Which SUV Has The Most Legroom And Headroom?

When you are in the market for an SUV, as well as looking at the cost of the vehicle and fuel efficiency, you are also going to have concerns about the safety and the comfort of you and your passenger. You want to make sure that you are able to drive around and not feel cramped up, and the same goes for your passengers.

The best choice for the 2-row SUVs in terms of headroom is the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. For legroom for both the driver and passenger the Honda CR-V is our choice. With the 3rd-Row SUVs, the clear winner was the Ford Explorer, with the Ford Expedition and the Telluride hot on its tail.

We are going to look at the top models of 2 row and 3 row SUVs and help you to find the one that is right for you in terms of driver and passenger comfort. Please make sure to double-check the figures before buying your next SUV!

This post has been updated to reflect the most current SUV models. 

2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid on road

Headroom And Legroom In SUVs with Two Rows of Seats

There is not a massive amount of difference between these different models, but sometimes those extra inches can be what makes a ride comfortable, and what makes a ride difficult to endure. 

2021  Honda CR-V

 

The Honda CR-V is our winner when it comes to legroom for the second row, and it is definitely up there when it comes to all of the other measurements as well. This is definitely going to be a comfortable ride.

  • Headroom for first row: 40.1 in
  • Legroom for first row: 41.3 in
  • Headroom for second row: 39.2 in
  • Legroom for second row: 40.4 in

2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

 

The winner as far as first row headroom, and second-row headroom, most of the specifications are pretty sound, but that second-row legroom definitely drops off. You are going to be ok if you have a tall body, but those long legs might suffer some.

  • Headroom for first row: 42.6 in
  • Legroom for first row: 41.2 in
  • Headroom for second row: 41.7 in
  • Legroom for second row: 35.7 in

2021 BMW X1

The X1 sits between the Honda and the Jeep Wrangler for headroom in the first row, and not far behind them with the legroom, so that river is going to be comfortable. The second row measurements are closer to the Honda, and just edge out the Wrangler with the second row legroom.

  • Headroom for first row: 41.9 in
  • Legroom for first row: 40.4 in
  • Headroom for second row: 39.4 in
  • Legroom for second row: 37 in

2021 Jaguar I-Pace

 

This nice-looking SUV isn’t doing too bad with those first row headroom and legroom specs, but the second row legroom is the lowest out of the models we have looked at so far. It actually places pretty close to the bottom with that second row legroom.

  • Headroom for first row: 39.9 in
  • Legroom for first row: 40.9 in
  • Headroom for second row: 38.1
  • Legroom for second row: 35 in

2021 Chevrolet Equinox Premier Turbo Diesel

Chevrolet give us an SUV that is towards the top of the rankings with all of its measurements, meaning that those in the second row are going to be as well taken care of as those in the front row. So, the passengers and the driver are going to be happy.

  • Headroom for first row: 40 in
  • Legroom for first row: 40.9 in
  • Headroom for second row: 38.5 in
  • Legroom for second row: 39.9

2021 Hyundai Kona

The Kona is doing OK in terms of the front row, but the second row seats are one away from the bottom, with a fairly significant drop of inches of legroom for your passenger. As the driver you have pretty respectable legroom. Perhaps if the size of your passengers in the back is consistently smaller then this won’t be such a concern.

  • Headroom for first row: 38 in
  • Legroom for first row: 41.5 in
  • Headroom for second row: 37.8 in
  • Legroom for second row: 34.6 in

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Headroom for the front and back on this Subaru is lower than most of the other vehicles, but there is a lot of legroom for the front row, and the second row legroom sits somewhere in the middle in relation to the other two-row SUVs we are looking at. This is definitely a great choice.

  • Headroom for first row: 39.8 in
  • Legroom for first row: 43.1 in
  • Headroom for second row: 38 in
  • Legroom for second row: 36.5 in

2021 Audi Q5

 

The Q5 has a nice amount of headroom and legroom for the driver, and comes in just above the Subaru on that rear seating legroom. It is a nice looking vehicle, and it is set up inside so that everyone is going to enjoy the ride.

  • Headroom for first row: 39.6 in
  • Legroom for first row: 40.9 in
  • Headroom for second row: 39.3 in
  • Legroom for second row: 38.0 in

2021 Acura RDX

The Acura RDX is a heavy hitter with the measurements for the front and back seats. It does better than Q5 in everything but the headroom for the first row, so you know if the Audi is a comfortable ride the Acura is a sure bet as well.

  • Headroom for first row: 40.0 in
  • Legroom for first row: 42.0 in
  • Headroom for second row: 38.0 in
  • Legroom for second row: 38.0 in

2021 Nissan Kicks

Great in the front, and not so great in the back. The Nissan Kicks is the winner for front row legroom, but is actually at the bottom for the legroom in the back. There are a lot of great reasons to buy the Nissan Kicks, but you are going to have to judge whether or not that deficit of legroom in the back seat is a deal-breaker or not.

  • Headroom for first row: 40.4 in
  • Legroom for first row: 43.7 in
  • Headroom for second row: 38.5 in
  • Legroom for second row: 33.5 in

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

This Mercedes is another model that does well in both headroom and legroom in both the first and second row seats, so while it may not be the top in any of the measurements, its consistency across them makes it a good choice for passenger and driver comfort.

  • Headroom for first row: 37.8 in 
  • Legroom for first row: 40.8 in
  • Headroom for second row: 38.5 in
  • Legroom for second row: 37.3 in

2021 Porsche Cayenne

This one is a bit of a mystery. It was not easy to find the interior measurement in our search, but the SUV was making it onto a lot of best of lists. Maybe you can extrapolate from that headroom measurement that is near the top that they have good specs for everything else, but this was a definite dark horse.

  • Headroom for the first row: 39.6 in
  • Legroom for first row: Unkown
  • Headroom for second row: Unkown
  • Legroom for second row: Unkown

2021 Volvo XC60

Volvo have a good reputation for being reliable, and they are generally pretty spacious on the inside, and this SUV, like the Mercedes, although it doesn’t come out top in any of the measurements, it wins points for consistency, and for caring about the passengers and the driver alike.

  • Headroom for first row: 38 in
  • Legroom for first row: 41.5 in
  • Headroom for second row: 38 in
  • Legroom for second row: 38 in

Headroom And Legroom In Three Row SUVs

We are looking here at both the measurements for headroom and legroom for each of the rows, but also, take care to note the consistency between the rows as well. 

2021 Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is our winner for headspace in the second and third row and legroom in the first row. It also has a lot of legroom in both sets of back seats, which puts it clearly ahead of the pack in terms of comfort for driver and passengers.

  • Headroom for first row: 40.7 in
  • Legroom for first row: 43 in
  • Headroom for second row: 40.5 in
  • Legroom for second row: 39 in
  • Headroom for third row: 38.9 in
  • Legroom for third row: 32.2 in

2021 Dodge Journey

Dodge does pretty well here until you get to that third row, and then you have a pretty steep drop off in the legroom for anyone sitting in the back of the SUV. That’s nearly ten inches less legroom in that third row than the Explorer.

  • Headroom for first row: 39.2 in
  • Legroom for first row: 40.8 in
  • Headroom for second row: 39.2 in
  • Legroom for second row: 36.1 in
  • Headroom for third row: 37.7 in
  • Legroom for third row: 23.4 in

2020 Nissan Pathfinder

The Pathfinder is pretty close to the top measurements in both terms of headroom and legroom, and though the third row is less, which is pretty standard, it is way ahead of the Dodge Journey for third row comfort.

  • Headroom for first row: 42.2 in
  • Legroom for first row: 42.2 in
  • Headroom for second row: 39.4 in
  • Legroom for second row: 41.7 in
  • Headroom for third row: 37.8 in
  • Legroom for third row: 19.8 in

2021 GMC Acadia

The Acadia sits pretty closely alongside the Pathfinder, edging it out in that third seat legroom, but losing a little in the front and second rows. That does mean that everyone in the Acadia is having a similar experience in terms of space though, which means the manufacturers are thinking about everyone who uses the vehicle.

  • Headroom for first row: 40.3 in
  • Legroom for first row: 41 in
  • Headroom for second row: 39.6 in
  • Legroom for second row: 39.7 in
  • Headroom for third row: 37.2 in
  • Legroom for third row: 31.1 in

2021 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot seems to have adopted a similar tactic to the Acadia, spreading out those measurements between the three rows, and giving the driver just a little more legroom, which makes sense.

  • Headroom for first row: 39.5 in
  • Legroom for first row: 40.9 in
  • Headroom for second row: 40.9 in
  • Legroom for second row: 38.4 in
  • Headroom for third row: 38.9 in
  • Legroom for third row: 31.9 in

2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The Traverse, as you can see from these measurements is a heavy hitter, coming close to top measurements in both headroom and legroom for every row. That third row has a little less legroom than the other rows, but it beats out a lot of the competition still.

  • Headroom for first row: 39.6 in
  • Legroom for first row: 41 in
  • Headroom for second row: 39 in
  • Legroom for second row: 38.4 in
  • Headroom for third row: 38.2 in
  • Legroom for third row: 33.5 in

2022 Acura MDX

The Acura is another model that is seeking to achieve a balance between the legroom and headroom of the three rows, but unlike the Pilot and Acadia, the third row definitely suffers some.

  • Headroom for first row: 38.5 in
  • Legroom for first row: 41.6 in
  • Headroom for second row: 38.1 in
  • Legroom for second row: 38.5 in
  • Headroom for third row: 36.2 in
  • Legroom for third row: 29.1 in

2021 Kia Telluride

The Telluride is the clear winner for the legroom in the second row, and everyone else has a great amount of space to stretch out in as well. Everyone is really going to be able to enjoy the ride in comfort.

  • Headroom for first row: 39.5 in
  • Legroom for first row: 41.4 in
  • Headroom for second row: 38.8 in
  • Legroom for second row: 42.4 in
  • Headroom for third row: 37.8 in
  • Legroom for third row: 31.4 in

2021 Ford Expedition

The Expedition is the top choice for the third row legroom, and like the Explorer, everyone in the vehicle is getting a comfortable ride. This SUV is definitely near the top of the list, both for great headroom and legroom and consistency. It is one of the best SUVs for tall people, both drivers and passengers. 

  • Headroom for first row: 42 in
  • Legroom for first row: 43.9 in
  • Headroom for second row: 40 in
  • Legroom for second row: 41.5 in
  • Headroom for third row: 37.4 in
  • Legroom for third row: 40.9 in

2021 Hyundai Palisade

This SUV has great measurements, and again, like the Expedition, it scores high both for the actual amount of headroom and legroom, and the consistency throughout the seating that it achieves.

  • Headroom for first row: 39.3 in
  • Legroom for first row: 44.1 in
  • Headroom for second row: 38.8 in
  • Legroom for second row:42.4 in
  • Headroom for third row: 37.2 in
  • Legroom for third row: 31.4 in

2021 Mazda CX-9

Not in the top, as far as the amount of headroom and legroom, this SUV is somewhere in the middle, but it has pretty good consistency in the allocation of space.

  • Headroom for first row: 39.3 in
  • Legroom for first row: 41 in
  • Headroom for second row: 38.5 in
  • Legroom for second row: 39.4 in
  • Headroom for third row: 35.4 in
  • Legroom for third row: 29.7 in

2021 Toyota Highlander

Pretty good in terms of headroom and legroom in the first two rows, it does drop off some in the third row, and the headroom for everyone is in the medium range. Toyota are generally very comfortable cars.

  • Headroom for first row: 39.6 in
  • Legroom for first row: 42.0 in
  • Headroom for second row: 39.4 in
  • Legroom for second row: 41.0 in
  • Headroom for third row: 36.1 in
  • Legroom for third row: 27.7 in

2021 Volkswagen Atlas

This is a solid entry from Volkswagen. You get nice headroom and legroom in all of the seats, and, and everyone in the car is going to feel like they have been looked after.

  • Headroom for first row: 41.3 in
  • Legroom for first row: 41.7 in
  • Headroom for second row: 40.4 in
  • Legroom for second row: 37.6 in
  • Headroom for third row: 38.3 in
  • Legroom for third row: 33.7 in

2021 Subaru Ascent

Like the Volkswagen, this is a great SUV, with good amounts of legroom for everyone, and similar care has been taken to make sure that everyone in the vehicle is comfortable.

  • Headroom for first row: 40.1 in
  • Legroom for first row: 42.2 in
  • Headroom for second row: 38.7 in
  • Legroom for second row: 38.6 in
  • Headroom for third row: 36.3 in
  • Legroom for third row: 31.7 in

2021 Kia Sorento

A little less headroom than some of its competitors. The Sorento prioritizes legroom for the driver, as it should, but then doesn’t let down any of the passengers in terms of the amount of headroom and legroom they are allocated.

  • Headroom for first row: 40.3 in
  • Legroom for first row: 41.4 in
  • Headroom for second row: 39.1 in
  • Legroom for second row: 41.7 in
  • Headroom for third row: 36.8 in
  • Legroom for third row: 29.6 in

2021 Buick Enclave

The enclave is actually the winner for front row headspace, and it is up there with legroom too. Consistent and roomy for everyone - this is a great choice for anyone looking for a ride that takes care of drivers and passengers alike.

  • Headroom for first row: 41 in
  • Legroom for first row: 41.2 in
  • Headroom for second row: 39.9 in
  • Legroom for second row: 38.9 in
  • Headroom for third row: 37.6 in
  • Legroom for third row: 33.5 in

The Best SUV For Tall Drivers

The roomiest SUV for drivers is going to be a vehicle that has the most head and legroom in the driver's cabin. The top three we have found are the 2019 Buick Enclave, 2019 Ford Expedition, and 2019 Nissan Pathfinder. 

The SUV With the Most 3rd Row Legroom

If you carpool fully grown teenagers to sports practices, you will appreciate an SUV that has a good amount of legroom in the 3rd row. The winner in this category, at 40.9 inches, is the 2019 Ford Expedition. 

Roomiest SUV

The roomiest SUV of 2019 is the Kia Telluride, thanks to its very spacious second row! This vehicle is sure to increase in popularity once word gets out on how much room it has.

Why Should I Worry About Headroom And Legroom?

The most obvious answer that springs to mind when you are considering the question of why headroom and legroom matter is purely to do with comfort. This applies to both the driver and their passenger. If you have ever had to go on a long journey where the leg space was cramped, you know that it can be unbearable and if you have a bad back or bad knees, or anything where you need not just comfort, but actual room to stretch out, a small amount of legroom and headroom is going to be a problem.

The next thing you need to consider is safety. If you should have an accident and everyone is cramped together, the chances of you impacting someone else and hurting them and yourself is going to increase.

More about SUV's

Thinking of buying your next Sports-Utility Vehicle? We think you'll find these guides useful too -

How Big is an SUV?

Which SUVs Have Diesel Engines?

What's the cheapest full-size SUV?

And if you're still unsure whether you should get an SUV or a truck, you may also want to check out our post about which truck offers the most legroom and headroom too.

If you're searching for more SUV related topics? Check below-

Which SUV has the Best Gas Mileage?

What's the Best SUV for Towing a Travel Trailer? (Inc. Six Recommendations)

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