An SUV is a vehicle designed to fit more passengers than a sedan or other type of compact, which means interior comfort is critical, especially for the driver. The 2022 Subaru Forester crossover SUV is one of the top models in the class that offers enhanced comfort and relaxed driving, thanks to its ample headroom. In fact, Consumer Reports (CR) voted it as the best compact SUV for tall drivers.
The Japanese automaker manufactured the Forester crossover as a utility car priced and sized between the Subaru Crosstrek and the larger Subaru Outback. Besides its reworked grille, new wheel designs, and blockier-looking headlights, Subaru wanted to offer value to tall drivers by building the Forester with a pleasant sense of space. The result is a comfortable two-row layout of an SUV.
Consumer Reports’ list of the “Best Cars for Tall Drivers”
Cars come in all kinds of shapes and sizes with wide-ranging seating configurations. If you’re a tall driver, it’s critical to ensure that the vehicle you buy provides good seating, comfort, and relaxed driving. That means finding a car that offers the perfect balance between legroom and headroom and ample interior space for the passengers in the second (and possibly third) row.
Consumer Reports uses test drivers from its staff, tall and short, to test a car’s driving comfort. Typically, CR’s participants evaluate the following factors: accessibility, driving position, front-seat comfort, and visibility. According to the site’s senior auto testing technician, Ryan Pszczolkowski, a car with a tilting and telescoping steering wheel is a huge plus.
Consumer Reports has tested a wide range of cars and how they suit the tall driver. Some of CR’s best cars for tall drivers include the Porsche Cayenne, BMW 7 Series, Genesis G90, Audi Q7, Volvo XC90, and Honda CR-V, among others. On the flip side, the worst cars for tall drivers are the Toyota Tacoma, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Chevrolet Camaro, and Jeep Wrangler.
Why Consumer Reports chose the Subaru Forester as the best compact SUV for tall drivers
If you’re tired of cramped car rides, choose the Subaru Forester. There’s a reason why Consumer Reports voted it the “best compact SUV for tall drivers.” The Forester is reliable and durable and provides a comfortable and quality ride. With 41.2 inches of headroom and generous legroom measuring 43.3 inches, drivers and passengers can flex their bodies without feeling restrained.
Apart from the roomy interior, the 2022 Subaru Forester also boasts standard all-wheel drive capability and driver-assistance technology on all trim levels, allowing confident driving, whether on off-the-beaten-path tracks or city streets. Beneath the familiar exterior styling, Subaru made massive improvements to the compact SUV while remaining true to the car’s sensible and practical character.
Open the Forester’s hood, and you’ll find a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that cranks out 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, delivering enough power to tow 1,500 pounds. The car also has an excellent fuel mileage of 33 mpg on city streets and 26 mpg on the highway. It’s also highly affordable, with a base MSRP range of $25,195-$35,295.
The 2022 Honda CR-V is another good choice for tall drivers
If the Subaru Forester is not your type of car or brand, you can alternatively opt for the Honda CR-V, which Consumer Reports described as “another good choice” for tall drivers. It’s one of Honda’s best-selling models because it doesn’t boast bells-n-jingle features but was explicitly built for practicality and reliability, with considerable improvements in the tech front.
Tall drivers need not worry as the vehicle comes with a spacious interior. You won’t have to worry about space issues whatsoever when driving the CR-V. You can lower the driver’s seat to increase the headroom and even take a nap in the car when you’re en route to your adventure destination. Like the Forester, the CR-V is a great deal with an MSRP range of $26,400-$37,400.
You’ll also appreciate the Honda CR-V’s performance, fuel economy, and handling. It features a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. The standard gas-powered engine provides a fuel economy of 28 mpg overall, while the CR-V Hybrid earned a 35 combined mpg rating.
RELATED: 2022 Subaru Forester vs. 2022 Crosstrek: Hi Little Brother!
