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Identifying the First-Gen Ford MustangBest SUVS for Tall Drivers
If you’re in the market for an SUV and are often asked how the weather is up there then this is the list for you.
We’ve Made it Easy to Find New Rides for Tall Drivers
Cars today are mostly meant to appeal to the widest demographic possible. Unfortunately, that leaves out folks who are considered tall. While shorter-than-average drivers can use seat cushions and other features to fit in almost any vehicle, taller folks don’t have that luxury.
As a guy who’s 6’6’’ I know exactly what it’s like to wish for more headroom and legroom. To that end, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten best SUVs for tall drivers.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer
We’ve tested a lot of cars over the years but very few are available with the technology and space found in the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. The front row features just over 82 total inches of combined legroom and headroom. That’s actually a couple of inches less than some of the competitors that we’ll talk about but where the Grand Wagoneer shines is in terms of total occupant comfort. The second and third rows both offer class-leading headroom and legroom so consider this SUV good for drivers and the rest of their passengers too.
GM Suburban / Yukon / Escalade
The three full-size SUVs from General Motors all get a big nod here as a trio since they offer the exact same headroom and legroom in the front row. In fact, they lead the class with up to 86.8 inches of combined headroom and legroom. That’s true regardless of which brand you choose or what trim you might pick. The Suburban, Yukon, and Escalade each have their own charms but keep in mind a couple of potential pain points. Only the Escalade has a truly luxurious interior and none of the three offer exceptional third-row space.
Lincoln Navigator / Ford Expedition
On the other hand, the Lincoln Navigator and its kin the Ford Expedition (especially in MAX form) go the opposite way. Both offer almost 86 inches of combined headroom and legroom and both continue to offer top-notch passenger space in the second and third rows. On top of that, the materials used in the cabin are modern, high-tech, and feel good to the touch. The only potential caveat could be that neither Ford nor Lincoln offer anything other than a V6 powertrain.
Nissan Pathfinder
The Pathfinder might not be as long as the Armada but it actually has more headroom and legroom for the driver and front passenger. Combined it offers 86.6 inches and that’s true of all trim levels. To sweeten the deal, the Pathfinder starts in the high $30,000s which is considerably less than its larger Armada sibling. On top of that, it’s better to drive than the Armada and gets better fuel economy.
Hyundai Palisade
If a value-oriented deal is your cup of tea look no further than to the Hyundai Palisade. This three-row SUV is big on comfort, style, and space. The front-row occupants benefit from 84.8 inches of combined headroom and legroom. The V6 powertrain under the hood is incredibly smooth and gets up to 19 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway. In addition, the Palisade comes with a massive 10-year powertrain warranty and an equally impressive five-year bumper-to-bumper limited warranty. Nothing on this list can touch that.
Toyota Grand Highlander
Consider the Grand Highlander to be one of the least well-known SUVs in this group. Part of that is simply that it’s so new to the market and part of it is that it’s not easily distinguished from its smaller counterpart. Nevertheless, it’s worthy of consideration here since it offers over 83 inches of combined headroom and legroom in the front row. On top of that it continues to offer excellent passenger comfort in the second and third rows. It’s powerful, looks good, and is full of safety tech too. We gave it a 9 out of 10 in our recent review.
BMW X7
The least combined headroom and legroom in this list so far (81.7 inches) belongs to the BMW X7 so let us explain why it’s here. Few SUVs with this much headroom and legroom provide the type of athletic handling that the X7 does. It’s also one of the most comfortable and luxurious vehicles on this list. That combination of sharp driving prowess combined with high-end amenities is hard to find.
Ford Bronco
It might seem strange to put the two-row-only Bronco on this list but it’s a true dark horse here. Its boxy proportions actually make it one of the best vehicles on this list when it comes to headroom and legroom. Combine each and you get 86.4 inches which is more than in the Navigator or the Wagoneer. Of course, there’s a cheeky way for the Bronco to beat everything else here too. Take the top off altogether. Nothing else on this list can do that.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Similar to its larger Grand Wagoneer counterpart, the Grand Cherokee is big on luxury, comfort, and space. It’s similarly as spacious as the BMW X7 but costs a bit less and is far more capable off-road. In addition, the Grand Cherokee is available as both a dedicated two-row SUV and a three-row. Finally, it’s worth noting that the third row in the Grand Cherokee is absolutely fantastic with 67.6 inches of headroom and legroom combined.
Kia Carnival
We get it, we get it, this isn’t technically an SUV but hear us out. The Carnival has 82.8 combined inches of headroom and legroom in the front row. It also has more second and third-row space than anything on this list. On top of that, it has just over 40 cubic feet of cargo space with all three rows in place.
Compare those dimensions to the Escalade with just 25.5 cubic feet of storage space and you might see where we’re going. The Carnival handles more like a car than any of these SUVs so it’s easier to drive. It’s easier to see out of as well and if you’re just buying an SUV to look cool we say go with the Kia. Not only does it kind of look like an SUV but the coolest looking thing in our book is the confidence to drive the best vehicle for the job.
