Best and Worst Cars for Tall and Short Drivers

Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site.

Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site.

Buying a car is an expensive, long-term commitment. Once you've narrowed your shopping list down to a few good cars, it's critical to make sure you find them comfortable to drive.

To help members find a good fit, Consumer Reports took a close look at the scores of recently tested vehicles for seat comfort, driving position, access (how easy they are to get in and out of), and the view out to find out which vehicles are better or worse for tall or short drivers. Among our testers, the shortest is 5 feet 1 inch and the tallest is 6 feet 2 inches.

A handful of cars are especially versatile and are rated very highly by both tall and short testers. Families with different-sized drivers might consider the BMW X5, Subaru Forester, and the Toyota Highlander. Similarly, several models serve neither tall nor short drivers well, such as the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Toyota Tacoma.

Bear in mind that some models give drivers space at the detriment of backseat passengers. It is important to see how a car will work for your specific needs, and often that means bringing the whole family to the dealership for a fitting.

Measurements and comfort ratings can be compared on the model pages, available from the linked names below.

Best Cars for Tall Drivers

Best Cars for Short Drivers

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