[davidrw]

What's the most comfortable car you've ever driven, and how far did you take it? I once did 1200 miles in 36 hours, in a 2015 Lexus LS 460 I borrowed for a road trip from Boston down to Asheville, North Carolina. That thing was like driving a leather wrapped cloud massaging seats, whisper quiet cabin suspension that just erased the highway. I knocked out 850 miles in one day and stepped out feeling like I'd driven to the grocery store. The seats had this perfect balance of support and softness the climate control somehow kept everything exactly right.

I also had the chance to drive a BMW 7 Series on a long haul once, and I have to say, it gave the Lexus a run for its money in the comfort department. The adaptive air suspension glided over rough pavement like it wasn't even there, and those multi contour seats with active ventilation kept me fresh for hours on end. The cabin isolation was unreal you could barely hear the engine at highway speeds.

What's your ultimate comfort machine?

[Phillies8008]

I haven't driven a lot of the luxury cruisers, but way back in the day I rented a Buick Park Avenue. It was a freakin' boat, but I'll be damned if it wasn't a comfortable, smooth-riding boat. But I'm sure something vaguely modern like the Lexus or 7 series would put it to shame.

I've kind of toyed with picking up a used 7 just because the ride would be so luxurious, but I just don't think I'd want to drive it every day.

[vt100]

RAM 2500

[25 V8 IS]

Well, my IS 500 is plenty comfortable for long trips. The seats are amazing and have heat/cooling. In normal mode I can also get around 25mpg which is not bad from a 5.0L V8.

[PurpleZ]

Originally Posted by Phillies8008

Buick Park Avenue

Soooo true. I never drove one, but back in my high school days one of my good friends mom had one and we frequently took cruises in it. I remember it was like floating in a cloud. That was until one night he took a corner too fast and wrote the car off (no one hurt, blind tight corner, poorly marked w/no warnings of a tight turn or speed limit reduction)

[Phillies8008]

Originally Posted by Steveski

Soooo true. I never drove one, but back in my high school days one of my good friends mom had one and we frequently took cruises in it. I remember it was like floating in a cloud. That was until one night he took a corner too fast and wrote the car off (no one hurt, blind tight corner, poorly marked w/no warnings of a tight turn or speed limit reduction)

Yeah, they didn't exactly turn on a dime, lol.

[Lebbros]

S Class Benz

[Suds]

For the driver, driving single.

2019 BMW M4c in June of 2020 when the country was unlocking.
Houston to LA, LA to Lake City CO, then Lake City back to Houston. There were some 1000 mile runs in that trip.

Second would be an Audi S4. That thing ate tarmac too, and great on ski trips.

[OC40]

2013 mini s

Longest trips (all round trip except #1):

1. Scottsdale to Chicago
2. Chicago to NYC four times
3. Chicago to Boston, Portland, Montreal, Tortonto
4. Chicago to Toronto
5. Chicago to Indiana, PA six times

Kidding, that?s why we purchased an m340 in November.

My old 2013 335 msport with mppk/mps was super comfortable for road trips.

[OC40]

Originally Posted by Phillies8008

I haven't driven a lot of the luxury cruisers, but way back in the day I rented a Buick Park Avenue. It was a freakin' boat, but I'll be damned if it wasn't a comfortable, smooth-riding boat. But I'm sure something vaguely modern like the Lexus or 7 series would put it to shame.

I've kind of toyed with picking up a used 7 just because the ride would be so luxurious, but I just don't think I'd want to drive it every day.

Had an ?88 grand marquis from early ?97 to summer of ?98. Talk about a floating boat. Maroon.

I actually saw the same year and color a month ago, but it was the crown vic.

[Lang2u]

I have to agree with davidrw when he said he, "had the chance to drive a 2012 BMW 7 Series on a long haul once, and I have to say, it gave the Lexus a run for its money in the comfort department." The 7 series is a great long distance sofa on wheels! I once owned a 745i and it always felt like I was stepping into and out of my living room.

[Janjohn]

We bought a 2010 5 series with turbo inline 6 as a CPO and drove to and from Jackson Hole Wyoming. It was very luxurious to us and had plenty of horsepower and torque. We used it as a daily driver for a few years and loved it.

[snowbimmer]

Easy: M850. 10,892 miles, 35 days, last year.


Day 26: Wheeling, WV

[Leucosticte]

F01 Alpina B7 but unfortunately only about a 4 hour round trip.

[maticCRO]

Originally Posted by snowbimmer

Easy: M850. 10,892 miles, 35 days, last year.
Attachment 3913315

Day 26: Wheeling, WV
Attachment 3913317

Now thats a road trip, epic drive
For me the most comfortable car was BMW X6 2011 that my father had, super comfy seats and headrest.
I imagine newer ones are even better but i never drove one

[Murf the Surf]

We've driven the RAM 1500 ecoDiesel with air suspension to Florida 3 times. Most comfortable vehicle I've had. 30MPG on the highway, I run out of gas before it needs more diesel.

[Lang2u]

Had to have my X6 serviced for loss of pressure to driver seat massage.
BMW Tech was awsome, and found error with the pump and module. Had it ordered overnight and replaced next day! See service tech pics of back of opened driver's seat. Good thing my X6 is under lease.

[pbonsalb]

I would probably buy a big Lexus or Mercedes if I wanted a luxury road trip car. I am only 61 so I am not old enough for one yet. I am still willing to sacrifice some comfort for performance so I have been driving M3 and M5 for the past 20 years. I have also thought about an SUV since the seat is more upright and the car is higher and easier to get in, like a Cayenne Turbo. If I stop caring about performance, maybe a Land Cruiser or Lexus version of it.

[EmilySlark]

Originally Posted by davidrw

What's the most comfortable car you've ever driven, and how far did you take it? I once did 1200 miles in 36 hours, in a 2015 Lexus LS 460 I borrowed for a road trip from Boston down to Asheville, North Carolina. That thing was like driving a leather wrapped cloud massaging seats, whisper quiet cabin suspension that just erased the highway. I knocked out 850 miles in one day and stepped out feeling like I'd driven to the grocery store. The seats had this perfect balance of support and softness the climate control somehow kept everything exactly right.

I also had the chance to drive a BMW 7 Series on a long haul once, and I have to say, it gave the Lexus a run for its money in the comfort department. The adaptive air suspension glided over rough pavement like it wasn't even there, and those multi contour seats with active ventilation kept me fresh for hours on end. The cabin isolation was unreal you could barely hear the engine at highway speeds.

What's your ultimate comfort machine?

That LS 460 experience you described is exactly right. Those cars are engineered for people who want to arrive fresh, not for drivers who want to feel the road. 850 miles in a day without feeling destroyed is the ultimate test of a grand tourer, and the Lexus passes.

For me, the most comfortable long haul machine was a 2017 Mercedes S550 I took from Munich down to Lake Como and back. About 900 miles round trip through the Alps and autobahn. The magic of that car is how it filters out the world. You're going 100 mph on the autobahn and it feels like 60. Then you hit the twisty mountain roads and the active body control just leans into corners like a cruiser. The seats have this hot stone massage function that sounds gimmicky but actually works on a tired back. And the air suspension is so good that you don't realize how bad the road is until you get out and walk on it.

The 7 Series you mentioned is close, but the Mercedes has this extra layer of isolation that makes long distances feel short. I did one 400 mile leg straight through and got out feeling like I'd just had a spa day. That's the benchmark for comfort to me, when the car disappears entirely and you're just present in the space.

[Our03z4]

I have an Audi D4 A8LWB with the 4.0T. It's been an excellent road trip car, endless power, smooth ride, massage seats and tons of room. I can get up to 33mpg on the highway as well. 29 with a roof box. We did a 6k mile road trip in 13 days a few years ago and felt no worse for wear. It's a true coast to coast car, they've even used them in the Cannonball Run. Every single person who has ever rode in it loves the car. People actually request it's the one I bring.

Key is to find a D4 since it has mechanical buttons still, a lot of people going back from D5s. I will also add that it has been the most reliable car I've ever owned, 120k miles with zero break downs or issues. (out of about 30 cars through the years) Only code ever thrown was for an O2 sensor that took not even 10 mins to change. Easy maintenance as well.

Downside, as with all Audi's, is the heavy front end. Big power comes with big weight. 0-60 3.9 seconds and with just a tune down to the 2.98s. I will buy another D4 when the time comes, hopefully I'll be able to find a low mileage example so I can enjoy it all over again.