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10 of the Most Comfortable Cars in 2017

CR
by Colin Ryan
May 22, 2017
4 min. Reading Time
163263 The new Volvo XC90 ・  Photo by Volvo

163263 The new Volvo XC90 ・ Photo by Volvo

Our 10 most comfortable cars come mainly from the premium end of the automotive spectrum. That’s because makers of cheaper cars tend to cut corners and make savings wherever possible, so not many are prepared to go the extra mile in the pampering department. It’s all part of the “get what you pay for” rule of life. But we’ve deliberately avoided the ultra-expensive Bentleys and Rolls-Royces. Car comfort is important. An uncomfortable and tired driver is not a particularly safe driver. And if we’re prepared to spend good money on a mattress because we spend a third of our lives sleeping, then — considering how much of our lives we spend on the road — why not splash out for a pleasurable driving experience as well?

2017 Audi A4

Even the entry level trim, Premium, comes standard with leather upholstery. The regular seats are well-shaped and supportive, able to help keep a driver alert yet unfatigued for extended trips. The optional sport seats, however, have the added attractions of greater lateral support (even at shoulder blade level) for those times when you just have to attack that corner and want to be held snugly in place. And they have extendable under-thigh support, which is the kind of thing you never want to do without once you’ve experienced it. The cabin is also pleasantly tranquil, while the clean and elegant shapes are easy on the eye. This generation of A4 is all-new for 2017.

 Photo by Audi

Photo by Audi

2017 BMW 5 Series

The new-for-2017 5 Series premium midsize sedan is just one of several BMW cars available with multi-contour seats for the driver and front passenger. They have 20-way power adjustment so — in addition to the usual parameters — the headrests, upper back section, side bolsters, and lumbar can all be manipulated for the ideal shape. Then those settings can be stored along with the positions of the side mirrors and the power-adjustable steering column. They also come with a massaging function and ventilation. We are perfectly aware that options in German cars are pricey, but these multi-contour seats are undoubtedly worth the extra. Not comfort-related, but there’s also the cool option of remote parking using a smartphone.

 Photo by BMW

Photo by BMW

2017 Chevrolet Impala

Remarkable comfort for the regular guy. Or woman. Chevrolet doesn’t give the Impala’s 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat any fancy names and there are no endorsements from famous chiropractors (if any chiropractors are famous). These seats are simply well-shaped, with generous cushioning and excellent support. The same goes for the back seats. Rear legroom measures 39.8 inches, which is on the generous side. If four 6-footers and their luggage had to take a road trip, they would find the Impala to be a most suitable choice. As long as it had the optional 305-hp V6. They would also like the smooth ride and quiet cabin.

 Photo by Chevrolet

Photo by Chevrolet

2017 Genesis G90

Aktion Gesunder Rücken (AGR) is a German initiative for healthier backs. The link between this group of Teutonic doctors and therapists and a Korean newcomer to the luxury car scene is the G90’s driver’s seat. It’s a 22-way, power-adjustable item with bolsters, shoulder support and under-thigh extension which has been so well designed and executed that it has received the AGR’s seal of approval. This is just one of many details that all accumulate to provide a true luxury experience. Here’s another: hollow sections in the alloy wheels to reduce road and tire noise. Who could have guessed that such a thing would work? The research and development that goes into automotive comfort is pretty intense.

 Photo by Genesis

Photo by Genesis

2017 Jaguar XF

Comfort isn’t just about how well-cushioned the seats are. The suspension also has to make a meaningful contribution. This is where the XF excels. It will snake over rough road surfaces like they were made of glass. But it’s not so soft that the car will wallow around corners and make everyone seasick — so that’s a different kind of discomfort avoided. It’s the sinewy balance between control and coddling that Jaguars do incredibly well, the XF premium midsize sedan in particular. And yes, the seats are also ideal for long trips. Incidentally, the 19-cubic feet trunk is one of the best in its class. If the German rivals are too commonplace and the Japanese alternatives too odd-looking, check out the XF.

 Photo by Jaguar

Photo by Jaguar

2017 Land Rover Range Rover

Admittedly, this list is supposed to feature 10 most comfortable cars. But the Range Rover is so special that it’s worth the risk of upsetting the more pedantic among us. As well as being able to go quite a long way off-road yet still provide a serene environment for its occupants, the Range Rover has one of the great interiors — beautifully designed, and with excellent woods and leathers. No wonder the British royals are partial to a Range Rover. The Terrain Response System deals with how to get up or down that rocky hill and passengers don’t even feel it working. There’s also a stretched SVAutobiography LWB version for private jet-like accommodations, albeit at a similarly high price.

 Photo by Land Rover

Photo by Land Rover

2017 Lincoln Continental

The 2017 Continental’s optional 30-way power-adjustable seats are called Perfect Position and (so far) they enjoy the highest number of individual adjustments it’s possible to have in a car. There are even separate cushions for each thigh, each with their own extension. The idea is that both legs can be totally supported even though one has to work the pedals. The seats are also covered in perforated fine leather. That’s just one luxury aspect. When it’s time for a routine service (booked via an app, if so desired), the company will also come and collect the car, then return it later. So Lincoln owners don’t even have to leave the comfort of their own homes.

 Photo by Lincoln

Photo by Lincoln

2017 Mercedes-Maybach S600

This is about as comfortable as it’s possible to be without going for the full Rolls-Royce experience. It’s doubtful that anyone reclined in the back of this stretched-wheelbase large sedan will look enviously at a Phantom. Not when there’s an ionized air system caressing their nostrils, a remarkably clear Burmester sound system tickling their eardrums and a “hot stone” seat massaging function doing whatever to their whatevers. They’ll bury their feet in the deep-pile lambswool rug, sip on their chilled champagne, run their fingers over the fine leather upholstery and congratulate themselves on a career of excellent choices. Some of these features are part of the Executive Rear Seat options package, but they’re probably within a Maybach buyer’s means.

 Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

2017 Toyota Avalon

The Avalon is a little humble among this high-class comfy crowd. But there’s nothing humble about its ability to calm and cosset. This roomy sedan has always made comfort one of its big selling points. Sometimes it’s even been too soft for many people’s tastes. This generation, which debuted in 2013, brings a little more control, but there’s still no danger of being shaken and stirred. Instead, we have levels of quality that approach Lexus standards, a suite of advanced safety features as part of the basic price, leather upholstery and a thrumming 268-hp 3.5-liter V6, because no one should feel tense trying to get up to freeway speed. Owners can also take comfort in Toyota’s reputation for virtually bombproof reliability.

 Photo by Toyota

Photo by Toyota

2017 Volvo XC90

Volvo makes really comfortable and supportive seats, and they go in all the company’s models. The reason we’re featuring the XC90’s seats is that they go beyond mere comfort while traveling. Should all the other systems like lane-keeping assistance and forward collision mitigation not help to keep this full-size premium SUV on the road (imagine having to take some extreme evasive action), the seats are designed to absorb the greater shocks that come from leaving the tarmac. And the seat belts tighten automatically to keep the occupant firmly in place. This cuts down the possibility of spinal damage. In terms of extreme comfort, the high-end Excellence trim makes the rear section a haven for two.

 Photo by Volvo

Photo by Volvo


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