According to the American Automobile Association, the average American spends 61 minutes a day in their car—about 15 full days each year—making comfort an increasingly important factor for car buyers.
What defines “comfort” can vary widely, from heated seats and plush interiors to roomy backseats for long road trips. As a result, the automotive market now offers a wide range of vehicles, from affordable family cars to luxury sedans, that prioritize a smooth and pleasant ride.
However, not all cars deliver on that front. In fact, there are still vehicles in production or regular use that are notoriously uncomfortable, sacrificing ride quality for price, size, or utility. Despite their drawbacks, many of these models remain surprisingly common.
So whether you’re hunting for the most relaxing drive or wondering which cars are most likely to leave you sore and stiff, it’s worth taking a closer look at both ends of the comfort spectrum.
Also Read: The 10 Most Reliable And 5 Least Reliable Hybrid Cars
10 Cars for Long Road Trips
Audi A7
The Audi A7 offers both comfort and strong performance, with a fancy interior and a 335-horsepower turbocharged V6 engine. It comes with three-zone climate control and leather seats as standard, and buyers can choose to upgrade to Valcona or Milano extra-high-quality leather.
These features help make the A7 a strong option in the luxury car category when it comes to comfort.
People sitting in the back seat—whether they’re kids or adults—are taken care of too. The easy-to-use LATCH anchor points make it simple to install child car seats.
There are many extra comfort features available for the A7, such as separate climate controls for the back seats, heated rear seats, and charging ports for mobile devices to help keep passengers entertained on longer drives.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is one of the most popular cars in the US, and there’s a good reason for that. It’s known for being dependable and for offering a comfortable ride for the whole family, which makes it a top choice for young families trying to stick to a budget.
Even though it’s affordable, that doesn’t mean it lacks comfort. You can choose between fake or real leather, and it has options like a heated steering wheel and front seats that can be both cooled and heated.
The Camry shows that a car can be both useful and pleasant to ride in. Installing and removing child car seats is also simple, so even the youngest passengers are considered when it comes to comfort.
For the 2024 model year, the Camry gives buyers a choice between two engines: a 203-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder or a 301-hp, 3.5-liter turbocharged V6, which won’t be around much longer.
And if you’re not into the design of the current model, the next generation, coming in 2025 is expected to be one of the best-looking sedans available.
Bentley Flying Spur
With its very high-end interior and smooth driving experience, the Bentley Flying Spur is among the most comfortable luxury cars you can buy, whether you’re behind the wheel or relaxing in the back seat while someone else drives. There’s a lot of space for passengers to stretch out, enjoy a drink, or take a work call.
Inside the Flying Spur, everything is made from top-quality materials like leather, wood, and metal. There’s a touchscreen in the back that lets passengers control their own comfort settings, like the temperature, window blinds, or the built-in massage system that helps relieve sore backs.
When it comes to engines, the Flying Spur Speed is the last version that comes with a W12, a special engine only Bentley uses.
It’s a twin-turbo 6.0-liter with 626 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, which can take the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 207 mph. Other versions have different engines: a 2.9-liter V6 hybrid that makes 536 hp, or a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 542 hp.
Mercedes-Maybach S 680
Even the regular version of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is one of the fanciest high-end cars you can buy. But the Maybach S 680 takes luxury and comfort even further.
It has an upgraded sound system with 30 speakers, seats in both the front and back that are heated and ventilated, and two extra screens in the back for passengers. The seats can also come with a massage feature, making the ride even more relaxing.
While you’re enjoying the comfort, the S 680 uses a smart suspension system that looks at the road ahead and adjusts itself to make the ride smoother over bumps and rough spots. If you want one of the most comfortable and luxurious cars for long trips and budget is not a concern, the S 680 is a great option.
The engine is something special too—a handcrafted 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 with 621 hp, making the car feel like it glides effortlessly.
BMW 7 Series/i7
Not everyone likes the new design of the BMW 7 Series, but we do. It’s packed with technology from front to back, and its interior is one of the most stylish and feature-filled we’ve seen. There’s a huge screen that folds down in the back and a glowing crystal-like bar across the dashboard.
It’s very comfortable whether you’re the one driving or sitting in the back, thanks to the helpful driving features, air suspension, and back seats that are soft, recline deeply, and include a massage function.
One of the most exciting things about the 7 Series is the range of engine options. There’s the six-cylinder 740i (375 hp), the V8 760i (536 hp), the plug-in hybrid 750e (483 hp), and the all-electric i7, which comes in three versions, including a powerful 650-hp M70 model.
The ride feels just as smooth as you’d expect from a high-end sedan. The four-zone climate control lets everyone choose their ideal temperature, and the premium sound system by Bowers & Wilkins lets you enjoy your favorite music with great quality.
Lexus ES
The Lexus ES is built on the same platform as the now-discontinued Toyota Avalon and brings together some of the best parts of the Lexus range in one car. It has the size of a Lexus IS, the roominess of a GS, and the comfort of an LS.
Even tall people will find a lot of legroom in both the front seats and the soft, couch-like back seat. The only drawback is that the rear seats do not fold down, which can make it harder to carry bigger items.
The ES uses a special kind of suspension called the Swing Valve Shock Absorber. This system reacts to even the smallest movements to keep the ride as smooth as possible.
Inside, the car is very quiet—even when driving on the highway. The ES also comes with a lot of safety features as standard, such as blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control to help keep you safe and comfortable while driving. There are three engine choices: a 203-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 302-hp, 3.5-liter V6, or a 215-hp hybrid.
Honda Civic
If you’re searching for a comfortable, family-friendly car that won’t cost too much, the Honda Civic could be just right. You can pick either a sedan or a hatchback version, depending on what fits your needs. The front seats are roomy and supportive. The standard version has cloth seats, but leather ones are available too. The back seat offers more legroom than most cars in the same class.
Besides that, it handles really well with smooth movements and an excellent ride for a smaller car.
The Civic comes with many standard driver help features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. So you’ll not only be riding in comfort, but with peace of mind, too. Thanks to its strong reputation for being reliable, the Civic is a smart pick for both long trips and everyday use without spending too much.
Genesis G80
An often-overlooked brand because of its slow start (though it’s now growing with new separate dealerships), Genesis gives drivers a high-end experience with the G80 midsize luxury sedan.
The inside of the car uses top-quality materials like real wood, aluminum, and leather. The seats are soft and supportive, with heating and cooling features in both the front and back, and there’s lots of space for your head and legs.
The cabin feels extra special thanks to soft interior lighting and a top-tier Lexicon sound system, along with an advanced entertainment setup that includes both a touchscreen and physical buttons.
On the safety and driver help side, the G80 comes standard with a highway driving assist system that includes features like lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. It drives smoothly and quietly, powered by either a 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder with 300 hp or a 3.5-liter turbo V6 with 375 hp and all-wheel drive.
Lucid Air
A newer name in the car world, Lucid is gaining attention as a fully electric luxury brand. The Air sedan offers an extremely long driving range (516 miles), making it one of the best electric cars for road trips without worrying about needing to recharge often. It’s also one of the most luxurious cars you can buy, winning the 2023 CarBuzz Awards for Electrified Luxury.
Thanks to clever design, the Air offers a large amount of space for passengers to stretch out. It features synthetic leather seats that are both heated and cooled, a massage function, a heated steering wheel, and power-operated sunshades for the back windows.
There’s a lot of room for luggage, too, with both a front and back trunk. A 21-speaker sound system adds to the experience, providing high-quality music for your trip. At the top of the Air lineup is the Sapphire model, which delivers an incredible 1,234 horsepower.
Volvo S90
With its great ride comfort and high-quality interior, the Volvo S90 is one of those rare cars where you may feel more relaxed when you arrive than when you left. The cabin uses premium materials like brushed metal and open-pore wood to give it a luxurious feeling.
The 14-way power seats can be adjusted in many ways to keep everyone feeling good, even during long trips. The S90 can be fitted with rear air suspension, which helps the car glide smoothly over rough roads, making every ride feel calm and quiet.
Volvo is well-known for making safe cars, and the S90 continues that tradition with standard features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
The base engine is a 295-hp four-cylinder mild hybrid with an eight-speed automatic, while other versions include twincharged and plug-in hybrid models with up to 455 hp and an electric-only range of 38 miles.
10 Cars to Avoid for Long Road Trips
2011 Ford Focus
Surprised? This hatchback is now one of the strongest choices out there, but earlier versions had trouble giving passengers a smooth and enjoyable ride. The biggest problem with the first Focus models was the very uncomfortable cloth seats and the really small amount of space on the back bench.
Besides the issues inside the car, the 2011 to 2016 versions are part of a class-action lawsuit about faulty transmissions. This lawsuit gives buyers who had problems with the transmission a chance to get their car repaired or even buy it back. While the 2019 version seems to have solved these problems, many people who care about comfort still may not want to sit in a Focus.
1997 Dodge Viper SRT
In some ways, the Viper SRT is a very strange car. Compared to other modern sports cars, the Viper is likely the noisiest and least comfortable. The engine under its huge hood is as big as a coffin. This is the famous naturally-aspirated 8.0L V10, which gives off so much heat that it makes the inside of the car very hard to sit in.
That becomes even worse because the cabin is very tight and looks low-quality, filled with black plastic and leather that makes it feel even warmer. What’s interesting is that none of this changes how cool and special the Viper is, or the fact that almost every car lover, at some point, wants to own one.
2004 Fiat Panda
Even though its design borrows a lot from the well-known Fiat Multipla, the second-generation Panda isn’t a bad-looking vehicle. It offers a decent mix between a small budget hatchback and an SUV. Sadly, it was named one of the least comfortable cars to drive, according to a seating comfort survey done by Auto Express in 2015 with responses from 61,000 drivers in England.
The Fiat Panda is only 139 inches (3.538 meters) long, yet it still manages to fit five people inside, which is quite an achievement given how little space it actually has to work with.
2005 Citroen C1
The C1 has several qualities, but comfort is not one of them. It’s definitely a small, affordable car that many like because of its cute and useful design. While no one really expects the C1 to be roomy, its space might actually be one of its stronger points. But if you spend more time inside, it becomes clear why it’s considered one of the least comfortable cars you can buy.
The low-cost seats and harsh plastic make the inside feel unpleasant, and the engine becomes very loud once you go over 50 mph. There are many small things that make the C1 harder to live with, such as rear windows that don’t roll down (even in the four-door version), a very small trunk, an awkward backseat position, a lack of safety and comfort features, a steering wheel that can’t be adjusted, and more.
VW New Beetle
The Beetle has one of the longest production histories in the car industry. First made in 1938 as a five-seat economy car in Germany, it had plenty of time to become one of the most well-known and loved models ever made. But now, the Beetle seems outdated, as the five (or sometimes four) seats just don’t give enough space or comfort for today’s passengers.
Even though the New Beetle includes many changes in design and technology, it’s still a four-seater with a very short length of just 8’3″ (252 cm). That makes the inside feel extremely tight and uncomfortable. When you add the hard seats and cheap features, it’s easy to see why many people say the Beetle is the most uncomfortable car they’ve ever been in.
2004 Nissan Note
When the Note came out in 2004, people were excited about it. But it soon showed that it wasn’t a good choice for long drives, as it felt very uncomfortable.
An Auto Express Survey of 61,000 drivers even ranked it as one of the least comfortable cars. While the inside does offer more room than other cars in its class, that benefit is canceled out by how little comfort and quality it actually provides.
The dashboard is covered in plastic and only includes the most basic features, while the seats are too firm and not pleasant to sit on. On top of that, even the strongest version of the engine — a 110-horsepower 1.5L petrol — makes the car loud and struggles to move it properly. But it looks like Nissan realized this problem and made things better in newer versions.
2005 Kia Rio
Just like the Picanto, the 2005 Kia Rio let down many of its owners by giving one of the worst experiences for passengers. While no one expects a lot from a minicar that costs under $15,000, the very stiff suspension, hard seats, and plain, squeaky plastic interior with only the most basic features are still very disappointing.
The front seats have okay space for a small car, but the back bench feels really tight and uncomfortable, even though it’s supposed to fit three people. Because of all these things, the Kia Rio came in third place in a Which? survey about the least comfortable cars.
2008 Hyundai i20
Hyundai is another car brand that often shows up on the wrong side when it comes to comfort, especially with the first generation of the i20. This model is considered one of the least comfortable cars to drive, based on the 2015 Auto Express study focused on seat comfort.
The seats in this version of the i20 are hard and not well made, which can leave your back hurting after longer trips. The cheap plastic inside doesn’t help either, especially compared to other cars like the Ford Focus, which offer better quality interiors.
2004 Kia Picanto
The first version of the Picanto was designed as a cheap option for short city trips. While it’s filled with plastic parts and comes with only the most basic features, it still offers okay space inside when compared to similar small cars. But you definitely shouldn’t expect it to do well on longer highway journeys.
Based on a Which? survey of 39,000 drivers, the Picanto is one of the worst cars to ride in for long distances. It gives a rough and shaky ride, and the cheap, hard seats don’t help at all, as they were clearly made just for short drives around town.
1996 Ford Ka
Trying to find a cheap and comfortable car? This isn’t it. Even though it was seen as a fun and stylish low-cost city car when it first launched, the Ka quickly showed that it was just another hard and uncomfortable Ford.
The first generation, which was made until 2008, is ranked as the least comfortable car on the road by a Which? survey that asked 39,000 drivers.
Also Read: 10 Trustworthy Japanese Cars and 5 That Let Drivers Down
Some owners have been very outspoken about how bad their experience with the Ford Ka has been.
For anyone sitting in the back, the Ka is a terrible place to be, and the front seats aren’t much better. Sure, it will take you where you need to go without spending a lot at first, but you might end up spending more later on visits to the chiropractor.
