Most comfortable cars in the UK 2022
Britain has some of the worst roads in Europe. Often, engineers develop cars that ride brilliantly, and they all congratulate themselves on a job well done. Then the cars are tested in the UK and it feels like they’re driving across the surface of the moon.
Yet British motorists, to the bewilderment of our European friends, also remain fans of sporty cars, with lowered suspension and super-large wheels. This is often a recipe for a poor ride quality. Combine it with the state of our roads, and you’ve something that jars and jolts like a racing car.
It doesn't have to be like this. Some cars still put the emphasis on comfort rather than ultimate cornering ability. You can still buy models that will soothe and caress, rather than bustle and bang.
If you simply want to sit back and enjoy the ride, no matter what roads you are driving on, read on to discover the most comfortable cars in the UK.
Rolls-Royce Phantom
We had to start with a Rolls-Royce. No car better epitomises a money-no-object focus on comfort and refinement above everything else. You don’t buy a Rolls-Royce to take on a track day, you buy it to be cosseted, and the latest Phantom does this better than any other car on the road. The fact it’s huge and heavy helps – it steamrollers bumps rather than riding into them. It has brilliantly over-engineered suspension that will be defeated by nothing you ever encounter, and it will soak away all the rough stuff in complete silence and serenity. Ride in the back of a Phantom for the ultimate in automotive indulgence.
Range Rover
The Range Rover is a famously comfortable car, thanks to its high-set seating position and brilliant air suspension. It’s designed to be masterful off-road – it’s way better than more overtly 4x4-style machines – and this means it’s engineered to cope with the worst a rough mountainside can throw at it. Once it can do this, British roads are a piece of cake. Adding to the wonderful comfort of the latest model are its refined interior, super-smooth engines and, in time, the silent-running appeal of plug-in hybrid and pure electric versions. It is easy to see why the waiting list for the new Range Rover is so lengthy – and growing all the time.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the car celebrities want to be seen stepping out of. A luxury car icon since the 1970s, it has always been about comfort rather than dynamic proficiency. The latest version is the best yet, with supple air suspension and even a forward-facing camera that scans the road and sets up the suspension to deal with bumps before it reaches them. Take it in regular or long-wheelbase guises, and consider the S 580 e plug-in hybrid version. It offers silent, vibration-free pure electric running for more than 60 miles. To ratchet up the comfort and refinement even more, choose the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.
Bentley Flying Spur
The Flying Spur is Bentley's impeccably-tuned flagship saloon that has a driver-pleasing dynamism from behind the wheel, but doesn’t neglect ride quality to achieve this. It rolls along in a hushed, soothing manner, shrugging off bumps with aplomb. Air suspension keeps things on an even keel and it’s a particularly fine experience from the rear seats, where occupants sit in plush armchairs with legroom to spare. They can enjoy a sporty V8 soundtrack, a monstrous W12, or up to 25 miles of electric running in the new Flying Spur Hybrid. Pick the epic Naim sound system for the UK’s most comfortable concert hall on wheels.
Jaguar XF
Jaguar is the master at developing executive cars with a brilliant balance between ride and handling. The latest XF is a particularly fine example. Through the corners, it is poised and responsive, with an alert feel to the steering and ample feedback for the driver. Yet it also rides in a very elegant way, with superb body control and a fine ability to absorb bumps without fuss. This is enhanced on the latest version with active noise cancellation, making the cabin even more hushed and comfortable. With prices starting from less than £34,000, the XF is a great way into a large and particularly comfortable car without breaking the bank.
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BMW 5 Series
We could have chosen the BMW 7 Series here, but the 5 Series is just as comfortable and, as it’s a little more compact, that bit more dynamic on country roads. Handling has always been a 5 Series forte and this latest version doesn’t let the side down. On a long motorway trip or trek through the city centre, though, it is impressively silent-running and smooth, with none of the irritating bustle you get in some driver-focused cars. The seats are superb for long distances, while those in the rear will enjoy more space than ever in the back of a 5 Series. Add in high-quality fixtures and build quality for a car that feels decidedly more upscale than its price tag suggests.
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Skoda Superb
Skoda is a brand that has long focused on ride quality. Even the entry-level Fabia supermini shows more prowess over broken roads than many of its rivals. For the best ride quality of all, however, you need the large and long-wheelbase Superb, a car that truly lives up to its name. The big Skoda is an impeccable cruiser, with low levels of noise and high levels of luxury, all enjoyed from a super-roomy interior that will keep you and your passengers comfortable for hours. If you choose the estate version, you’ll also have a vast boot, so even your luggage can travel in comfort.
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Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Ioniq 5 is Hyundai’s all-new electric car, which stands out courtesy of its wonderfully futuristic ‘cubist’ styling. It’s all straight lines and sharp creases, and we think it looks fantastic. It also has an interior that’s fully focused on comfort, with a calming layout and front seats that actually recline into a bed at the press of a button. Why not have a snooze while the car recharges? On the move, the suspension has been tuned to be soft and supple. It has no trouble smoothing out city surfaces, while the super-low noise levels you get in an EV further enhance the comfortable car experience.
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Citroen C4
Citroen has really found its way in recent years, building comfortable cars that are much more soothing and cosseting than its mainstream rivals. It even has a name for this approach: Citroen Advanced Comfort. This brings together components such as super-absorbent suspension and uniquely comfy seat coverings to its everyday cars. The family-sized C4 hatchback is a great example of this approach, proving more comfortable than even something like a Ford Focus. It is excellent at taking the edge of city streets and will make everything from the school run to the daily commute that little less stressful.
Dacia Sandero
Proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to buy a comfortable car is the Dacia Sandero. It’s Britain’s most affordable car, with prices starting from less than £12,000. Indeed, it’s this entry-level version that we think is the best of all; its small wheels and big tyre sidewalls do a brilliant job of soaking up harshness. The Sandero’s modern platform – the same as that underpinning the Renault Clio – is rigid and sophisticated, so is able to absorb lumps and bumps. Dacia has tuned it to handle rough, unmade roads with aplomb, meaning it should have no problem dealing with Britain’s scarred tarmac.
Which car has the most comfortable ride?
The Rolls-Royce Phantom has the most comfortable ride of any car in the UK. It’s this car's raison d’etre, and while it can go around corners, the real focus is how well it goes down a bumpy road without disturbing its occupants. Of course, all this comes at a price – it’s easy to spend £400,000 on a new Phantom without even trying – so if you want a more accessible car with a comfortable ride, look at something like the Jaguar XF or Hyundai Ioniq. Or indeed, the new Dacia Sandero.
Do I need a big car to get a comfortable ride?
You don’t necessarily need a big car to enjoy a comfortable ride. Of course, it helps, as the Rolls-Royce Phantom and new Range Rover prove, but other brands show that you can drive a cosseting car without it weighing almost three tonnes. The Citroen C4 is a great example of this – it is an everyday family car that has been developed with a full focus on comfort. The C4 delivers this via tricks such as supple suspension, tall-profile tyres and even a special type of fabric on the seats.
Which is the most comfortable and reliable car?
Big, expensive cars are not always the most reliable choices out there. Of course, they should be, but with so much technology on board, it’s easy for gremlins to crop up. If you want comfort and reliability, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a good bet. Hyundai is renowned for its reliability, proven by its five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, while electric cars themselves are simpler than petrol and diesel models. Dacia also has a great reputation for dependability, meaning the simple and straightforward Sandero should prove easy to own, along with serving up pleasant everyday comfort.
