In this article, we will list the 20 Most Comfortable Cars of 2024.
The Global Automotive Industry
The global automotive industry is one of the largest industries in the world, valued at $4.4 trillion in 2024, as reported by Fintech Futures. The industry is expected to reach $6.7 trillion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 5.66% over the forecast period.
A huge reason at play here is the increasing demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs). This innovative expansion of the automotive industry in carbon-friendly vehicles is expected to increase sector revenues by 30% by 2032. According to Virta, global electric car sales in 2023 reached about 14 million, a 35% increase from the previous year. The sales projections for 2024 are at 17 million units of EVs.
The global market is keeping up with the demand for EVs by increasing investments in the niche sector. For instance, there is more focus on improving facilities and charging infrastructure. In January, Forbes reported that by 2024, charging stations are expected to reach 2 million units globally.
Despite growth potential, Forbes reported that EV sales in the US for 2024 are expected to grow by 16% year-over-year. This is much smaller than the year-over-year growth of 64% in 2023. In China as well, the year-over-year growth would be 11.1% in 2024, as compared to 36.5% in 2023.
This is because the rapid growth in 2023 was influenced by first-time buyers. Consumers who wanted to switch to EVs had already done so by 2023, and so the number of buyers decreased in 2024. Other reasons include changing consumer preferences due to inflation, high interest rates, and overall increased competition in the automotive sector. Industry leaders like Elon Musk are lowering prices to prompt higher sales.
However, China still accounts for 60% of the total global EV sales. By 2025, China is expected to capture 12% of the European EV market through competitive pricing, cutting-edge battery technology, and the growing popularity of its electric car brands.
Biggest Players in the Market
The United States has generally been one of the key players in the automotive market. In the early to mid-20th century, the country had the largest automotive sector in the world. According to a report by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, historically, the auto sector accounted for about 3% to 3.5% of the total US GDP. In fact, 11.5% of the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the US GDP also comes from the automotive industry – directly and indirectly.
However, this year in June, the sales of new vehicles dropped 3.4% year-over-year and amounted to 1.32 million units. The slowdown in sales was followed by higher prices and interest rates that hindered a stronger market. However, full-year sales estimates look better, with new vehicle sales expected to reach 16.1 million, a 12.4% increase from 2023. At the same time, on June 25, Reuters reported that the US automotive industry remains uncertain due to the upcoming elections. Despite this, Cox Automotive maintains its full-year estimates at 15.7 million units for 2024.
We see that the US consumer has been reluctant to purchase vehicles. Reuters reported that around 74% of consumers and 81% of dealers believe that inflation is the top concern and that the election uncertainty adds to it.
On June 14, CNBC reported that Chinese automakers have overtaken the US in auto sales for the first time. Chinese automakers sold 13.4 million new vehicles in 2023, compared to 11.9 million vehicles sold by the US. The country grew its automotive sales by 23%, surpassing the 9% growth by the US.
China has captured the international market by increasing automotive sector exports. On June 27, CNBC reported that auto export sales for China are expected to increase from 3 million in 2024 to 9 million by 2030. Currently, around 59% of the sales come from within the country – with Russia as the largest market at 33% – but Chinese automakers are expected to achieve 33% of the global automotive market share by 2030. As of 2024, China has a 21% market share.
SAIC Motor: China’s Automotive Giant
SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd. (SHA:600104) is a Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer, formerly known by the name of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. It develops, manufactures, and sells automobiles and related parts. SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd. (SHA:600104) produces and sells vehicles under its brands as well. These include IM, Maxus, MG, Rising Auto, and Roewe. It is one of the largest automotive companies in China, founded in 1997 and headquartered in Anting, Shanghai.
The company is valued at $23 billion, as of August 7, 2024. In 2023, it was ranked number one on the Fortune 500 China list for Chinese automotive manufacturers. SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd. (SHA:600104) generated a revenue of $104.93 billion last year, with a total of 5.02 million units sold, remaining the 18th top domestic automaker.
The company set new records in both electric vehicle sales and international markets in 2023. It boosted its sales by 4.6% to 1.12 million, as compared to 2022. China’s The Paper reported that the global reach expanded significantly, with overseas sales rising by 18.8% to 1.2 million units. Overseas sales are expected to reach 1.35 million in 2024. Vice President of the company, Zhao Aimin, said that the aim for 2025 overseas sales is 1.5 units.
With these numbers, SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd. (SHA:600104) maintained its position as the top Chinese automaker in foreign markets for the 8th consecutive year in 2023. These progressions for the company are instrumental in making China the world’s largest car exporter overall.
For the first quarter of 2024, the company reported a total operating income of $20.72 billion, which is less than $21.13 billion in the same period last year. The net profit for Q1 2024 was $392.75 million, also showing a decrease from $402.90 million year-over-year.
At the same time, deliveries reached 1.132 million units, which is a 9.3% increase compared to the same quarter last year. Notably, sales of new EVs rose by 47.9%, with over 210,000 units sold. While there’s a strong demand for EVs, SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd. (SHA:600104) has faced issues due to increasing competition in the automotive market.
In May, Bloomberg reported that Volkswagen AG’s Audi and China’s SAIC Motor are collaborating on a new shared vehicle platform – where they will be developing three new pure electric models as part of Audi’s electrification strategy in China. This new platform, by the name of Advanced Digitized Platform, will be designed for premium electric smart cars tailored for the Chinese market.
Audi expects that this partnership will reduce the time to develop and launch a new car model by 30% for the upcoming new models. This will give the company a competitive edge over the rest of the automotive sector. The first model under this new platform is expected to be available in 2025.
SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd. (SHA:600104) aims to cut 30% of its employees. 10% of this reduction is planned at the SAIC-Volkswagen partnership, as reported in April by Reuters. However, these will not be mass layoffs but rather targeted throughout 2024, through stricter performance standards and incentives for lower-rated employees to resign.
However, a spokesperson for the company denied these speculations about job cuts, stating that there are no targets for workforce reductions. Notably, the company hired 2,000 employees in early 2024, focusing on software and new-energy vehicles.
What’s Here for You?
Whether or not Chinese automakers are doing better than the rest of the world, what makes or breaks your driving experience is your car’s interior. A cramped cabin with uncomfortable seats can turn even short trips into a chore. But a comfortable vehicle with plenty of space and plush seating can transform your drive into a relaxing escape.
While often overlooked for new car features, passenger and driver comfort is important for those who spend a lot of time on the road. Fortunately, modern vehicles offer many features designed to enhance the driving experience. With that, let’s look at the most comfortable cars of 2024.
20 Most Comfortable Cars of 2024
Methodology
To compile our list, we first searched through different internet lists and Reddit threads on the most comfortable cars for a consensus. We then used reviews and ratings from Edmunds to form a ranking. We used the rating as our primary determinant and then made a final call based on the number of reviews. We have only included cars with at least 15 reviews and a rating of at least 3 out of 5. The most comfortable cars of 2024 are listed in ascending order of ratings.
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20 Most Comfortable Cars of 2024
20. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Rating: 3.2/5
Number of Reviews: 26
Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a luxury sedan that offers a luxurious driving experience. It features a premium interior with high-end materials, a digital gauge display, and touch-sensitive controls.
Consumers find the C-Class comfortable because of its luxury features, such as heated front seats with memory settings, a sunroof, open-pore wood trim, and aluminum accents. The car’s interior is designed to match the S-Class flagship, for a sense of greater quality.
19. Volvo XC90
Rating: 3.3/5
Number of Reviews: 30
Volvo XC90 is a luxury midsize SUV known for its spacious interior, advanced safety features, and hybrid powertrain options.
This SUV has a high-quality and stylish interior, with spacious seating and ample legroom. The front seats also offer a massage function, made even better with a four-zone climate system. XC90 has a great suspension system and makes all your rides smooth.
18. Lucid Air
Rating: 3.7/5
Number of Reviews: 22
Lucid Air is a luxury all-electric sedan known for its impressive range, high performance, and quality design.
It has spacious legroom and high-quality materials, providing a premium feel. This sedan includes a large touchscreen interface and customizable features that enhance the driving experience. Options like heated seats and advanced climate control systems further enhance your comfort.
17. Toyota Sienna
Rating: 3.7/5
Number of Reviews: 46
Toyota Sienna is a hybrid minivan designed for families, offering a spacious interior for up to 8 passengers and advanced technology features.
It features supportive seats and available options like heated front seats, enhancing passenger comfort. The three-zone automatic climate control system allows personalized comfort for all passengers.
16. Volkswagen ID.3
Rating: 3.8/5
Number of Reviews: 32
Volkswagen ID.3 is an all-electric hatchback designed to offer an eco-friendly driving experience with practical features. It comes with user-friendly technology, like an intuitive infotainment system and advanced driver-assist features.
The hatchback design allows for cargo options, making it practical for everyday use. At the same time, it provides ample headroom and legroom, making it comfortable for both drivers and passengers. The use of eco-friendly materials in interior design appeals to environmentally-conscious consumers.
15. Audi Q5
Rating: 3.9/5
Number of Reviews: 27
The Audi Q5 is a luxury SUV known for its comfortable ride and premium interior. It is equipped with advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.
This SUV features cutting-edge technology including a digital cockpit and connectivity features. Q5’s quality interior, spacious for passengers and cargo, makes it suitable for both daily commutes and family adventures.
14. Toyota Camry
Rating: 3.9/5
Number of Reviews: 30
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and modern features. For instance, a comprehensive suite of safety technologies gives drivers peace of mind.
Camry offers ample legroom and cargo space and uses premium materials in the cabin, which enhances the overall comfort and luxury feel. Features like an intuitive infotainment system and available heated seats contribute to passenger comfort. Its well-tuned suspension provides a smooth driving experience.
13. Lexus NX
Rating: 4.0/5
Number of Reviews: 24
Lexus NX is a luxury SUV that combines style, performance, and advanced technology. This SUV prioritizes ride quality, providing a compliant and quiet driving experience.
It features premium materials and a well-appointed cabin, together with heated and ventilated seats that allow for personalized comfort preferences and an enhanced luxury experience. It is equipped with a user-friendly infotainment system and various driver-assistance features.
12. Genesis G70
Rating: 4.0/5
Number of Reviews: 28
Genesis G70 is a luxury compact sedan that combines performance with sophisticated design.
G70 features premium materials and a well-designed cabin, together with options like 16-way adjustable seats and available Nappa leather for overall comfort. It is equipped with an intuitive infotainment system and various driver-assistance features, which enhances convenience. The refined suspension offers a balanced and comfortable driving experience.
11. Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan
Rating: 4.1/5
Number of Reviews: 19
Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan is an all-electric vehicle that combines advanced technology with high-end comfort. With an estimated range of up to 350 miles, EQS allows for longer trips with fewer charging stops.
It offers a roomy cabin with premium materials, along with heated and ventilated seats. It has features like a massive 17.7-inch OLED display and a comprehensive infotainment system. The adaptive air suspension ensures a quiet and comfortable driving experience, absorbing road imperfections effectively.
10. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Rating: 4.1/5
Number of Reviews: 27
Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a midsize sedan known for its premium design and advanced technology.
The cabin features premium materials, spacious seating, and customizable ambient lighting. Options like ventilated and massaging front seats enhance passenger comfort during long drives. Along with great air suspension, it also has excellent sound insulation to ensure smooth rides.
9. Mazda CX-30
Rating: 4.1/5
Number of Reviews: 42
The Mazda CX-30 is known for its engaging driving experience and stylish design. It features technologies like Smart City Brake Support and adaptive cruise control contribute to a stress-free driving experience.
It features premium materials and a well-designed cabin that enhances comfort. The suspension systems are tuned for a balanced ride, providing overall travel comfort over various road conditions. Mazda also focuses on ideal driving positions, ensuring comfort during long journeys.
8. Audi A6
Rating: 4.2/5
Number of Reviews: 47
Audi A6 is a luxury midsize sedan that features premium comfort and advanced technology, such as the intuitive MMI infotainment system and optional Bang & Olufsen sound system.
The A6 features quality materials, ample legroom, and available ventilated front seats that provide comfort for both drivers and passengers. A three-zone automatic climate control system allows personalized comfort for everyone seated. The comfort-first suspension tuning ensures a smooth driving experience.
7. Audi Q3
Rating: 4.3/5
Number of Reviews: 36
Audi Q3 is a compact luxury SUV known for its comfortable interior and premium features.
It has a spacious cabin with high-quality materials, together with standard features like a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, and leather upholstery. It has supportive and adjustable front seats, including optional 8-way power seats with lumbar support. The intuitive infotainment system comes with a large touchscreen and smartphone integration
6. Lexus RX
Rating: 4.4/5
Number of Reviews: 26
Lexus RX is a midsize SUV known for comfort, advanced technology, and stylish design. Features like the driver-assistance enhance convenience and ease of use.
RX features highly adjustable front and rear seats with heating and ventilation options. The suspension is tuned for a refined ride. Overall, it is equipped with premium features like high-quality finishes and ambient lighting to create a luxurious atmosphere.
