The 10 Worst New Vehicles For Tall And Short Drivers You’ll Want To Avoid

Some vehicles are the best for tall drivers. You can check out those models in my report here. Then, some models are the best for short drivers. You can check out those models in my recent report here.

And then there are the vehicles that you'll want to avoid because they are the worst for tall and short drivers. Six models beyond those don't fit either driver segment. I'll cover the best and worst from an updated ranking from Consumer Reports (by subscription).

Consumer Reports examined the scores of recently tested 2024 model-year vehicles for seat comfort, driving position, access (how easy they are to get into and out of), and view to determine which ones are better or worse for tall or short drivers. Among their testers, the shortest is 5 feet, 1 inch, and the tallest is 6 feet, 2 inches. You may be taller or shorter, but that's ok. 

Consumer Reports says, "Buying a car is an expensive, long-term commitment. Once you've narrowed your shopping list down to a few good models, it's critical to make sure you find them comfortable to drive. Before you buy, make sure the car fits your size." 

So, buckle up and see which are the worst for tall drivers. 

The 10 Worst Cars for Tall Drivers

1. Mazda MX-5 Miata
2. Toyota Supra
3. Lucid Air
4. Porsche 718 Boxter
5. Jeep Gladiator
6. Polster 2
7. Jeep Wrangler
8. Chevrolet Trax
9. Chevrolet Camaro
10. Lincoln Navigator

Now, here are The 10 Worst Cars for Short Drivers

1. Mazda MX-5 Miata
2. Jeep Wrangler
3. Chevrolet Camaro
4. Nissan Z
5. Jeep Gladiator
6. Mitsubishi Mirage
7. Ford F-150
8. Lucid Air
9. Nissan Titan
10. Porsche 718 Boxter

A handful of cars are incredibly versatile and rated very highly by tall and short testers, but that's rare. The Subaru Forester compact SUV is one of those vehicles. You can read my report here. 

These six models are worst for both tall and short drivers. So, for these models, you have to be very average in size, not too tall and not too short. If you want to be comfortable in the driver's seat of these models, you'll need to be between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 10 inches. Any more or less, and you'll be sorry you bought the vehicle. 

1. Mazda MX-5 Miata
2. Lucid Air
3. Porsche 718 Boxter
4. Jeep Gladiator
5. Jeep Wrangler
6. Chevrolet Camaro

There are vehicles ranked by Consumer reports that are the best for tall and short drivers. Here are the top picks for you. 

What Are The Best Models For Tall Drivers?

The Best Mainstream Models

• Best Compact Car for Tall Drivers - Kia Soul
• Best Midsized Car for Tall Drivers - Subaru Legacy
• Best Minivan for Tall Drivers - Honda Odyssey
• Best Compact SUV for Tall Drivers - Subaru Forester
• Best Midsized 2-Row SUV for Tall Drivers - Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
• Best Midsized 3-Row SUV for Tall Drivers - Kia EV9

Consumer Reports says, "When judging cars, I pay particular attention to the balance of legroom, headroom, and comfortable reach to the steering wheel," says Ryan Pszczolkowski, CR's tire program manager, who's 6 feet, 2 inches tall. "Having a steering wheel that can tilt and telescope makes a big difference." 

What Are The Best Models For Short Drivers?

Best Mainstream Cars

• Best Compact Car for Short Drivers - Kia Soul
• Best Compact SUV for Short Drivers - Subaru Forester
• Best Midsized Car for Short Drivers - Toyota Crown
• Best Midsized 2-Row SUV for Short Drivers - Subaru Outback 
• Best Midsized 3-Row SUV for Short Drivers - Honda Pilot
• Best Minivan for Short Drivers - Honda Odyssey

Mary Reed, the 5-foot, 1-inch business manager at CR's Auto Test Center, explains what she looks for in evaluating a car: "I adjust the seat for comfort before driving, sliding it forward as needed and moving the steering wheel. I then consider the visibility over the hood and to the rear, especially the corners. With everything adjusted, I then check access to make sure the ease of entry factors into my specific setup. This is something that would be easy to overlook on a test drive."

For the best Luxury models, you can read my report here for short drivers and here for tall drivers.

What About You?

Do you have a car or truck that fits you the best? What is it? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Freepiks