Small cars that drive like luxobarges
Discussion
You'll struggle to replicate that luxury as you downsize. Full sized executive cars benefit from a long wheelbase which helps with the ride quality, and their NVH is helped by having a boot rather than a hatchback, as the rear suspension can be mounted there meaning rear wheel tyre noise is massively decreased. Add to that double glazed windows, loads of sound deadening etc etc and you see where the luxurious driving quality comes from. I've driven loads of barges and loads of smaller cars that were also nice to drive and the full sized executive cars are always a league ahead for sheer quality.
The BMW 3 series, C Class and A4 don't compare. The Lexus IS300h is probably the most luxurious small exec car out there at the moment. The CT200h is a good effort at making a decent, luxurious smaller car but the ride is pretty poor, I gather.
The BMW 3 series, C Class and A4 don't compare. The Lexus IS300h is probably the most luxurious small exec car out there at the moment. The CT200h is a good effort at making a decent, luxurious smaller car but the ride is pretty poor, I gather.
I suspect small wheels and tall tyres would go a long way to help, so whatever is suggested, perhaps (bizzarely) the lower-spec models are a better bet? They'd be less likely to have any silly "sports" suspension too.
I only say this as my company car is a base-spec Kia Ceed. Not the most PH of cars by any stretch of the imagination, but with 15" wheels and (I think) xxx/65/15 wheels, it rides reasonably well for a hatchback.
I only say this as my company car is a base-spec Kia Ceed. Not the most PH of cars by any stretch of the imagination, but with 15" wheels and (I think) xxx/65/15 wheels, it rides reasonably well for a hatchback.
Citroën C3. Our lass has one. It is the least sporty car on earth - that's why we bought it. Chose it over fiesta, polo, corsa etc. Impressively comfy. Its got 65 profile tyres, Cruise and climate control. We did a 2000 mile road trip in it last year, and she's had it for 50k and it's been faultless. Great little car. Its also a mad colour.
If we're talking about proper small cars, (I'm not sure claiming a passat or superb is much less than a barge is correct) then it's got to be right up there.
If we're talking about proper small cars, (I'm not sure claiming a passat or superb is much less than a barge is correct) then it's got to be right up there.
Honestly with modern 'styling' mandating cars be 2" off the ground with tyres thinner than you shoe soles id go with one of the crossovers. My grandparents are currently looking at those for a similar reason, there plenty of options in every market, ive heard good think about the lexus/infinite ones though.
Ride quality is the most important virtue you can have in a car IMO and Citroen do this well. I've run a old Berlingo for years and also driven several thousands of miles in different C3, C3 Picasso and C4 rentals in Euroland.
All of them have been much more comfortable to spend several hours in and all of them offer a better ride quality on average to poor roads than my XJ8.
All of them have been much more comfortable to spend several hours in and all of them offer a better ride quality on average to poor roads than my XJ8.
Jimbo. said:
I suspect small wheels and tall tyres would go a long way to help, so whatever is suggested, perhaps (bizzarely) the lower-spec models are a better bet? They'd be less likely to have any silly "sports" suspension too.
Exactly this - you'd want something with wheels that had a large overall diameter, but with as much of that as possible being made up of tyre, and no sporting pretensions. Add a good size engine and auto transmission and you've got something that will get you as close to a big barge as possible. A friend has a 57 plate Accord saloon with leather interior, a lot of gizmos, and 16" wheels - though he gets stick now and again for driving an 'old man's car', the ride quality and comfort of his car is noticeably better than virtually all the newer, supposedly 'better' stuff I ride in.
With smaller cars there's a focus on making them sporty so the ride is often too harsh. I'm a bit wary of Citroen as a brand from a quality and reliability point of view.
The Lexus IS350h is very slow in terms of performance but could be a serious contender as it ticks the boxes of a premium cabin.
The Merc C350e is an interesting option as it ticks all the boxes. It's quite pricey when specced up though.
The Lexus IS350h is very slow in terms of performance but could be a serious contender as it ticks the boxes of a premium cabin.
The Merc C350e is an interesting option as it ticks all the boxes. It's quite pricey when specced up though.
in the last century, when the old MB was making cars, a lot of smart family people bought small engined basic Mercs. C or E class. ride and soundproofing the same, effortless cruising (once up to speed). they'd be other cars on the drive, but often a long term Merc cruiser too. Sadly Merc changed their suspension to compete with BMW Audi. it's why so many have fond memories of W124.
The old shape Passat circa 2000-5 was boring, solid and comfortable too.
The old shape Passat circa 2000-5 was boring, solid and comfortable too.
WaferThinHam said:
NNH said:
Skoda seem to have cracked the wafting thing. I've ridden in quite a few Octavias (and Superbs) and they're very comfy barges. Haven't driven one though, so can't comment on that.
What you mean is you've ridden in a selection of minicabs. 
Every single taxi I saw in Prague was a Skoda, we took one from the airport into the city, a Superb estate and the room in the back was unbelievable, you could throw a party in there with room to spare!
FN2TypeR said:
Every single taxi I saw in Prague was a Skoda, we took one from the airport into the city, a Superb estate and the room in the back was unbelievable, you could throw a party in there with room to spare!
I'd love a small car that drives like a luxobarge but yet to find one.
Although I can attest to the ride quality of the C5, it can't be described as small.
I posted a similar question about a year ago when looking for a small car and there wasn't really an option.
In this age of all sorts of niches being filled by car makers, the luxurious, soft riding hatchback seems to be one of the few not covered yet.
I posted a similar question about a year ago when looking for a small car and there wasn't really an option.
In this age of all sorts of niches being filled by car makers, the luxurious, soft riding hatchback seems to be one of the few not covered yet.
ging84 said:
Isn't that exactly what the 6 series the A7 and the CLS or what ever merc are calling thier big coupe this week are meant to be.
They all take thier biggest luxury car, and squish the panels in a bit to make it a bit less lonely inside and a bit easier to do a 3 point turn.
They're all still massive though, I park next to my colleagues A7 every day at work and it's huge They all take thier biggest luxury car, and squish the panels in a bit to make it a bit less lonely inside and a bit easier to do a 3 point turn.
Nickbrapp said:
Any Volvo or any Citroen. We have a Citroen c5 and it's the most comfy car I have sat in, much better than mercs, hushed engine and a good looking car to boot too.
....but the o.p. question was about small cars, so the Citroen C3 fits the bill here. Not a handler though, can't have your cake etc... Also French cars basically sound, reputation comes from bits of plastic trim falling off, sometimes electrical gremlins. Cars fundamentally ok and don't ever rust.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff