The year has kicked off with some excellent SUVs with many features and configurations. The quantifiable specs — like power, towing, and pricing — are easy to find. But what about the seat-of-the-pants stuff like smooth or harsh rides? We cover that right here with six of the smoothest-riding 2022 SUVs.

New SUVs ride better than ever

Over the years, automakers have refined suspensions, shocks, and seat construction to give SUV owners the best of many worlds. Insulation has also improved, providing a quieter ride. The noise level can distract from the experience, so that’s important too. 

Sometimes, the differences are hard to determine, but in other cases, they’re clear. Some SUVs display a harsher, stiffer, or, conversely, mushier ride. That’s sometimes worse than the opposite. You want a smooth ride, but you also want one that doesn’t make you feel like it’s leaning too hard in turns. Or one that’s so washed out you feel like the tires are dancing around, never solidly planted.  

With so many sizes of vehicles out there, we’ll keep this look to three-row midsize and large SUVs. Most of the smaller models are car-based crossovers, and in most cases, these three-row SUVs are their own animal. Some even use tweaked half-ton truck frames and suspensions. We’ll also avoid premium brands and stick with mainstream manufacturers. Sorry, Mercedes and Porsche.

Which 2022 midsize SUV rides the smoothest?

Based on consumer advice groups and our own driving experiences, here are the best three-row SUVs for a smooth ride:

2022 Kia Telluride: Topping the list is the 2022 Kia Telluride. It checks off many boxes, but the ride is superior to the others. Surprisingly, it’s also the least expensive of the bunch, confounding the adage that money will buy you better. Also belying that is the cabin — it looks upscale, not cheap and plasticky.

2022 Hyundai Palisade: Next up is another South Korean manufacturer’s three-row. The 2022 Hyundai Palisade is slightly more expensive than its Telluride cousin. But you can get a fully loaded Palisade for under $50,000. The cabin is quiet, with a slightly stiffer suspension than the Kia. And every trim, from the base model to the top tier, is capable. Your family will love it.

2022 Honda Pilot: Third on our list of the smoothest-riding 2022 SUVs is the Honda Pilot. It’s the largest SUV in the lineup, and it deftly displays the brand’s quality and style. The cabin is comfortable and quiet, with only a slight harshness over bumps and train tracks. The packaging is well done, and the range-topping trim will set you back a little over $50,000. 

Which 2022 full-size SUV rides the smoothest?

These next three SUVs’ larger size and truck underpinnings hamper their ride smoothness. However, they’re mostly better vehicles for those reasons. Ride alone isn’t the only metric in choosing a new vehicle. But in some cases, the ride is smoother than even Mercedes can build. And large SUVs’ advantage over the above midsize crossovers is greater passenger and cargo space.

2022 Chevy Suburban: Ranking just below the Pilot is the 2022 Chevy Suburban, which some consider the ultimate SUV. The ride is stiffer than the above models, but it’s also supremely comfortable with the bonus of space. The cavernous cabin provides plenty of room to stretch out. Though a fully loaded Suburban approaches $80,000, you can get a well-appointed base model for $55,000.

2022 GMC Yukon: Ranking about the same in ride smoothness as the Suburban is the GMC Yukon. It’s a slightly shorter version of its Chevy cousin, which some drivers prefer when parking and maneuvering. Chevrolet builds a virtually identical model with the Tahoe. The difference between the Suburban and Yukon is primarily due to the shorter wheelbase, which adds slightly more chop to the ride. But the base model costs just over $50,000, so you’ll walk away with a bit more in your wallet.

2022 Ford Expedition: The last of our six smooth-riding 2022 SUVs is the Expedition. It has had its ups and downs over the decades, but the latest model is class-leading in many respects. The T3 Platform F-150 frame and suspension underpin this larger version of the Explorer. Like the others, the Expedition’s cabin can be spec’ed with numerous luxury features. Ford prices the top-of-the-line trim just over $80,000.