Thanks to better nutrition, hygiene, and health, Americans enjoyed a growth spurt over the past century — growing both taller and wider.
Understandably, much of the media focus has been on the alarming amount of weight we’ve put on due to our consumption of ultra-processed foods, larger portion sizes, and a general lack of physical activity.
The average American has gained 25 pounds since 1960, according to the CDC, while three out of four adults are now considered obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater.
But even though there haven’t been as many headlines, Americans have also been inching skyward, with the average American man adding three inches in height since 1900, to 5 feet 10 inches, while the American woman’s height increased an average of one inch, to 5 feet 4 inches. (Teenagers, on average, are growing even faster than that).
Since the early 2000s, automakers have responded to the “fattening of America” by making vehicles wider, adding more interior space, and even using bigger crash test mannequins when designing their vehicles to ensure they are safe for larger-sized passengers.
But when it comes to accommodating those of us with a few extra vertical inches, car manufacturers surprisingly haven’t done too much.
Taller drivers often feel frustrated when searching for a new car or SUV that can give them the extra headroom and legroom they need to drive comfortably. And those drivers who are taller than six feet on average, may find buying a new car to be downright challenging.
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Consumer Reports helps consumers — of all sizes
Thankfully, there’s Consumer Reports (CR), a trusted advocate for consumers and well-known authority for automobiles since 1936.
The nonprofit independently purchases vehicles and, using state-of-the-art measurement tools, puts them through a barrage of tests on its six-mile closed track in Colchester, Connecticut.
CR analyzes every aspect of vehicle performance, from acceleration, braking, controls, and displays to handling, fuel economy, ride comfort, cargo space, and of course, safety.
It also conducts extensive surveys of its more than six million members in search of answers on qualitative factors, like vehicle reliability and owner satisfaction.
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CR’s tall driver methodology
CR’s test drivers log a ton of hours, which is time spent not only on the road with the vehicle in motion, but also when it’s parked, so that they can measure how easy it is for a driver over six feet tall to get into and out of their car or SUV.
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In addition to ease of access, testers also evaluate vehicles in terms of driving position, front-seat comfort, and visibility.
In order to be featured on its list of best cars and SUVs for tall people, models that ranked highly also needed to achieve the “CR Recommendation,” which is the organization’s highest mark.
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A “CR Recommended” vehicle has earned excellent scores in terms of performance, reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety.
Here’s Consumer Reports’ 2025 list of best cars and SUVs for tall drivers:
10 best cars for tall drivers in 2025, according to Consumer Reports
Here are CR’s top picks for tall drivers across 10 different vehicle categories.
Kia
Best compact car: Kia Soul
- Price: $20,490–$24,790
- MPG: Overall 28 / highway 35
BMW
Best luxury compact car: BMW i4
- Price: $52,800–$70,700
- MPGE: Overall 96 / Highway 98
Subaru
Best mid-sized car: Subaru Legacy
- Price: $25,210–$38,510
- MPG: Overall 28 / Highway 39
Audi
Best mid-sized luxury car: Audi A6
- Price: $58,100–$62,600
- MPG: Overall 26 / Highway 39
Honda
Best minivan: Honda Odyssey
- Price: $42,220–$51,180
- MPG: Overall 22 / Highway 33
Honda
Best compact SUV: Honda CR-V
- Price: $30,100–$50,000
- MPG: Overall 26 / Highway 33
Volkswagen
Best mid-sized 2-row SUV: Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
- Price: $37,190–$52,195
- MPG: Overall 20 / Highway 29
Honda
Best mid-sized 3-row SUV: Honda Pilot
- Price: $40,200–$54,580
- MPG: Overall 21 / Highway 29
Porsche
Best luxury mid-sized SUV: Porsche Cayenne
- Price: $84,700–$203,800
- MPG: Overall 21 / Highway 29
BMW
Best 3-row luxury mid-sized SUV: 2025 BMW X7
- Price: $84,300–$152,400
- MPG: Overall 22 / Highway 32
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