Sedan vs SUV: The Ultimate 2025 Comfort Showdown

A 1000-mile road trip is the ultimate comfort test and in 2025, the Sedan vs SUV battle gets real. From plush suspension setups to cabin noise and seat comfort, this test reveals which body style truly wins when it comes to long-distance relaxation and real-world comfort.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Okay, let’s just start at the top. The S-Class. It’s not even a car, it’s a rolling executive lounge. The rear seats are… I mean, they’re better than your living room couch. It’s whisper quiet, the ride is like it’s floating on a cloud made of money, and the cabin just makes you feel important. You’re looking at, what, like $115,000 to start? But for pure, unadulterated comfort, it’s the sedan benchmark. It’s what every other luxury car is trying to be.

Lexus ES

Now, for a normal-person budget, the Lexus ES is the comfort sleeper. It’s not flashy, it’s not trying to be sporty, it’s just… profoundly comfortable. The seats are plush, the ride is so smooth and quiet, and it just coddles you from point A to point B. For around $42,000, it’s probably the most comfortable car you can buy that doesn’t require a six-figure loan. It’s the sensible, incredibly cozy choice.

Genesis G90

The G90 is like… it’s the S-Class for people who think the S-Class is a little too obvious. The comfort level is just off the charts. It’s so quiet in there, the materials are amazing, and it has this relaxed, effortless feel. It’s a massive sedan that just smothers the road. Starts around $89,000, and honestly? It makes you wonder why you’d ever pay more. It’s that good.

Toyota Avalon

I know, I know, they stopped making it, but for 2025 you’ll still find low-mileage ones and… man, it deserves a shoutout. The Avalon was the comfort king for people who just wanted to be left alone in peace and quiet. Huge seats, a ride that just absorbed everything, and so much space. It was like, $36,000 new and it was a total comfort bargain. A forgotten hero.

BMW 7 Series

The new 7 Series is… a lot. It’s huge and controversial looking. But inside? Oh my god, the comfort. The back seat has that crazy theater screen, the doors open electrically, it’s like a tech-filled cocoon. The air suspension is magic. It’s a different kind of comfort than the S-Class—more techy, more “look what I can do.” But it’s undeniably comfortable, if you can get past the, uhm, bold exterior. Starts around $97,000.

Lexus LX

Alright, switching teams to SUVs. The Lexus LX. This is the S-Class of the SUV world, but it can also climb a mountain. It’s built like a bank vault, and the ride is just so isolated and plush. It’s incredibly quiet, the seats are fantastic, and it makes you feel invincible. But that comfort comes at a price starts at like, $92,000 and the fuel economy is… well, let’s not talk about that.

Lincoln Navigator

If you want space and comfort, the Navigator is it. It’s a land yacht. The ride is super smooth, it’s crazy quiet on the highway, and the interior, especially in the Black Label versions, is a proper luxury lounge. That third row is actually usable, unlike in some of the sedan-alternatives. You’re looking at around $82,000 to start, and for a big family that wants to travel in supreme comfort, it’s hard to beat.

Cadillac Escalade

The Escalade is the Navigator’s flashier cousin. The comfort is there, for sure the magnetic ride control is great, the seats are big and pillowy, and that curved OLED screen dashboard is a legit wow factor. It’s more about presence, you know? It starts around $82,000 as well, and it’s the comfort choice for when you want everyone to know you’re comfortable.

Genesis GV80

The GV80 is the SUV that feels like it’s from a more refined universe. The design is so elegant, and the ride is just… serene. It’s so quiet, the materials are beautiful, and it just has this relaxed confidence. For around $57,000 to start, it offers a level of comfort and sophistication that punches way, way above its price tag. It’s a serious threat to the Germans.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid

And for the “I just want a comfortable, easy, reliable life” choice… the Highlander Hybrid. It’s not lavish, but it’s profoundly comfortable in a different way. The ride is settled, the hybrid powertrain is so smooth and quiet around town, and the seats are just… really nice. For about $41,000, the comfort it offers is the comfort of zero drama. It just works, and it coddles you while doing it.