The Most Comfortable Midsize SUV for Long Trips, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the midsize SUV you think is the most comfortable!

Updated on Apr 24, 2024 06:33

Picture planning a lengthy road trip with family or friends, where comfort becomes as crucial as the destination itself. Selecting the right midsize SUV for this journey ensures that every mile brings enjoyment rather than stress. A vehicle characterized by spacious seating, smooth ride quality, and ample amenities transforms a routine drive into a delightful experience. That's why knowing which SUVs meet these criteria is essential. This ranking is continuously updated by real users who share their firsthand experiences. Whether you’re a frequent traveler aiming for your next adventure or someone looking forward to your first road trip, participating in this vote can help clarify which SUVs deliver comfort and satisfaction on long drives. Your contribution not only influences the rankings but also assists others in making well-informed decisions.

What Is the Most Comfortable Midsize SUV for Long Trips?

1

53
votes
Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0

Honda Pilot

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

The Pilot has a spacious and comfortable interior with a smooth ride, making it an ideal choice for long trips. (
The Honda Pilot is a midsize SUV that offers a spacious and comfortable interior, making it one of the most comfortable models in the Honda lineup. It is designed to provide a smooth and refined ride, making long drives a pleasure for both the driver and passengers.

Engine: 3.5L V6

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Seating Capacity: 8 passengers

Cargo Space: Up to 83.9 cubic feet

Fuel Efficiency: Up to 20 city / 27 highway MPG
Honda Pilot in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most reliable Honda SUV
- Position 5 of 10 in Most comfortable Honda
2

18
votes
IFCAR · Public domain

Toyota Highlander

Toyota

The Highlander boasts excellent fuel economy, a comfortable ride, and a roomy interior, making it a great choice for longer trips. (
The Toyota Highlander is a midsize SUV known for its impressive comfort and reliability. It offers a spacious and well-designed cabin, making it an excellent choice for long trips. The Highlander is manufactured by Toyota, a renowned Japanese automaker known for producing high-quality vehicles.

Engine: 3.5L V6

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Seating Capacity: 7 or 8 passengers

Cargo Space: 13.8-16.0 cu ft behind 3rd row, 42.3-48.4 cu ft with 3rd row folded, 83.7-87.0 cu ft with 2nd and 3rd rows folded

Fuel Efficiency: Up to 21 city / 29 highway mpg
Toyota Highlander in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most comfortable Toyota
- Position 3 of 10 in Most comfortable Toyota SUV
- Position 6 of 10 in Most reliable 10-year-old SUV
3

11
votes
EurovisionNim · CC BY-SA 4.0

Mazda CX-9

Mazda

The CX-9 has a well-designed interior and a smooth ride, making it an excellent choice for long trips. (
The Mazda CX-9 is a midsize crossover SUV that offers an exceptionally comfortable and luxurious experience for the whole family. With its spacious interior, advanced technology features, and premium materials, it provides a smooth and enjoyable ride.

Seating Capacity: 7 passengers

Engine: 2.5L Turbocharged SKYACTIV-G

Power: 250 horsepower

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Fuel Efficiency: 22 MPG city / 28 MPG highway
Mazda CX-9 in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular Mazda car
4

16
votes
Kevauto · CC BY-SA 4.0

Subaru Ascent

Subaru

The Ascent has a spacious and comfortable interior with a smooth and quiet ride, making it ideal for longer trips. (
The Subaru Ascent is a spacious and comfortable family car designed to cater to the needs of larger families. It offers a combination of functionality, reliability, and advanced safety features to ensure a smooth and enjoyable ride.

Seating Capacity: Up to 8 passengers

Cargo Space: Up to 86.5 cubic feet with seats folded

Engine: 2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER engine

Power: 260 horsepower

Fuel Efficiency: Up to 27 MPG highway
Subaru Ascent in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most comfortable Subaru
- Position 3 of 10 in Most reliable new SUV
5

12
votes
Gold Pony · CC BY 3.0

Kia Telluride

Kia Motors

The Telluride has a roomy and luxurious interior with a comfortable ride, making it a great choice for long road trips. (
The Kia Telluride is a mid-size SUV that offers exceptional comfort and a luxurious driving experience. It is designed to provide ample space for passengers and a smooth ride on both city streets and off-road terrains. With its stylish exterior, spacious interior, and advanced safety features, the Kia Telluride is a top choice for those in search of comfort and versatility.

Engine: 3.8-liter Lambda V6

Power: 291 horsepower

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Seating Capacity: 7 or 8 passengers

Cargo Space: 21 cubic feet behind third row, 46 cubic feet behind second row, 87 cubic feet behind first row
Kia Telluride in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most comfortable Kia
- Position 7 of 10 in Most reliable new SUV
6

12
votes
IFCAR · Public domain

Chevrolet Traverse

Chevrolet

The Traverse has a spacious and comfortable interior, a smooth ride, and excellent fuel economy, making it a great choice for long trips. (
The Chevrolet Traverse is a midsize SUV known for its exceptional comfort and spaciousness, making it an excellent choice for long trips. With its stylish design and numerous features, it offers a pleasant and enjoyable driving experience.

Seating capacity: Up to 8 passengers

Cargo space: Up to 98.2 cu ft

Engine options: 3.6L V6

Horsepower: 310 hp

Fuel economy: Up to 27 MPG highway
Chevrolet Traverse in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most reliable Chevrolet SUV
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular Chevrolet car
7

12
votes
Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0

Ford Explorer

Ford Motor Company

The Explorer has a comfortable ride, a spacious interior, and good fuel economy, making it a great choice for long trips. (
The Ford Explorer is a midsize SUV known for its comfort and suitability for long trips. It combines spaciousness, advanced features, and a smooth ride to provide an enjoyable driving experience.

Seating Capacity: 7

Cargo Space: 21 cubic feet behind 3rd row, 56.7 cubic feet behind 2nd row, 87.8 cubic feet behind 1st row

Engine Options: 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, 3.0L EcoBoost V6, 3.3L Hybrid V6

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Fuel Efficiency: Up to 21 city / 28 highway MPG
Ford Explorer in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular Ford car
- Position 8 of 10 in Most reliable 10-year-old SUV
8

5
votes
Alexander-93 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Hyundai Palisade

Hyundai

The Palisade has a comfortable and spacious interior, a smooth ride, and good fuel economy, making it a great choice for long trips. (
The Hyundai Palisade is a spacious and luxurious family car designed for utmost comfort. It offers a smooth and quiet ride with a range of advanced features and impressive safety technologies. With three rows of seating, it can accommodate up to eight passengers, making it ideal for larger families or those who frequently travel with a group.

Engine: 3.8L V6

Seating Capacity: Up to 8 passengers

Cargo Space: 18.0 cubic feet (behind 3rd row)

Fuel Economy: Up to 19 MPG city / 26 MPG highway

Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Hyundai Palisade in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most reliable new SUV
9

9
votes
IFCAR · Public domain

Dodge Durango

Dodge

The Durango has a spacious and comfortable interior, a smooth ride, and excellent towing capacity, making it a great choice for long trips. (
The Dodge Durango is a midsize SUV known for its comfortable and spacious interior, making it an excellent choice for long trips. It offers a smooth and quiet ride, along with powerful engine options for a responsive driving experience. With its versatile seating and ample cargo space, the Durango provides convenience and flexibility for both passengers and luggage. Built with a sturdy construction, it provides a sense of reliability and durability. The stylish exterior design of the Durango adds to its appeal, making it an attractive option for those seeking both comfort and aesthetics.

Seating Capacity: Up to 7 passengers

Cargo Space: Up to 84.5 cubic feet

Engine Options: 3.6L V6, 5.7L V8, 6.4L V8

Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic

Maximum Horsepower: 475 hp
Dodge Durango in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular Dodge
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular police car
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular full-size SUV
- Position 10 of 10 in Most reliable Chrysler
10

2
votes
EurovisionNim · CC BY-SA 4.0

Nissan Pathfinder

Nissan

The Pathfinder has a comfortable interior, a smooth ride, and good fuel economy, making it a good choice for long trips. (
The Nissan Pathfinder is a spacious and comfortable family car that offers a versatile and capable driving experience. It combines a stylish design with advanced features to provide a smooth and enjoyable ride for both driver and passengers.

Seating Capacity: 7 passengers

Engine Options: 3.5-liter V6 engine

Transmission: Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)

Fuel Efficiency: Up to 27 MPG highway

Cargo Space: Up to 79.5 cubic feet
Nissan Pathfinder in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most reliable Nissan SUV
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular Nissan model
- Position 7 of 10 in Most reliable 10-year-old SUV
- Position 8 of 10 in Most reliable foreign SUV

Missing your favorite midsize SUV?

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Ranking factors for comfortable midsize SUV

Seat comfort

Look for well-bolstered, supportive seats with adequate cushioning and adjustable lumbar support. Heated and ventilated seats can also help improve comfort on long journeys.
Ride quality

A vehicle that offers a smooth, quiet ride with minimal road and wind noise is ideal for long trips. Test drive potential SUVs on various road surfaces to assess the ride quality.
Interior space

Ample headroom, legroom, and hip room for all passengers will allow everyone to stay comfortable during long drives.
Cargo capacity

Ensure there is sufficient cargo space for luggage, especially if you plan on carrying several passengers.
Infotainment and connectivity

A user-friendly and intuitive multimedia system that supports smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto) will help keep passengers entertained and connected during long trips.
Cruise control and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)

Adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring can provide additional comfort and safety on long trips.
Fuel efficiency

A fuel-efficient SUV will save you money on gas and reduce the number of refueling stops needed during long drives.
Climate control

A dual or tri-zone automatic climate control system allows different passengers to set desired temperatures, increasing comfort.
Visibility

Good visibility from the driver's seat reduces fatigue and increases safety during long drives.
Reliability

A reliable vehicle with a history of few issues will save you time and money on repairs before or during your long trips. Check to see if the manufacturer offers a comprehensive warranty as well.
Seat adjustability and memory settings

Power-adjustable seats with memory settings allow different drivers to quickly find their preferred seating position, improving comfort on lengthy trips.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most comfortable midsize SUV for long trips. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or midsize SUV is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

3102 views
151 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each midsize SUV once every 24 hours. The rank of each midsize SUV is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most comfortable midsize suv for long trips

When it comes to taking long trips, having a comfortable ride is essential. And for those who prefer the versatility of an SUV, midsize models offer the perfect balance of space, performance, and fuel efficiency. But with so many options available, it can be difficult to determine which midsize SUV is the most comfortable for long journeys. Factors like interior space, seating comfort, and amenities all contribute to the overall comfort level of a midsize SUV. Additionally, features like noise reduction technology, suspension systems, and advanced safety features can make a significant difference in how enjoyable a long ride can be. To help you make an informed decision, we've analyzed the top midsize SUVs on the market and compiled a list of the most comfortable options for extended trips. Whether you're planning a cross-country road trip or simply want a comfortable daily driver, our rankings will help you find the perfect midsize SUV for your needs.