10 Best Cars in Australia for Tall Drivers

For the taller members of our audience, this extends to you, perhaps more than others. The shape of vehicles, and the way manufacturers design and package their interiors has continued to evolve in recent years, and while some developments have been great for tall drivers, in some vehicles, it can make you feel more cramped while you’re behind the wheel.

Put simply, you want a car that makes you feel like you’re sitting in a living room sofa, not a baby seat. 

Thankfully, OnlineAuto is here to help all the tall Australians out there looking for a comfortable option, and we’re going to cover a range of vehicles to give you a better idea of your options out there on the market. Here's our list of the 10 best cars in Australia for tall drivers.

1. Toyota HiLux

If you’re looking for maximum space and comfort, dual-cab utes provide one of the best platforms tailor-made for tall drivers, allowing you to stretch out and get comfortable on your work commute or on a holiday road trip. 

Specifically, the Toyota HiLux is one of the best in the business, featuring a straightforward cabin with a heap of headroom and a great view out of the front windshield. The cabin has been designed with ergonomics in mind, ensuring that all the important features are within reach, allowing you to keep your eyes on the road. 

2. Honda Civic

While our list might be dominated by SUVs and utes, the latest-generation Honda Civic is proof that tall drivers can sit comfortably in a sedan platform, and there’s no need to opt specifically for a large SUV if you’re a tall driver looking for something a bit more friendly on the budget. 

The latest generation Honda Civic features a radically redesigned interior, and rides on all-new architecture that has given Honda’s team of engineers and cabin designers more flexibility with their interiors. 

As a result, the Honda Civic features a focussed driving stance that positions the driver low down in the vehicle, which is perfect for tall drivers. There’s absolutely no issues when it comes to shoulder and headroom, making the all-new Civic a great car for tall drivers in a significantly smaller package than an SUV.  

3. Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a family-favourite, and it’s not hard to see why. Step inside the Santa Fe and you’ll be pleased to find acres of headroom, and a cabin design that positions the central tunnel in a somewhat raised position, making tall drivers feel as though they’re sitting lower in the cabin than they actually are. 

To make things even better, higher-spec variants receive a panoramic sunroof, which in some cases can be something to avoid for tall drivers. Thankfully, there’s still a heap of headroom for the tallest of drivers inside the Santa Fe, with the sunroof only adding to the sense of space and comfort inside the cabin. 

4. Subaru Forester

Subaru’s latest Forester has had its interior reshaped by the company’s designers, with a huge emphasis on occupant space and comfort. The previous model was already impressive when it came to head, shoulder and legroom for taller drivers, and surprisingly, this recipe has been perfected again in the latest generation Forester. 

With its raised ride height, the Forester positions the driver’s seat relatively low-down in the cabin, which is the perfect match for tall drivers looking for a spacious interior cabin. 

5. Volvo XC90

The XC90 not only offers some of the leading interior space for those looking for the perfect car for tall drivers, it also features one of the classiest and well-appointed interiors of any vehicle on the road today. 

Step inside the XC90’s cabin and you’re treated to an incredibly soft yet supportive seat, with seemingly endless amounts of head and shoulder room, and a great view out of the front windscreen. Volvo positions the driver’s seat quite low down in the cabin, with a central tunnel that rises to meet you in the middle, enabling even the tallest of drivers to get comfortable behind the wheel of the XC90. 

6. Ford Ranger

As we’ve already mentioned, the ute platform is perfect for tall drivers, and within the segment, the Ford Ranger is one of the best in the business. 

The interior design is straightforward and user-friendly, featuring a large chunky steering wheel that is typical of Ford, while positioning the seat a little higher than you’ll find in other vehicles.

Thankfully, though, there’s more than enough space between the headrest and the Ranger’s roofline to accommodate extremely tall drivers. This, combined with a heap of adjustment in the driving position makes the Ranger a great option for tall drivers looking to drive comfortably between the worksite, school runs and holiday road trips.  

7. BMW X5

It’s often said that luxury is exemplified by space and light, and as one of the leaders in European luxury, BMW is very experienced when it comes to interior packaging designs that emphasise both luxurious features and appointments and occupant space. 

The X5 is one of the best examples of this within BMW’s stables, and while there might be bigger SUVs in the lineup like the X6 and the X7, the X5 strikes the healthiest balance in our eyes. 

Featuring a premium cabin that can accommodate a tall driver, even with the panoramic sunroof installed, the X5 remains one of the best options within BMW’s lineup for tall drivers looking for a premium SUV.  

8. Kia Sorento

If you’re looking for a seven-seat SUV that ensures tall drivers are just as comfortable as those sitting the second and third rows, the Kia Sorento remains a great option. 

Featuring a fully-adjustable driving position that allows the driver to stretch out, get comfortable and optimise their reach on the wheel, the Sorento’s platform offers enough space in the rear of the cabin for you to really stretch out your legs without impacting their space and comfort too much. 

Combined with Kia’s remarkable value-for-money proposition, the Kia Sorento is one of the picks of the seven-seat SUV bunch when it comes to offering a spacious, comfortable driving position for tall drivers here in Australia. 

9. Land Rover Defender

If you’re looking for space and luxury, look no further than the latest generation Land Rover Defender. While it might not have the largest outside proportions, Land Rover’s team of engineers and designers have used the new platform to create a spacious and luxurious cabin design that is extremely welcoming for tall drivers.

Combined with some of the more interesting cabin design features you’ll see on the road, the Land Rover Defender is more than capable of keeping tall drivers comfortable on long journeys, and even while you’re pushing it off-road. 

10. Toyota RAV4

The RAV4 is one of Australia’s favourite cars, and when it comes to just how confidently it can swallow up families and tall drivers, it’s no surprise that buyers continue to flock to the RAV4. 

While it’s not a huge car, the RAV4 features some incredibly clever interior packaging designs that increase its interior space and, of course, offers a huge number of practical elements that make it a go-to option for growing families. 

The driving position for tall drivers is fantastic, and can comfortably accommodate anyone that can fit themselves into the driver’s seat. Combined with a great view out of the windscreen, an ergonomic cabin design and a heap of value for money, the RAV4 remains of the leading options for tall drivers looking for a comfortable SUV. 

What Type of Car Should You Avoid as a Tall Driver? 

While this isn’t necessarily true for each and every model, typically, compact SUVs are packaged in such a way that can be cramped for taller drivers. 

This is because they ride on a hatchback platform, while beefing up certain parts of the interior design that results in a distinct lack of headroom when compared to other cars - even the hatchbacks on which the compact SUV is based. There is also little-to-no legroom for anyone sitting behind you as a tall driver inside a compact SUV. 

As a result, we recommend shying away from the compact SUV segment, or at least taking one for a test drive to see if you have more than enough space to stretch out and get comfortable, and if you have enough space behind you to accommodate a passenger. 

Which SUV has the Biggest Front Seats? 

In terms of sheer size in the front of the cabin, SUVs like the Toyota LandCruiser 300, Nissan Patrol, Land Rover Range Rover, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Volvo XC90, Volkswagen Touareg, Mazda CX-9, Ford Everst and the Toyota LandCruiser Prado offer some of the biggest front seats and interior space that you’ll find on the market. 

Which Sedan is Best For Tall Drivers? 

If you’re a tall driver looking for a sedan with the most interior space here in Australia, cars like the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, Hyundai i30 Sedan, Skoda Superb, BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and the Genesis G70 offer a great amount of space and comfort for tall drivers. 

Request a Hassle-Free Quote

If our list of the ten best cars for tall drivers has your imagination running wild, get in contact with one of our car buying experts to get a quick and hassle-free quote on your dream car.  

We’ll be sure to supply you with a competitive price quote and can even organise finance, trade-ins on your existing car and more.