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Car makers strive to engineer one-size-fits-all vehicles, but it’s an impossible goal. It doesn’t work any better with cars, trucks, and SUVs than it does with baseball caps. People on the extreme edges of the height bell curve must simply make do. The task then, for those on the upper end of the curve, is to determine which are the best cars for tall people. We can help.
We polled some of the taller drivers around the halls of Kelley Blue Book for their thoughts. At 6 feet 4 inches and 6 feet 5 inches tall, respectively, KBB authors Andy Bornhop and Rich Homan have tallied plenty of bruised knees and head bumps over the years climbing in and out of cars. Their insight revealed to those of us located in the middle of the height curve some of the compromises tall people must settle for when picking a car.
Armed with these revelations and automakers’ model specifications, we created our picks for the best cars for tall people.
Choosing a car for a tall person is not an easy task
Those of us in the middle of the height curve usually don’t need to think much about headroom, maximum legroom, and windshield height. However, those are the first things a tall driver must consider. Sadly for taller people, the issues don’t end there.
Even if he can properly adjust the driver’s seat so his legs are comfortable, Bornhop pointed out that often the steering wheel won’t telescope out far enough for a comfortable reach. Likewise, when the driver’s seat is positioned for comfort, often the outboard mirrors don’t offer sufficient adjustment to provide a decent view off of the car’s flanks.
And then there’s some head bumping with sunroofs. “Sunroofs are horrible for headroom,” Bornhop said.
What are a tall driver’s basic considerations?
- Front-seat legroom: Is there enough legroom to be comfortable while driving?
- Front-seat headroom: Can you assume a normal driving position without your head brushing the headliner?
- Tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel: Is there sufficient adjustment to avoid a locked-elbow driving position?
- Windshield height: Can you see traffic lights without ducking to see under the windshield header?
- Outboard mirror adjustment: Do mirrors provide enough adjustment to position them out to the car’s flanks?
- Moonroofs and sunroofs: Will that loss of 1-2 inches of headroom put your head against the ceiling?
Best new cars and SUVs for tall people
When discussing car comfort, any tall person will assure you, the size of the vehicle does matter. The trend toward crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks during the last 10 years has improved the vehicle-buying prospects of taller drivers. Also, because they tend to be boxy, full-size trucks and SUVs often have taller windshields.
Full-size cars are another class of vehicles offering extra room for tall drivers. Although Ford
F,
and General Motors
GM,
stopped making large sedans, not every automaker abandoned this type of vehicle. We included a couple of larger sedans among our picks.
Surprisingly, there are even some smaller cars on our list capable of accommodating tall drivers. They may prove a little tougher to get into and out of than a large car or SUV, but they provide a remarkable amount of headroom and legroom once seated inside.
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These vehicles are ranked based on the amount of room they offer. We put them into three categories. The vehicles with the best all-around room boast both excellent head- and legroom. The next category is our picks for tall drivers who carry their height in their torsos, who prioritize headroom over legroom. And the third category contains vehicles for drivers that are long-legged, and seek out vehicles with excellent legroom. Although we heavily weighted the driver’s headroom and legroom, some subjectivity seeped into our picks.
Best all-around room
1. 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
Base price: $50,295 | KBB rating: 4.7
Front headroom: 42.3 inches
Front legroom: 44.5 inches
As far as the driver’s headroom and legroom are concerned, you can lump the Chevy Suburban and both the GMC Yukon models in with the Chevy Tahoe. In addition to these models’ impressive front-seat legroom, the third-row legroom in the Tahoe (34.9 inches) is better than average.
Completely redesigned for 2021, the Tahoe retains its truck-based construction but is more comfortable than ever. It’s loaded with connectivity tech and delivers an EPA-estimated 20 mpg on the highway with its base V8. Homan, at 6’5″, praised it saying, “It is a wild improvement over its predecessor, in tall-guy terms.”
2. 2021 GMC Sierra Crew Cab
Base price: $38,095 | KBB rating: 4.2
Front headroom: 43 inches
Front legroom: 43.5 inches
The Chevy Silverado Crew Cab has the same dimensions as the GMC Sierra. Actually, the more affordable Double Cab versions with narrower second-row doors also provide the same front-seat headroom and legroom. However, the Crew Cab has roughly 8 inches more rear-seat legroom.
Also read: Why minivans are the hottest thing right now
As with all full-size pickups, the Sierra offers a wide variety of engine choices. The base engine is a 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, delivering an EPA-estimated 23 mpg on the highway.
The price here is for the basic, few-frills Sierra work truck. It does have Bluetooth connectivity and a few other amenities, but it also has crank windows. To begin adding some popular content means adding options or spending another $7,500 for the SLE trim.
3. 2021 GMC Canyon Crew Cab
Base price: $28,300 | KBB rating: 4.2
Front headroom: 41.4 inches
Front legroom: 45 inches
The Canyon’s front legroom is the best among our picks. You can group the 2021 Chevy Colorado 4-door with the GMC Canyon for the sake of this list, as they share interior dimensions. One issue we do take with these trucks is the lack of driver-aid technologies in all but their top trims.
GMC offers the Canyon with three engines: a gasoline 4-cylinder, a V6, and a 4-cylinder turbodiesel. The base 4-cylinder engine delivers an EPA-estimated 25 mpg on the highway.
A power-adjustable driver’s seat, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple
AAPL,
CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB ports are standard.
4. 2021 Ford Expedition
Base price: $49,025 | KBB rating: 4.8
Front headroom: 42 inches
Front legroom: 43.9 inches
We could have just as easily featured the Expedition Max or Lincoln Navigator here. The front headroom and legroom are the same in the Max and nearly the same in the Navigator.
Like the Tahoe, the Ford Expedition is truck-based, meaning it’s more rugged and can tow more than car-based SUVs. When appropriately equipped, maximum towing is 9,300 pounds.
KBB named it the Full-Size SUV Best Buy for 2021.
See: 5 high-performance SUVs to spice up your life
Ford introduced a new 5-seat, entry-level XL trim for 2021. It comes standard with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of driver aids with tech such as blind-spot monitoring and forward emergency braking. A turbocharged V6 powers the Expedition. EPA-estimated highway mileage is 23 mpg.
5. 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
Base price: $27,000 | KBB rating: 4.7
Front headroom: 41.2 inches
Front legroom: 44.1 inches
Hyundai
HYMTF,
gave the Santa Fe a good sprucing up for 2021. We liked this SUV enough to name it the two-row Midsize SUV Best Buy of 2021.
Not only is the cabin roomy, but Hyundai updated it with lots of premium amenities. Standard is an 8.8-inch touchscreen, as well as wireless Apple
AAPL,
CarPlay and Android Auto.
There’s a full suite of driver aid technologies like forward-collision warning with low-speed emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and high-beam assist.
In the entry-level SE, an all-new Smartstream 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine delivers power via an 8-speed transmission. This arrangement is good for an EPA-estimated 28 mpg on the highway.
Best headroom
1. 2021 Buick Enclave
Base price: $41,195 | KBB rating: 3.8
Front Headroom: 42.6 inches
Front Legroom: 41.2 inches
Although the Chevrolet Traverse shares DNA with the Buick Enclave, it has a little less headroom and legroom. At 33.5 inches, the Enclave’s third-row legroom falls in the middle of the pack, but it’s easy to access.
In addition to its wide-open spaces, we like the Enclave for its comfy seating and list of standard features, like an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. In addition, 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability is included.
A 3.6-liter V6 paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission delivers an EPA-estimated 26 miles per gallon on the highway.
2. 2021 Volkswagen Atlas
Base price: $31,555 | KBB rating: 4.1
Front headroom: 41.3 inches
Front legroom: 41.7 inches
A must-have as a pick for Homan, the Volkswagen
VWAGY,
Atlas is tall with a large glass greenhouse that provides excellent visibility. With three rows of seats, it can hold up to seven people.
Access to the rear seat in the Atlas, often an afterthought in other SUVs, is engineered for taller people. “From a full sprint,” Homan said, “I was able to essentially jump into the third row without missing a beat. The door opening and excellent folding of the second-row seats gave me clear access, as a tall guy, to the third row.”
Fuel economy, even with the base 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, is somewhat disappointing. It gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg on the highway. The good news is, mileage is the same with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).
VW performed a sort of a midyear freshening on Atlas. Some of the standard features include LED exterior lights, rain-sensing wipers, 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
Among the standard driver aids are forward-collision warning with emergency braking and a blind-spot monitor.
3. 2021 Nissan Leaf
Base price: $31,670 | KBB rating: 3.7
Front headroom: 41.2 inches
Front legroom: 42.1 inches
With the most headroom of any car among our picks, the Nissan
NSANY,
Leaf falls near the middle in legroom. An electric vehicle (EV), the Leaf delivers a government-estimated 99 MPGe on the highway. Its standard range on a full charge is 149 miles. The Nissan Plus increases that range to 226 miles.
Even the base Leaf comes well equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four USB ports, satellite radio capability, 10 airbags, and automatic climate control.
Among the driver-aid technologies are forward-collision warning with emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and high-beam assist.
4. 2021 Genesis G80
Base price: $47,700 | KBB rating 4.3
Front headroom: 41.1 inches
Front legroom: 42.5 inches
Genesis completely redesigned its G80 midsize luxury sedan for 2021. It comes with a wide range of standard equipment, including 12-way power-adjustable and heated front seats. A 14.5-inch touchscreen anchors the Genesis G80‘s all-new infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Adaptive cruise control, forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, and high-beam assist come standard, among other driver aids.
Available in rear-wheel drive or AWD, the RWD G80 delivers an EPA-estimated 32 mpg on the highway with its 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. You can upgrade to a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6.
5. 2021 Jeep Renegade
Base price: $22,850 | KBB rating: 3.5
Front headroom: 41.1 inches
Front legroom: 41.2 inches
It may be the smallest model in Jeep’s lineup, but the Jeep Renegade is no pipsqueak when accommodating taller drivers. Much of that has to do with its upright, boxy shape. Visibility, whether through the windshield or in any other direction, is much better than average for taller drivers.
If you want a compact SUV with loads of character and, when appropriately dressed out, the capability to do some serious off-roading, it’s the Renegade. The base engine is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. The EPA-estimated highway mileage is 30 mpg.
Now standard on every Renegade: forward-collision warning with emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included.
6. 2021 Dodge Charger
Base price: $31,490 | KBB rating: 3.8
Front headroom: 38.6 inches
Front legroom: 41.8 inches
The Charger’s kissing cousin, the Chrysler 300, shares interior measurements with the Dodge.
Yes, the Dodge Charger is showing its age, but at least Dodge is still building a large car — or any car, for that matter. Another inch or so of headroom would be helpful, but it’s good enough. And, its front-seat legroom is better than a couple of the crossovers on this list.
Also see: Size matters: The best large cars
The infotainment system is among the industry’s best. When equipped with one of its big V8 engines, it’s as comfortable on the track as it is hauling the kids to school. With its V6 engine, the Charger delivers an EPA-estimated 30 mpg on the highway.
The charger is rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive is optional.
Best legroom
1. 2021 Kia K5
Base price: $23,690 | KBB rating: 4.5
Front headroom: 40.2 inches
Front legroom: 46.1 inches
Replacing the Optima in Kia’s
000270,
lineup for 2021, the all-new Kia K5 is no disappointment. As with the Kia Optima, the K5 has a spacious, well-executed interior. Homan admitted, “The Kia K5 surprised me because I didn’t expect it to be so roomy.”
Delivering an EPA-estimated 38 mpg on the highway, the K5’s base engine is a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. Output reaches the front wheels by way of an all-new 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available.
Even the entry-level LX comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, 8-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, forward-collision warning with emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, and high-beam assist.
2. 2021 Subaru Legacy
Base price: $22,995 | KBB rating: 4.0
Front headroom: 39.4 inches
Front legroom: 42.8 inches
For the money, it’s tough for taller drivers to find a more well-rounded car. The Subaru
FUJHY,
Legacy, even with standard AWD, gets a whopping EPA-estimated 35 mpg on the highway from its 2.5-liter flat-4 engine. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) transfers power to the wheels.
Although we recommend spending an extra $2,250 for the Premium grade, the Base version comes with adaptive cruise control, lane centering, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning with emergency braking, and high-beam assist.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard. But stepping up to the Premium grade adds 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, 11.6-inch touchscreen, and more.
3. 2021 Lexus NX
Base price: $37,610 | KBB rating: 4.2
Front headroom: 39.2 inches
Front legroom: 42.8 inches
There’s nothing flashy about the Lexus NX. It simply does everything well. Easy to park in the city and comfy on the highway, the NX is, well, nice. And, of course, there’s that Lexus reputation for reliability.
A 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine sends power to two (FWD) or all four (AWD) wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission. This collaboration is good for an EPA-estimated 28 mpg on the highway. The NX 300h hybrid achieves up to 33 mpg.
Standard are 17-inch alloy wheels, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, power-adjustable steering column, keyless entry with push-button start, 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Wi-Fi capability.
Among the driver aids are forward-collision warning with emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing, road-sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and high-beam assist.
4. 2021 Lexus ES
Base price: $40,925 | KBB rating: 4.8
Front headroom: 37.5 inches
Front legroom: 42.4 inches
Fulfilling the role of a roomy, comfy midsize sedan for the Lexus lineup, the Lexus ES features sharp styling and now the availability of all-wheel drive. The second-row seat is spacious too, with plenty of legroom.
The ES is KBB’s Luxury Car Best Buy for 2021.
The $40,925 base price will get you either the ES 250 with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and AWD, or the front-wheel-drive ES 350 with a 3.5-liter V6. The EPA-estimated highway fuel economy for the ES 250 is 34 mpg, and 32 mpg for the ES 350. The ES 300h hybrid earns up to 44 mpg.
Every ES comes with forward-collision warning with emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, high-beam assist, lane-departure alert, and lane-tracing assist. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.
5. 2021 Honda Accord
Base price: $24,770 | KBB rating: 4.7
Front headroom: 39.5 inches
Front legroom: 42.3 inches
The 2021 Honda
HMC,
Accord earned our Midsize Car Best Buy of 2021 award. In addition to the Honda Accord’s impressive headroom and legroom, its base 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine turns in an EPA-estimated 38 mpg on the highway.
In the base grade, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are all standard.
And every Accord comes with the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids including forward-collision warning with emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
6. 2021 Honda Civic
Base price: $21,200 KBB rating: 4.7
Front headroom: 39.3 inches
Front legroom: 42.3 inches
Basically, the Honda Civic and Accord share front headroom and legroom numbers. That might surprise you, but the government rates both as midsize cars. Of the Civic, Homan said, “I have plenty of front-seat travel, and the rear seats keep both my legs and torso comfortable and uncompromised.”
The Accord does have roughly 3 inches more rear-seat legroom than the Civic. Not only can the Civic accommodate tall drivers, its base price includes a rich array of standard features, like the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids.
Also read: Your guide to buying a convertible car
The same 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine found in the Accord powers the Civic. In the Civic application, it achieves an EPA-estimated 42 mpg on the highway (the best on this list).
Best used cars and SUVs for tall people
We could have as easily called this section the best out-of-production cars for tall people, as some of these models have been retired. If your budget can’t accommodate a new vehicle, these are used ones with loads of head- and legroom.
Roomy used SUVs
1. 2018-2020 Nissan Rogue
Front headroom: 41.6 inches
Front legroom: 43.0 inches
The Nissan Rogue is a compact SUV with an impressively roomy cabin. The Rogue may be all-new for 2021, but look to the previous generation for more space for the driver and front passenger.
2. 2016-2019 Ford Flex
Front headroom: 41.4 inches
Front legroom: 42.9 inches
The Flex was a 3-row SUV with a boxy retro-wagon shape that allowed for excellent headroom and shoulder space. The second row is nearly as roomy as the first.
3. 2019-2020 Subaru Forester
Front headroom: 41.2 inches
Front legroom: 43.3 inches
Subaru’s compact SUV was all-new for 2019. With this generation, Subaru redesigned the interior, making terrific use of the space and creating a lot of room.
4. 2013-2015 Honda Pilot
Front headroom: 40.0 inches
Front legroom: 41.4 inches
Big, comfortable, and reliable, the 2013-2015 Honda Pilot is a spacious midsize SUV choice.
5. 2017-2019 Chevrolet Equinox
Front headroom: 40.0 inches
Front legroom: 39.8 inches
The Chevy Equinox is known as one of the more comfortable compact SUVs on the market. One of the reasons why is its impressive interior space, a real asset for taller drivers.
Roomy used cars
1. 2016-2020 Cadillac CT6
Front headroom: 40.6 inches
Front legroom: 46.4 inches
American-made with lots of standard features, this is a large sedan you can pick up at a bargain price.
2. 2017-2020 Chevrolet Impala
Front headroom: 39.9 inches
Front legroom: 45.8 inches
This is a terrific-looking big car sacrificed on the altar of SUVs. If you find one, it will be more than affordable.
3. 2015-2020 Kia Optima
Front headroom: 39.8 inches
Front legroom: 45.5 inches
A perennial favorite of ours, the Optima is a roomy midsize sedan with plenty of standard technology.
4. 2015-2016 Hyundai Equus
Front headroom: 38.7 inches
Front legroom: 45.1 inches
This large premium sedan has plenty of passenger space and luxury trappings.
5. 2013-2015 Scion xB
Front headroom: 40.0 inches
Front legroom: 40.7 inches
The Scion xB delivers solid fuel economy, excellent reliability, and plenty of interior room. Shop carefully and you’ll wind up with an affordable gem.
6. 2017-2020 Honda Fit
Front headroom: 39.5 inches
Front legroom: 41.4 inches
From the curb, the Fit doesn’t look particularly inviting for someone over 6 feet tall, but it is. With a base price under $18,000 when new, used ones are wonderfully affordable.
7. 2017-2019 Nissan Versa Note
Front headroom: 40.8 inches
Front legroom: 41.3 inches
Another car with more space on the inside than its exterior promises, the Nissan Versa Note is a bargain used.
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Roundup:
Best all-around room
- 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2021 GMC Sierra Crew Cab
- 2021 GMC Canyon Crew Cab
- 2021 Ford Expedition
- 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
Best headroom
- 2021 Buick Enclave
- 2021 Volkswagen Atlas
- 2021 Nissan Leaf
- 2021 Genesis G80
- 2021 Jeep Renegade
- 2021 Dodge Charger
Best legroom
- 2021 Kia K5
- 2021 Subaru Legacy
- 2021 Lexus NX
- 2021 Lexus ES
- 2021 Honda Accord
- 2021 Honda Civic
Roomy used SUVs
- 2018-2020 Nissan Rogue
- 2016-2019 Ford Flex
- 2019-2020 Subaru Forester
- 2013-2015 Honda Pilot
- 2017-2019 Chevrolet Equinox
Roomy used cars
- 2016-2020 Cadillac CT6
- 2017-2020 Chevrolet Impala
- 2015-2020 Kia Optima
- 2015-2016 Hyundai Equus
- 2013-2015 Scion xB
- 2017-2020 Honda Fit
- 2017-2019 Nissan Versa Note
This story originally ran on KBB.com.
