10 Most Comfortable Mass Market Cars in India

Be it in everyday traffic or on road trips, people are spending more and more time in their cars than before. As a result, it has become important for cars to be comfortable. This is true not just for new car buyers, but for used car buyers as well. Comfort has become a key aspect in the buying decision, and there are some cars that simply offer more of it than others.

For this article, we have chosen 10 of the most comfortable cars across a broad price range. There is no one particular criteria that makes a car comfortable. Instead, a car should perform well across various aspects such as NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness), suspension behaviour, features and interior for it to be considered comfortable.
 

Factors that Influence the Comfort Levels of a Car

There are four main areas to consider when one is trying to judge the comfort level of a car:

1. NVH: It stands for Noise, Vibration and Harshness. It is used to judge how well a car’s cabin is insulated against the powertrain noise, tyre noise, wind noise and other such factors. NVH levels are measured for external purposes as well.
    
2. Suspension behaviour: There is a myth among some Indian car buyers that a softer suspension is often more comfortable. That is not always the case. A softer suspension can cause a car to handle worse than a car with a stiffer suspension. Best suspensions are the ones that can take on bumps and still keep the wheels in contact with the ground, while minimising the transfer of turbulence to the cabin.
    
3. Features: Some features are simply better than others in aiding comfort. For example, an automatic climate control system keeps the cabin temperature pleasant and consistent, thus keeping the passengers comfortable.
    
4. Interior: The materials used inside a car’s cabin go a long way in making it feel comfortable. For example, the use of soft plastics over hard plastics on the door offers a better experience every time you touch it to open it. Similarly, a better design can liberate more space inside a cabin making it more comfortable.

1. Tata Altroz

The Altroz offers acceptable NVH levels, although its diesel engine is noisy. However, the Altroz features a well set up suspension. It’s on the softer side and soaks up bumps with ease. More importantly, it doesn’t feel floaty in its handling despite the soft ride quality.

The Altroz comes with cruise control and a height adjustable driver’s seat, both of which add to the driver’s comfort. It also features generous amounts of space inside the cabin, and the seats are especially soft. The 90 degree opening doors of the Altroz also allow for comfortable ingress and egress. A used Tata Altroz will prove to be great for budget conscious buyers.
 

Tata Altroz Key Comfort Features

2. Maruti Suzuki Ciaz

The Ciaz is a petrol-only offering, and that’s a great starting point for its NVH levels. The wind and tyre noises stay in check even as you approach triple digit speeds and the suspension is set up aptly for both low and high speed ride comfort. The Ciaz is also quite easy to drive, especially the steering wheel which feels light at urbane speeds. If you are on a budget and want a comfortable car for your daily commutes, a used petrol Maruti Suzuki Ciaz can be a great option.

Maruti’s premier sedan isn’t as feature rich as its competitors, however, it gets key features like cruise control and an auto dimming IRVM, making the driver’s life easier. There is ample space on offer inside the cabin, especially the leg space for rear passengers. The Ciaz gets leatherette upholstery on the seats and steering wheel. The seats are quite comfortable as well.
 

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Key Comfort Features

3. Maruti Suzuki Brezza

At lower RPMs, the Brezza’s petrol engine is silent in its operation and offers great NVH quality inside the cabin. The Brezza driver’s seat offers a great upright seating position with a commanding view of the road ahead. Its suspension is tuned for comfort at low speeds and stability at higher speeds. If you want the convenience of an SUV without breaking the bank, a used Maruti Suzuki Brezza makes a great case for itself.

The Brezza benefits from some great features for the driver, with both the heads-up display and the 360 degree camera making life easier. A cooled glove box is also offered and higher variants of the Brezza feature tilt and telescopic adjustment for the steering wheel as well. The rear seats of the Brezza are inclined and offer great under thigh support. The seats are well cushioned too and are great for highway journeys.
 

Maruti Suzuki Brezza Key Comfort Features

4. Tata Nexon

The Nexon is offered with petrol and diesel engine options, and their NVH levels are acceptable by modern standards. However, both engines are audible inside the cabin. The wind and tyre noise are kept in check though, but it’s the Nexon’s suspension that really shines through with its absorption ability.

Tata offers the Nexon with an array of features that make it more comfortable. The driver and passenger seats, along with their seat belts, are both height adjustable. There is cruise control and a 360 degree camera for the driver’s comfort as well. The Nexon’s upholstery uses leatherette and feels premium to touch. Overall, the seats are soft and the rear bench of the Nexon does well to accommodate three people.The best features are present on the Nexon’s top variants. A second hand Tata Nexon will allow you to enjoy more features at a lower price.

Tata Nexon Key Comfort Features

5. Honda City

The Honda City’s NVH levels are brilliant for urban driving. However, the petrol engine in the City likes to be revved freely, and it can become noisy. The City also does a good job of keeping the tyre and wind noise at bay at highway speeds. As for its suspension, it's softly set up, and is quite comfortable over broken roads.

While the Honda City is not as equipped with features like its rivals, it manages to do the basics well. The steering wheel is fully adjustable for height and reach, and there is even a sun blind for the rear windshield. Furthermore, all three rear passengers get their own headrest. The City’s interior quality is great and the leather upholstery feels premium. The seats of the Honda City are quite comfortable too.A second hand Honda City can offer similar comfort but at a lesser price.

Honda City Key Comfort Features

6. Hyundai Verna

The Verna is offered with a choice of two petrol engines and both their NVH levels are quite good. The turbocharged petrol engine can get loud when it is revved, but the noise levels never feel uncomfortable. Wind noise is also kept under check, although tyre noise does creep into the cabin at highway speeds. The Verna’s suspension is comfortable but it doesn’t negatively impact handling.

Being a Hyundai, the Verna gets plenty of features that keep you comfortable. Cooled seats are a really important feature in the Indian summer and the Verna takes care of the winter’s too with heated seats. The Hyundai sedan features a leatherette upholstery and the seats are comfortable. Its cabin delivers an upmarket experience compared to other cars in its segment. With the top variant of the sedan costing more than many SUVs, a second hand Hyundai Verna can be a great deal.

Hyundai Verna Key Comfort Features

7. Hyundai Creta

The Hyundai Creta is one of the most popular SUVs in India because it performs well across key areas, with one of those being comfort. The NVH levels for the petrol engines are excellent, and even the Creta’s diesel engine is only heard inside the cabin when you put it under high loads. The Creta also offers a comfortable ride quality while staying composed around corners.

The Creta is packed to the brim with features. Its panoramic sunroof does well to create a soothing ambience inside the cabin when the ambient light is low. It also features a cooled glove box, electric adjustment for the driver seat and leatherette upholstery. The seats of the Hyundai Creta offer great comfort and on both short and long drives. Lastly, the presence of sun blinds for rear passengers adds great comfort as well. The previous generation model of the Hyundai Creta was a comfortable SUV too. Therefore, a used Hyundai Creta could then be a great deal for those looking for a bargain.

Hyundai Creta Key Comfort Features

8. Tata Harrier

The Harrier is only available with a diesel engine but its NVH levels are kept under check. While the engine noise does seep inside the cabin, the experience remains comfortable. The SUV soaks up the undulations and potholes in the road surface with ease and feels planted at highway speeds. The Harrier’s suspension is tuned well for Indian road conditions.

Tata has kitted the Harrier with premium features such as dual-zone climate control and panoramic sunroof. Being a big SUV which can often be hard to judge in tight spaces, the front parking sensors on the Harrier add great comfort for the driver. The Harrier’s cabin is spacious and the seats are comfortable for long highway drives. Older units of the Tata Harrier can be a great choice for many buyers. A few year old models are available for a steal compared to the new car prices of today. 

Tata Harrier Key Comfort Features

9. Toyota Innova Hycross

The Innova Hycross is a proper hybrid, and when it's running on electric power, the refinement is excellent. When the petrol engine comes on, there is an audible hum inside the cabin. The overall NVH levels are quite good though. Its suspension is tuned for comfort and does well to soak up the irregularities in the road.

The Toyota MPV features captain seats with an ottoman and they are supremely comfortable for long distances. There are sunshades for rear passengers and a panoramic sunroof offers great ambient light during evening and night time. The seats of the Innova Hycross are draped in leather and feature a quilted pattern. A used Toyota Innova Crysta can be great for those who want similar levels of comfort.
 

Toyota Innova Hycross Key Comfort Features

10. Jeep Compass

Jeep previously used to offer the Compass with a petrol engine, but now, it’s a diesel-only offering. The NVH levels are excellent though with the diesel engine’s grunt being kept under check. The suspension in the Compass is great as well. It is highly absorbent over bumps and can be stiff in the corners, meaning that both comfort and handling are maximised.

The Compass gets premium features like dual-zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof. However, in the case of the Compass, it is the quality of the materials used inside the cabin that make it highly comfortable. The upholstery uses leather for the seats and other parts, and the seats are well-cushioned. A used Jeep Compass can be a smart move if you want the comfort of a Compass without paying the full price of a new car.

Jeep Compass Key Comfort Features

List of 10 Most Comfortable Cars in India

Conclusion

Choosing a comfortable car can be slightly challenging, as one has to first define their own comfort. Some people will prefer softly cushioned seats while others will prefer a harder seat. Such differences mean that no one car can be the most comfortable car for everyone. However, the cars on this list manage to be comfortable in their overall experience for most people.