For 2022 the year has started off with some great SUVs with lots of features and configurations. The quantifiable specs like power, towing, and pricing is easy to find. But what about the literal seat-of-the-pants stuff like smooth or harsh rides? We’ve got that covered right here. 

2022 SUVs ride smoother, better than ever

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

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

With so many sizes of SUVs out there, well keep this look to three-row mid- and large-SUVs. Most of the smaller SUVs and Crossovers are car-based and in most cases, these three-row SUVs are their own animal. Some even use half-ton truck frames and suspensions that are tweaked. We’ll also stay away from premium brands, sticking with the mainstream manufacturers. Sorry, Mercedes and Porsche.

So which 2022 SUV rides the smoothest?

Based on consumer advice groups and our own driving experiences, these are the top three-row SUVs for a smooth ride. Topping the list is the 2022 Kia Telluride. It checks off lots of boxes, but the ride is just superior to the others. Surprisingly, it is also the least expensive of the bunch, confounding the adage that money will buy you better. Also belying that is the cabin looks upscale, not cheap and plastic-y.

Next up is another Korean manufacturer’s three-row, the 2022 Hyundai Palisade. Slightly more expensive than the Telluride, you can get one loaded for under $50,000. The cabin is quiet, with only a slightly stiffer suspension compared to the Kia, but only slightly. It is a capable SUV throughout from the base model to the top-of-the-line. Your family will love it.

Third on our list is the 2022 Honda Pilot. It is the largest SUV Honda makes, and it displays that Honda quality and style. The cabin is comfortable and quiet, with only a slight harshness noticed over bumps and train tracks. Packaging is well done, and the most expensive trim will set you back a little over $50,000. 

These SUVs are truck-based

The next three are hampered in this category due to their size and truck underpinnings. But these are mostly considered better SUVs by many for those reasons. This shows that ride alone is not the only metric in choosing a new vehicle. But in some cases, the ride is smoother than even Meercedes can build. And the advantage over the first three is that passenger and cargo specs are better because they are larger.

So just below the Honda is the Chevy Suburban, which some consider the penultimate SUV. The ride is definitely stiffer than the above models, but it is also an extremely comfortable ride with the added bonus of space. There is definitely plenty of room inside. You don’t feel closed in on. Though Suburbans can get close to $80,000 fully loaded, you can get into a base model, which is well-appointed, for $55,000.

Are the Yukon and Tahoe the same?

At about the same place as the Suburbans, is the GMC Yukon. It is just a slightly shorter version of the Suburban, which some prefer when it comes to parking and maneuverability. Chevy builds a virtually identical model with its Tahoe. The difference between the Suburban and Yukon is due mostly to the shorter wheelbase, which adds a slight more chop to the ride. But the base model is just over $50,000, so you’ll walk away with a bit more in your wallet.

The last of our six is the 2022 Ford Expedition. It has had its ups and downs over the decades, but the latest Expedition is class-leading in many respects. It is a larger version of the Explorer and is underpinned by the T3 Platform F-150 frame and suspension. As with the others, the cabin can be spec’d with a myriad of luxury features, with the top model hitting just above $80,000.