10 most comfortable SUVs UK

Being high up on the road, you’d expect all SUVs to have comfortable rides, right? Well, this isn’t always the case. 

Some brands opt for a sportier suspension set-up, which has its place, but isn’t always what you want on our rough UK roads. 

That’s why we look towards SUVs with more supple rides, and here are some of the best. 

What are the most comfortable SUVs? 

• Honda CR-V 

• Range Rover 

• Volvo XC90 

• BMW X5 

• Nissan Qashqai 

• Citroën C5 Aircross 

• Mercedes GLA 

• Lexus RX 

• Citroën C3 Aircross 

Our top 10 most comfortable SUVs 

Honda CR-V 

The CR-V is the biggest car Honda sells in the UK, and it also happens to be one of the most comfortable. 

Its suspension system isn’t anything super fancy (MacPherson struts at the front and multi-link suspension at the rear, if you’re interested) but it’s hard-wearing and supple at the same time.

Around town, the CR-V almost floats over any inconsistencies in the road, and when you get up to speed on the motorway, it helps iron out poor surfaces again. 

• Read our Honda CR-V review 

Range Rover 

When it comes to being comfortable on the road, almost nothing comes close to the finesse and imperiousness of a Range Rover. 

No matter which version you go for, you’re getting one of the most suitable ride qualities for UK roads, thanks to the soft air suspension system that actually feels like floating on air. 

For maximum comfort, opt for a set of smaller wheels with thicker tyres to cushion the car even more. 

• Read our Range Rover review 

Volvo XC90 

Volvo makes nice riding cars. That’s a fact. Not only does the XC90 come with soft (but not too soft) suspension, but Volvo has mastered the art of sound deadening to make sure any road noise is banished from the cabin. 

This makes it especially comfortable on longer motorway stints where the booming noise from the road can vibrate through the cabin.  

Its air suspension allows for self-levelling, so the car is well-positioned on the road at all times and glides over the imperfections in the surface. 

• Read our Volvo XC90 review 

BMW X5 

Like the Volvo, the BMW X5 also has self-levelling adaptive air suspension that helps to keep the ride as smooth as possible all of the time. 

BMW is usually known for its sporty and firmer suspension to aid handling, and while the X5 can be set up like this with different drive modes, the X5M is better-suited to sharp handling. 

Having said that, daily driving is truly a breeze in the X5. 

• Read our BMW X5 review 

Nissan Qashqai 

Its price may not suggest it, but the Nissan Qashqai is truly a refined SUV out on the road, thanks in large part to its great suspension set-up. 

And despite being powered by a petrol engine, you don’t hear it thanks to the clever e-Power hybrid tech that makes it act more like an electric car than a petrol one. 

Admittedly, the 20-inch wheels can hurt the ride quality at times, but you can spec 17-inch wheels and that’s the case with almost all cars these days. 

• Read our Nissan Qashqai review 

Citroën C5 Aircross 

If there’s one brand that knows how to make a well-judged suspension, it’s Citroën. There’s a reason French farmers used to buy the 2CV to transport eggs across bumpy fields. 

The C5 Aircross is the definition of an everyday car with a posh ride, made easy by its Progressive Hydraulic Cushions (a fancy way to say ‘soft ride’) that help to soak up any inconsistencies in the road. 

Citroën claims it has an almost ‘magic carpet’ effect, and you can really notice it on a less-than-ideal road. 

• Read our Citroën C5 Aircross review 

Mercedes GLA 

The Mercedes GLA, for its size, has very impressive suspension. Often, small SUVs struggle to stay composed on the road because they’re lighter than traditional SUVs, but that’s not true for the GLA. 

It’s a Mercedes after all, so it’s a pretty premium car, and has been blessed with a very smooth ride thanks to its onboard air suspension and electric power steering. 

This ride is even decent on the large-ish 19-inch alloy wheels and lowered ride height of the AMG Line versions. 

• Read our Mercedes GLA review 

Lexus RX 

Lexus’ RX rides just as well as any other SUV because of its adaptive variable suspension. This just means the suspension at each wheel moves independently, so it can deal with uneven road surfaces.  

It also has some clever tech Lexus calls its Friction Control Device, which sits within the shock absorbers and reduces high-frequency vibrations from the road to make your drive even quieter and more relaxing. 

Of the modern Lexus SUVs, this is one of the best. 

• Read our Lexus RX review 

BMW X3 

The ride in the BMW X3 really depends on which model you have. For example, the standard xDrive 30d will have BMW’s soft suspension system. 

Whereas a sportier X3M will sit on the brand’s signature adaptive M suspension, which is far firmer, aiding handling. 

This remains more-or-less the same across the board for sDrive front-wheel drive cars and xDrive all-wheel drive models. 

• Read our BMW X3 review 

Citroen C3 Aircross 

The Citroen C3 Aircross comes fitted with the brand’s Advanced Comfort suspension which essentially means it's got hydraulic bump stops to iron out creases in the road. 

Its soft advanced comfort suspension coupled with its light steering controls make it a treat on tighter UK roads. 

Plus, this clever suspension helps keep all your passengers comfortable over all surfaces. 

• Read our Citroen C3 Aircross review 

Explore our latest SUVs for sale 

If you’re ready to switch things up with a used SUV, or perhaps you already own one but fancy one the comfy picks on our list, we have loads of choice.  

A used SUV can be a great alternative if you’re after a higher driving position, more space and a smoother ride.