Modern automotive technology has revolutionized what it means to ride in comfort, especially on less-than-perfect roads. Certain vehicles stand out for their ability to float over potholes and imperfections while maintaining interior serenity.
This section highlights five such vehicles known for their advanced suspension systems and premium ride quality. From adaptive damping to intelligent chassis systems, these cars were designed to smooth out the harshness of real-world driving.
Whether luxury sedans or premium hybrids, they excel not just in straight-line comfort but also in handling rough patches without unsettling the cabin or driver, ensuring a truly refined driving experience.
5 Cars That Stay Smooth on Rough Roads
1. Lincoln MKZ: Adaptive Grace on Every Surface
The 2017 Lincoln MKZ sets the tone for smooth rides with its standard continuously controlled damping system, which adjusts suspension performance up to 500 times per second. This system responds dynamically to both road conditions and driver input.
The MKZ even includes a pothole detection system that minimizes tire drop, reducing harsh jolts. Lincoln Drive Control offers three settings—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—so drivers can fine-tune their experience.
Notably, the technology comes standard even in the MKZ Hybrid, which offers excellent fuel economy at 41 mpg. Together, these features deliver a plush, composed ride regardless of surface imperfections.
2. Cadillac XTS: Luxury Through Magnetic Suspension
The 2017 Cadillac XTS rides with remarkable smoothness, thanks to a trio of advanced suspension technologies. Central to this is the Magnetic Ride Control system, which assesses the road 1,000 times per second and adjusts damping in just five milliseconds.
Rear air springs and a front HiPer Strut suspension enhance handling and absorb impacts with finesse. This combination significantly reduces torque steer and improves steering feel.
For added stability, a Haldex all-wheel drive system distributes torque both front-to-back and side-to-side. Altogether, the XTS delivers a seamless, confident ride that meets Cadillac’s reputation for American luxury comfort.
3. Buick LaCrosse: Redesigned With Ride in Mind
The 2017 Buick LaCrosse emerged from a redesign focused on enhancing comfort and road manners. It features an available HiPer Strut front suspension for improved impact isolation and steering precision.
Complementing this is a dual-clutch all-wheel-drive system and Continuous Damping Control, allowing the LaCrosse to react intelligently to varying road conditions. At the rear, a five-link suspension setup boosts lateral stability while minimizing roll motion.
Combined, these systems create a serene driving experience, even over rough or uneven surfaces. Buick succeeded in crafting a full-size sedan that delivers premium ride quality without compromising on value or control.
4. Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Predicting the Road Ahead
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class enhances ride comfort with Magic Body Control, a suspension system that anticipates road imperfections before the car encounters them. By using stereo cameras to scan the road ahead, it proactively adjusts the suspension for a smoother, more composed drive.
This system, now upgraded, includes a CURVE feature that tilts the car into bends to counteract body roll. Such foresight makes the ride feel almost surreal in its smoothness.
Even in challenging road conditions, the S-Class maintains impeccable composure. It’s a masterclass in engineering, proving why this Mercedes remains a benchmark for luxury and ride refinement globally.
5. Audi A8 L: Floating on Adaptive Air
The 2017 Audi A8 L employs an adaptive air suspension paired with adjustable dampers to deliver a buttery-smooth ride. The system replaces conventional springs with air-based components that adjust in milliseconds based on road texture.
This ensures superior comfort and a near-floating sensation at cruising speeds. Passengers in the rear enjoy additional luxuries, including heated and ventilated seats with massage functions.
The A8 L’s German precision and engineering excellence make it ideal for long journeys or urban commuting, shielding occupants from both road harshness and fatigue. It’s a top-tier contender for drivers who prioritize peace and poise.
These five vehicles exemplify how cutting-edge suspension systems can elevate driving to a luxurious, smooth experience. From magnetic ride controls to camera-based predictive dampers, each car has been designed to handle real-world imperfections gracefully.
Their ability to isolate cabin occupants from jarring inputs while maintaining dynamic handling redefines what a comfortable ride means. Whether traversing city potholes or cruising highways, these cars prove that modern automotive engineering can make even the roughest roads feel like silk. If comfort, refinement, and ride serenity are top priorities, these models represent the best that today’s auto industry has to offer.
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5 That Shake Like Toys
Not all cars are built with ride quality and refinement in mind. Budget-focused models often cut corners on materials, suspension tuning, and assembly quality. The result? Cars that rattle, buzz, and creak like toys when faced with even mild road imperfections.
While affordable, these vehicles frequently lack proper noise insulation and structural rigidity, which makes long-term ownership feel more like enduring a constant vibration test.
In this section, we examine five such models that, despite their affordability or charm, fall short in cabin tranquility and build quality. For sensitive ears and comfort-seeking drivers, they’re better approached with caution.
1. Fiat 500: Small Car, Big Noises
The Fiat 500 may charm with its retro design and maneuverability, but it falls flat in interior build quality. Lightweight, hollow plastics dominate the cabin, and these often creak and rattle even on smooth roads. Poor fastener quality means dash panels, glove boxes, and A-pillars loosen over time, causing persistent interior noise.
The short wheelbase and stiff suspension only amplify these vibrations, making every road bump a test of patience. Cold weather worsens the creaking as plastic contracts. For all its aesthetic appeal, the Fiat 500 feels more like a plastic toy over time than a solid urban commuter.
2. Mitsubishi Mirage: Cost Cuts You Can Hear
The Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the cheapest new cars on the market, and unfortunately, it sounds like it. Its cabin is filled with hard, thin plastics that rattle, buzz, and creak with minimal provocation.
Everything from dashboard panels to cup holder trim emits noise during daily driving. Weight-saving measures eliminated soundproofing, so road noise and vibrations echo throughout the cabin.
Even leaning on a door or adjusting a seat can trigger clicking sounds. While affordable and efficient, the Mirage’s lack of interior quality quickly becomes fatiguing. It’s a textbook case of how extreme cost-cutting impacts real-world comfort.
3. Nissan Versa: Too Much Plastic, Too Little Damping
The Nissan Versa has earned praise for its value and spacious interior, but ride comfort isn’t part of the package, especially in pre-2020 models. Its interior is filled with hard plastic panels that rattle and shift with vibration. Dashboard seams, door handles, and center console areas are common sources of unwanted noise.
Poor NVH insulation allows engine and road sounds to filter directly into the cabin, giving every drive a background buzz. Over time, the interior sounds worsen as components loosen. While recent models have improved, the older Versa feels less like a cohesive vehicle and more like a kit of parts.
4. Ford Fiesta (Older Models): Spirited but Shaky
The Ford Fiesta, especially pre-2018 versions, mixes playful driving dynamics with a toy-like interior experience. While it’s fun to drive, the interior quickly develops squeaks and rattles. Glossy plastic trims around the infotainment area, glove box, and doors vibrate over time.
Suspension tuning prioritizes sporty handling over comfort, causing the body to flex and transmitting those motions into creaky joints. Rear seats and HVAC vents are also known for buzzing during highway drives. These noises often worsen as the car ages, making even simple commutes aurally tiring. In older Fiestas, the drive may be lively, but the cabin sure isn’t.
5. Chevrolet Spark: Built Light, Sounds Loud
The Chevrolet Spark is an urban-focused car with decent fuel efficiency and easy parking abilities, but its cabin refinement is subpar. Door cards thump hollowly, dash panels squeak when touched, and even the seat frames can make metallic noises under stress. The lack of insulation means road texture is transmitted directly to passengers.
The audio system can even make the surrounding plastics resonate. The Spark’s lightweight frame and basic suspension translate into bouncy, jostling rides that amplify interior vibrations. It may be cheap to own, but over time, the noisy experience adds up, making it feel more disposable than dependable.
These five cars may appeal with low prices or quirky style, but their noisy cabins and flimsy construction undermine long-term satisfaction. Budget plastics, lack of insulation, and minimal damping turn everyday driving into an experience filled with rattles and squeaks.
While they fulfill their purpose as affordable transportation, they lack the refinement expected from modern vehicles. For drivers sensitive to noise or looking for a serene commute, these models might prove more irritating than economical. Ultimately, comfort isn’t just a luxury feature—it’s a cornerstone of quality. And in these cases, it’s the first thing to go.
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