The Best SUV for Large Person: Why Hip, Shoulder and Legroom Specs are Key

Some individuals are built tall and just larger than average. Every individual’s body is different, but everyone wants a comfortable space when they are driving. Feeling cramped or squished isn’t ideal for driving. Individuals who are big and tall might wonder about their best options.

Sports utility vehicles (SUVs) could be the ideal vehicle for those who need extra space in the driver’s seat. The best SUV for a large person is best summed up as the models that provide the best hip, shoulder and legroom.

What is the best SUV for large person? The site iSeeCars rounded up a list of the SUVs that offer the most space in the driver’s seat; the five roomiest SUVs are:

• Ford Explorer (Base 4WD)
• Buick Enclave (Avenir AWD)
• Chevy Traverse (AWD 1LS)
• Honda Pilot (Black Edition AWD)
• Acura MDX (AWD)

What is the Best SUV for Larger Person?

The best SUV for a larger person might be the Ford Explorer, as it offers the most hip, leg and shoulder space. The Explorer offers 40.7 inches of headroom, 43 inches of legroom (in the front), 61.8 inches of shoulder room and 59.2 inches of hip room.

Among the models on the list compiled by iSeeCars, the Explorer provides the most space when all measurements are averaged out. However, it is not the best option for hip or shoulder space; it was beat out ever so slightly by a different model in each of these measurements.

Again, though, the Explorer is the most spacious option for taller, larger drivers. The 2022 Explorer starts at $34,010 and gets 27 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. It has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 to 5,600 pounds. The Explorer includes three rows of seating and has space for seven.

It received a Top Safety Pick+ rating/award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

What SUV for Large Person offers the Most Hip Room?

Some drivers need more hip room. The Ford Explorer might be the most spacious SUV overall, but the Acura MDX offers the most hip room. While the Explorer provides 59.2 inches of hip room, the MDX offers a tiny bit more space with 59.3 inches. While the 1/10 of an inch isn’t significant, it still gives the MDX the advantage.

The 2022 Acura MDX is a luxury option, though. The MDX starts at $48,000. The fuel efficiency of the MDX is fairly average for a larger SUV—19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. The 2022 MDX also offers three rows of seating and space for 7.

Buyers needing extra space should be comfortable; the MDX provides 38.5 inches of headroom, 41.6 inches of legroom (front seat), 61.9 inches of shoulder room and 59.2 inches of hip room. The 2022 Acura MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating/award from the IIHS.

What SUV for Large People Offers the Most Shoulder Room?

The Ford Explorer also was bested by another model for shoulder room space. The SUV for large people that offers the most shoulder room is the 2022 Buick Enclave (Avenir AWD). The model provides 62.2 inches of shoulder room, 41.2 inches of headroom (also more than the Explorer), 41.2 inches of legroom and 59 inches of front hip room.

The Buick Enclave Avenir also might be considered a luxury model; it has a starting MSRP of $55,100. The Enclave Avenir gets average fuel efficiency for its size—18 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway.

Like the Acura MDX and the Ford Explorer, the Enclave Avenir also offers three rows of seating and space for seven.

What is the Best SUV for Large People with the Most Headroom?

Some individuals have longer torsos and are taller than average. They need an SUV or vehicle that offers the most headroom. Among all the models on the iSeeCars list, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse (AWD 1LS) provides the most head room—41.4 inches. It also provides 41 inches of front legroom, 61.9 inches of front shoulder room and 58.1 inches of front hip room.

 The Traverse offers three rows of seating and space for eight; the LS has a starting MSRP of $33,700. It offers comparable fuel efficiency of other mid-size SUVs—18 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway.

What is the Best SUV for Big Guys 2020?

Buyers might not have the budget for a new model SUV; some buyers actually prefer to buy used models. Kelley Blue Book (KBB) included a list of the best used models for tall people; the 2018 to 2020 Nissan Rogue was named the top choice.

The 2020 Rogue offers 41.6 inches of front seat headroom, 43 inches of legroom, 56.6 inches of shoulder room and 54 inches of hip room. The 2020 Rogue had a starting MSRP of $25,490 and offered good fuel efficiency—26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. However, the Rogue only offers two rows and space for five.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue received a Top Safety Pick award/rating (with specific headlights) from the IIHS.

What is the Best Small SUV for Large Person?

The 2022 Honda Pilot Black Edition is a midsize SUV that offers three rows of seating for seven or eight people. The Pilot (Black Edition) has a starting MSRP of $51,870 and provides decent fuel efficiency—19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway.

The Honda Pilot (Black Edition) also provides plenty of space for larger drivers. It offers 39.5 inches of front headroom, 40.9 inches of front legroom, 62 inches of front shoulder room and 59.1 inches of front hip room.

What about smaller SUVs for larger drivers? Are there any spacious compact SUVs for those who need more legroom, shoulder room or hip room? While smaller or compact SUVs offer less space overall, they could still provide plenty of room in the front seat.

Those who are looking for a smaller spacious SUV could opt for the Honda CR-V. It offers 41.3 inches of legroom, 57.9 inches of front shoulder room and 55.1 inches of front hip room. The CR-V’s main competitor is the Toyota RAV4; the RAV4 Adventure AWD offers 39.5 inches of headroom, 41 inches of legroom, 57.8 inches of shoulder room and 54.3 inches of hip room.

How Can Larger Drivers Find the Roomiest and Most Comfortable SUV?

Drivers who are taller or larger can review the measurements of different SUVs to understand the roomiest models. However, measurements don’t always tell the whole story for buyers.

The best way to understand if a vehicle is the best or most comfortable option is to take a test drive. Buyers might find the front seat to be spacious, but maybe they don’t like how the seat adjusts. Perhaps the front seat space is uncomfortable for another reason.

A test drive also helps buyers understand how a vehicle handles on the road. If the front seat is comfortable but the buyer doesn’t like how the vehicle drives, it might not be the best choice. Buyers might need to consider other models.

There are a number of features that can make a certain vehicle the best option for a buyer. Price could be a major deal breaker. A buyer might feel comfortable in a certain SUV, but they might find that the price is just too high.

If buyers do discover that a pricier SUV is their best option, they could search for used models. Older models might be just as comfortable but could feature a lower price tag. However, dealerships vary in what they offer via their used inventory.

Buyers looking for a specific used model might need to conduct a search via car shopping websites to find available models in their area. In addition, popular new models also might be more difficult to find when the demand is high.

Use RelayCars to Explore all the Best SUV Models

Car buyers also can download the RelayCars app or visit the RelayCars website via the mobile device to explore cars using interactive 3D models, augmented reality or virtual reality (with Google Cardboard). The RelayCars app is free to download on both Google Play and the App Store.

Both the website and the app let buyers explore different vehicles using immersive 3D models. Buyers can interact with these models using a fingertip; turn the vehicle around or explore the interior. RelayCars also lets buyers swap out the paint trim on any model in the inventory.

The website also gives buyers the option to explore cars in augmented reality. Access this experience by using the camera of a smartphone or tablet; the camera will capture any space in the user’s environment, and a model of the car will appear in this space. Navigate the experience via the camera and preview vehicles anywhere.

Both the RelayCars app and website also includes specs and pricing information related to all the models in the inventory. Use RelayCars as a one-stop destination for car exploration and research to find the best vehicle and understand the different features of favorite models.