most comfy car

[MYOB]

Saab were extremely comfortable. Now I find Volvos the most comfortable. Obviously I'm talking about middle of the range cars here and don't have experience of the higher end luxury vehicles.

[Lester H]

I don’t have ownership experience of high end luxury cars, though I have a deep respect and envy for the posh Rangies I have encountered. At a more accessible level, the later Granadas (big Sierra shape) in Ghia/Scorpio trim were seriously comfy cruisers, the rear seat resembled a good sofa and, apologies for the cliche, these barges could waft along at 100 in quiet and assuring “grand routier” mode. A pity that posh D segment cars are being subsumed by SUVs

[2xChevrons]

For ride quality alone it has to be a hydropneumatic Citroen, and the original DS is the best at soaking up bumps. It's the only car I've driven which can seemingly acheive 100% bump absorption on ordinary road surfaces - it's like a hovercraft. It also has incredibly squashy sofa-like seats. The CX is nearly as good (probably as good on aftermarket comfort spheres) but isn't quite such a wheeled sensory deprivation chamber as the DS. The XM, with strut front suspension and Hydractive is a notch lower again - more bump/thump but it's still extraordinarily good. The XM also has the most physically comfortable seats and driving position I have ever come across in a car, and an XM with the Hydractive system fully working, on fresh spheres and with decent tyres probably manages the best mix of physical comfort, ride quality and handling.

But if we're including the whole mix of ride quality, noise/vibration/harshness, the effort (or lack of) required to drive, driving position, the comfort of the seats, the effectiveness of the climate control, the sound of the radio, the ergonomics of the cabin and all the other things that make a comfortable car then I'd have to give it to the Daimler X305 Double Six I managed to borrow to do a 1200-mile flying visit of most of my far-flung family over one Christmas/New Year break. It was financially ruinous but that car just picked you up and silently, smoothly and effortlessly whisked you to your destination. I think I was more comfortable and relaxed in the car than I was any sofa in front of the fire eating Quality Street and turkey sandwiches that season. It was like having a road-going business jet, in every sense!

[alorotom]

Bentley Flying Spur ... like being on a cloud, same as pretty much anything by RR

[Ahbefive]

Volvo S60R. Best seats of any car.

Edited by Ahbefive on Friday 23 February 07:51

[Debaser]

An S Class with 'Magic Body Control'.

[Chiswickboy]

2xChevrons said:

For ride quality alone it has to be a hydropneumatic Citroen, and the original DS is the best at soaking up bumps. It's the only car I've driven which can seemingly acheive 100% bump absorption on ordinary road surfaces - it's like a hovercraft. It also has incredibly squashy sofa-like seats. The CX is nearly as good (probably as good on aftermarket comfort spheres) but isn't quite such a wheeled sensory deprivation chamber as the DS. The XM, with strut front suspension and Hydractive is a notch lower again - more bump/thump but it's still extraordinarily good. The XM also has the most physically comfortable seats and driving position I have ever come across in a car, and an XM with the Hydractive system fully working, on fresh spheres and with decent tyres probably manages the best mix of physical comfort, ride quality and handling.

But if we're including the whole mix of ride quality, noise/vibration/harshness, the effort (or lack of) required to drive, driving position, the comfort of the seats, the effectiveness of the climate control, the sound of the radio, the ergonomics of the cabin and all the other things that make a comfortable car then I'd have to give it to the Daimler X305 Double Six I managed to borrow to do a 1200-mile flying visit of most of my far-flung family over one Christmas/New Year break. It was financially ruinous but that car just picked you up and silently, smoothly and effortlessly whisked you to your destination. I think I was more comfortable and relaxed in the car than I was any sofa in front of the fire eating Quality Street and turkey sandwiches that season. It was like having a road-going business jet, in every sense!

I'm with you on this. First Citroen was a Slough built ID19. Absolutely wafted along. The XM I later had as a company car was comfortable but not in the same class.

No. 2 for me was the Renault Laguna. An early 3litre one which, again, just ate up the miles. Reallr regret selling it but needed the room of a bargalicious Volvo estate which in T5 format makes a great, effortless drive either locally or for the annual holiday down the A303 et al.

[Sid123]

Surprised no-one has mentioned the Peugeot 604.
Best riding car this side of a series II/III XJ Jag.
The French did it particularly well in the late 70s and 80s with others such as the Citroen CX and the Renault 30TX

[GiveItSomeWellie]

L405 Range Rover on optional 19 inch wheels with the 22 way seats and winged headrests.

[Davie]

Ahbefive said:

Volvo S60R. Best seats of any car.

There are very good however the 4C suspension makes for a less than fluid ride... so as far as comfort goes, I have to disagree as the suspension and 18" wheels do little to dampen road noise and general chaos. Hence, a base spec model is better, seats are as good but more compliant suspension and bump absorbing higher walled tyres make for a more relaxed drive.

[M1C]

The seats in the 2000-on ish S60, V70 etc are superb - both comfortable and supportive.

However, the most comfortable i've been in a car is probably in a rare spec 2009ish Citroen C5 Exclusive which had both the hydro-whatsit suspension and massaging heated seats etc - surreal sensation floating along and being massaged/warmed.

[neil1jnr]

Renault 25 Monaco

[Patch234]

You'll never believe this. But I had a laguna estate (the sporty version) and drove around Europe in it. Really, was the most comfortable driving position and seat I have ever had!!! I know!! I know!!

[Muddle238]

Citroen ID/DS - it has to be. Combination of seats plus suspension, extrapolate that over time and you'll get most of the Citroen range up until the demise of the C5 and C6.

My DS5 has excellent seats and a fantastic driving position, however the ride at only low speeds only let it down. For that reason, I'd say the Rover 75 was a contender - similar seats to a DS and although it lacks wet suspension, it's still a great ride.

[Herbs]

cherryowen said:

Of those I've either owned or been a passenger in:-

Citroen XM
Jag XJ40
Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit

I must admit, the XM was astonishingly comfortable

Conversely, two examples of cars I expected to be comfortable but weren't:-

Audi Q7
Range Rover Sport (both original and current versions)

Admittedly, the NVH / bump-thump suppression was good but the primary ride quality - for a premium product - was shocking.

Surprised by your thoughts on the Q7 as that is exactly why i'm on my second. Best i've been in outside of an S class. Perhaps the air suspension was in Dynamic rather than comfort as it makes a huge difference.

[Huntsman]

Sid123 said:

Best riding car this side of a series II/III XJ Jag.

I forgot about the XJ6, indeed, I had an S1 and it was an amazing ride. The later X300 not so good.

[red_slr]

Also a vote for the FFRR. Ideally TDV8 so you can take advantage of the low end torque to waft around.

Honourable mention for the A6 All Road on air suspension in comfort mode with upgraded seats. Combination of decent seats, high side walls, electronig power steering with comfort setting, air and engine which seems to prefer to spend most of its time 1200-2000rpm its very nice and comfy for not much money. Very similar to a FFRR in drive and comfort.

[AppleJuice]

Rover 75 (even on 17" wheels), most French offerings, Merc W211, E61 530d I was a passenger in rode fairly well too.

[twokcc]

neil1jnr said:

Renault 25 Monaco

That brings back memories, wasn't the Monaco edition(couldn't afford it) but a very comfy car but not as good as my Renault 20TS 5 speed(well it had a badge on back to let everyone know-before all cars had lette i as part of badge for sporting model) IMO

[Ahbefive]

Davie said:

Ahbefive said:

Volvo S60R. Best seats of any car.

There are very good however the 4C suspension makes for a less than fluid ride... so as far as comfort goes, I have to disagree as the suspension and 18" wheels do little to dampen road noise and general chaos. Hence, a base spec model is better, seats are as good but more compliant suspension and bump absorbing higher walled tyres make for a more relaxed drive.

I had a 2.4T S60 on 17inch wheels prior and the R is much more comfy. The seats are softer and on the comfort setting so is the suspension. On Pirelli tyres the road noise is minimal.