Credit: Subaru
Comfort is one of the hardest things to shop for in a new car. Spec sheets don't tell you whether the seats hold up on a four-hour drive, whether road noise bleeds through at highway speeds, or whether getting in and out requires an awkward duck and a high step. Those gaps matter over time, and a car that feels fine on a 20-minute test drive can become a source of daily friction.
Consumer Reports scored vehicles across seven categories — including ride quality, driving position, front- and rear-seat comfort, access, noise, and controls usability — to find the top performer in each class.
1 / 9
Credit: Honda
At $32,370, the CR-V leads Consumer Reports' compact SUV class. Tall door openings and hip-height seats make it easy to step over the narrow doorsill and settle in without effort. The cabin is roomy, with almost no intrusion from the center console into driver or passenger knee space, and the 60/40 rear seat reclines for long-haul comfort. CR found the controls easy to use, with physical buttons and knobs that reduce the need to navigate touchscreen menus while driving. While the ride runs firm, the suspension absorbs most bumps without passing harshness into the cabin.
2 / 9
Credit: Subaru
The $35,445 Crosstrek Hybrid earned the highest rating in Consumer Reports' subcompact SUV class. The Sport Hybrid trim adds a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support as standard equipment, giving it a comfort edge over most rivals. Most testers found the front seats supportive on longer drives, and the suspension handles road imperfections with a composure CR rarely encounters at this price point. The rear seat offers good leg support and well-positioned armrests, though taller passengers will find headroom tight because of the sloping roofline.
3 / 9
Credit: Honda
Starting at $46,200, the Passport leads Consumer Reports' midsized two-row SUV class. The doors open wide and occupants need only a slight duck to clear the roofline before stepping over slim, flush door sills. Wide seat and steering wheel adjustability lets most drivers find a comfortable position without much trial and error, and CR noted a clear view of the gauges through the steering wheel. Front seat padding is firm, but that firmness translates well to long-haul support, and the rear seat provides ample headroom, knee room, and underleg support. Most controls are physical buttons and knobs, logically placed and within easy reach.
4 / 9
Credit: Subaru
The $40,795 Ascent earned the highest score of any midsized three-row SUV in Consumer Reports' testing. Its ride is the standout quality, absorbing bumps and potholes without the body pitching or wallowing. CR recommends at least the Premium trim, which includes an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, while the Limited adds power adjustment for the front passenger and more supportive leather seating. Cabin noise is exceptionally quiet given the vehicle's size and boxy shape. Whether configured with captain's chairs or a bench seat, the second row is spacious, with supportive seats that recline.
5 / 9
Credit: Acura
Starting at $36,450, the ADX leads Consumer Reports' luxury compact SUV class. Front doors swing wide to reveal a tall, expansive entryway that makes sliding in and out of the front seats simple. CR found the ADX's usability score to be its highest individual rating, crediting a controls layout shared with the Integra that includes dedicated knobs for temperature, fan speed, and audio volume. Ride comfort is more absorbent than some entry-level luxury rivals, and the suspension keeps most bumps muted despite a firm tune. The rear seat has comfortable padding and a livable seatback angle, though the low bottom cushion provides limited underleg support.
6 / 9
Credit: BMW
BMW prices the X5 xDrive50e from $76,000, and Consumer Reports rated it higher than any luxury midsized SUV in its evaluations. The PHEV version rides better than the standard X5, with the suspension managing road disturbances so effectively that passengers rarely feel them in the cabin. Interior materials throughout are soft and well-fitted, the front seats adjust across a wide range for all-day driving comfort, and the optional armrest heaters make cold-weather starts more bearable. The cabin is among the quietest CR evaluated in this class. Shorter drivers may find their legs brush the doorsill when exiting, and the rear seat cushion offers less thigh support than some rivals.
7 / 9
Credit: Honda
At $33,795, the Accord Hybrid leads Consumer Reports' midsized car class. Its usability rating was perfect, with CR praising an infotainment system described as easy to navigate alongside physical climate controls with large, easy-to-grasp knobs. The rear seat is notably plush, with generous knee room and foot room that make it more comfortable than the front for many passengers. Like most sedans, the Accord Hybrid sits low, so entering and exiting requires more effort than in an SUV. The 19-inch tires on upper trims create a tenseness on sharp bumps that the 17-inch wheels on the base Accord EX don't produce, a tradeoff worth considering when choosing a trim level.
8 / 9
Credit: Cadillac
The CT5 starts at $50,095 and tops Consumer Reports' luxury midsized car class. Front seats are comfortable and supportive with a four-way lumbar adjustment, and CR found the driver has a wide enough range of seat and steering wheel settings to get comfortable without effort. The center console intrudes on the driver's right knee, though that spot is at least lightly padded. Rear-seat room is decent in every direction except headroom, which is compromised by the sloping roofline. Road and wind noise are well isolated, though a rough engine note intrudes during hard acceleration, which CR noted is uncharacteristic for a car in this class.
9 / 9
Credit: Honda
Honda $HMC's Odyssey starts at $42,795 and tops Consumer Reports' minivan class. Front and second-row access is effortless, with big door openings, low sills, and easy-to-reach seats that require almost no adjustment from the driver. The suspension handles rough pavement with a plushness CR likened to a luxury sedan, soaking up surface imperfections without transmitting jolt or float to passengers. Front and second-row seats are comfortable for most passengers, though some testers found the front bottom cushion slightly soft for optimal long-haul support. Third-row access is more limited than expected in a minivan, since getting back there requires removing the middle second-row seat and sliding the outboard seat inward.
