Best SUVs for motion sickness: rows, ride settings and where to sit, model by model
The best SUV for a motion-sensitive passenger is one where that rider gets a front or second-row seat with a clear view of the road ahead, and whose maker documents a comfort or soft ride setting the driver can select, because the third row sits farthest back, where speed changes and bumps are felt most. In our guide, the Rivian R1S and Tesla Model X document an adjustable suspension with a comfort setting. The Hyundai Ioniq 5, Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Palisade, Honda CR-V, Kia EV6, Kia EV9, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Honda Pilot and Kia Sorento document a gentler drive mode. The Chevrolet Equinox EV, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla Model Y, Jeep Wrangler, Mazda CX-30, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Outback, Toyota C-HR, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Kia EV6, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4, BMW iX, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester and Lexus RX have two rows only, so nobody sits over the rear axle. No setting suits every passenger, so test the exact car from the seat the sensitive rider will use.
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Rows and the gentlest documented setting
| Model | Rows | Gentlest documented setting | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rivian R1S | 3 | Soft (suspension) | Ride Feel, under Drive Modes on the center display |
| Tesla Model X | 2 or 3 | Comfort (suspension) | Ride & Handling, under Controls > Dynamics |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 2 | ECO (drive mode) | DRIVE mode button |
| Toyota Highlander | 3 | Eco Mode (drive mode) | Driving mode select switch in the center console |
| Hyundai Palisade | 3 | ECO (drive mode) | Drive mode control shown in the Drive Mode Integrated Control System section |
| Honda CR-V | 2 | ECON (drive mode) | Toggle switch by the shift controls |
| Kia EV6 | 2 | ECO (drive mode) | DRIVE MODE button |
| Kia EV9 | 3 | ECO (drive mode) | DRIVE MODE button |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 2 | Whisper (drive mode) | Controls icon in the upper-left corner of the SYNC screen, which opens Drive Modes |
| Honda Pilot | 3 | ECON (drive mode) | Toggle switch on the center console |
| Kia Sorento | 3 | ECO (drive mode) | Drive mode knob |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV | 2 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
| Tesla Model Y | 2 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
| Jeep Wrangler | 2 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
| Mazda CX-30 | 2 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
| Mazda CX-5 | 2 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
| Subaru Outback | 2 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
| Toyota C-HR | 2 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
| Toyota RAV4 | 2 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | 2 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
| BMW iX | 2 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
| Hyundai Tucson | 2 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
| Subaru Forester | 2 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
| Lexus RX | 2 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
| Ford Expedition | 3 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
| Kia Telluride | 3 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
| Subaru Ascent | 3 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
| Ford Explorer | 3 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
| Mazda CX-90 | 3 | No comfort setting documented | Seat choice does the work |
Settings as documented by each maker or the named source, checked 30 October 2026. Menus change with model year, trim and software, so confirm in your own car's manual.
SUVs with a documented comfort suspension setting
These makers document an adjustable suspension with a comfort setting. In it the dampers absorb more of the road, so bumps and body movements arrive softer in every row.
Rivian R1S
Rows: 3. Gentlest option: Soft. Where: Ride Feel, under Drive Modes on the center display.
A walk-in switch on the second row seat tilts the seat to 45 degrees and slides it forward to open access to the third row.
Electric: its regenerative braking setting is on the best-EVs page.
Source: Rivian R1S Owner's Guide (US, software 2023.46): Ride Feel, Soft is the default in All-Purpose
Tesla Model X
Rows: 2 or 3. Gentlest option: Comfort. Where: Ride & Handling, under Controls > Dynamics.
On cars with second row bench seats, a button on the backrest of each outboard second row seat tilts and moves that seat forward so passengers can enter the third row.
Electric: its regenerative braking setting is on the best-EVs page.
Source: Tesla Model X owner's manual (English, China edition): Air Suspension, Ride & Handling
SUVs with a documented gentle drive mode
No adjustable suspension, but the maker documents a drive mode that softens throttle response, so the car gathers and loses speed more gently when the driver asks.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Rows: 2. Gentlest option: ECO. Where: DRIVE mode button.
The mode changes each time the driver pushes the DRIVE mode button, in the order ECO, NORMAL, SPORT, MY DRIVE, SNOW. Hyundai's characteristics table calls ECO the high electric energy efficiency mode and sets the climate system to ECO in that mode; NORMAL is the normal driving mode.
Electric: its regenerative braking setting is on the best-EVs page.
Sources: Hyundai owner's manual, Ioniq 5 (2025, US): Drive Mode; Hyundai owner's manual, Ioniq 5 (2025, US): Drive Modes Characteristic
Toyota Highlander
Rows: 3. Gentlest option: Eco Mode. Where: Driving mode select switch in the center console.
Toyota's quick reference guide places the driving mode select switch in the center console. The 2026 brochure says Sport Mode provides sharper acceleration, Eco Mode helps maximize fuel efficiency, and Normal Mode blends fuel economy with performance.
Toyota's Highlander page lists three rows with seating for up to eight, and the quick reference guide shows a third row seat with a seatback angle adjustment lever.
Sources: Toyota 2026 Highlander brochure (US); Toyota Highlander Quick Reference Guide (2024, US): center console area
Hyundai Palisade
Rows: 3. Gentlest option: ECO. Where: Drive mode control shown in the Drive Mode Integrated Control System section.
Hyundai says ECO slightly reduces acceleration response on moderate pedal input and may limit the air conditioner, NORMAL provides smooth driving and comfortable riding, and SPORT provides sporty but firm riding. MY DRIVE MODE is set under Setup > Vehicle > Drive Mode in the infotainment system. After a restart the car returns to NORMAL unless ECO was selected.
The third row seatback reclines with a strap on the cargo side trim, and the second row seats slide forward and back with a slide lever.
Sources: Hyundai owner's manual, Palisade (2026, US): Selecting Drive Mode; Hyundai owner's manual, Palisade (2026, US): Drive Mode Integrated Control System
Honda CR-V
Rows: 2. Gentlest option: ECON. Where: Toggle switch by the shift controls.
The driver uses the toggle switch by the shift controls and the instrument panel shows the mode. On LX, EX and EX-L the modes are Normal, ECON and Snow; the hybrid trims add Sport. Honda says ECON lets the climate control and throttle work more gently for fuel economy, and Snow smooths throttle response to limit wheel spin.
Sources: Honda Information Center, 2026 CR-V feature guide: 3-Mode Drive System; Honda Information Center, 2026 CR-V feature guide: 4-Mode Drive System
Kia EV6
Rows: 2. Gentlest option: ECO. Where: DRIVE MODE button.
The mode changes each time the driver presses the DRIVE MODE button. Kia says ECO slightly reduces acceleration response on moderate pedal input and may limit air conditioning, NORMAL is for general roads, SPORT gives quick steering and motor response, MY DRIVE combines separate settings on the infotainment screen, and SNOW is for snowy roads. ECO is kept after a restart; other modes return to NORMAL.
Electric: its regenerative braking setting is on the best-EVs page.
Kia EV9
Rows: 3. Gentlest option: ECO. Where: DRIVE MODE button.
The mode changes each time the driver presses the DRIVE MODE button. Kia says ECO may slightly reduce acceleration response on moderate pedal input and may limit air conditioning, NORMAL changes between 2WD and AWD on its own, SPORT and GT are firmer and sportier, MY DRIVE combines separate settings on the infotainment screen, and SNOW is for slippery roads. ECO is kept after a restart; other modes return to NORMAL.
Electric: its regenerative braking setting is on the best-EVs page.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Rows: 2. Gentlest option: Whisper. Where: Controls icon in the upper-left corner of the SYNC screen, which opens Drive Modes.
The driver taps the Controls icon in the upper-left corner of the screen, which opens the Drive Modes menu, and chooses a mode; the choice stays active at the next start. Ford describes Whisper as a calm, quiet drive with lighter coasting deceleration and relaxed steering, Engage as the balanced standard mode, and Unbridle as more aggressive.
Electric: its regenerative braking setting is on the best-EVs page.
Source: Ford support: What drive modes are available in the Mustang Mach-E?
Honda Pilot
Rows: 3. Gentlest option: ECON. Where: Toggle switch on the center console.
The driver picks a mode with a toggle switch on the center console and the digital cluster shows it. Honda says ECON smooths the throttle response for fuel efficiency, Normal is the balance of responsiveness, efficiency and comfort, Snow reduces throttle response and starts in second gear, and Sport, Tow, Trail and Sand are firmer or task specific. Sport, 2WD EX-L and Touring have five modes; TrailSport, Elite, Black Edition and AWD EX-L and Touring have seven.
All trims have one-touch electrically controlled second row seats that slide and fold, so passengers reach the third row by pressing a button.
Source: Honda Information Center, 2026 Pilot feature guide: Drive Modes
Kia Sorento
Rows: 3. Gentlest option: ECO. Where: Drive mode knob.
The driver turns the drive mode knob, and the mode changes with each turn. Kia says ECO helps improve fuel efficiency, with acceleration response slightly reduced on moderate pedal input; NORMAL provides smooth driving and a comfortable ride; SPORT is sporty but firm; SMART follows the driver's habits; SNOW is for slippery roads. The car defaults to NORMAL at restart unless ECO or SMART was selected.
Sources: Kia owner's manual, Sorento (2026, US): Drive mode; Kia owner's manual, Sorento (2025, US): Drive mode
Two-row SUVs: nobody sits over the rear axle
No comfort setting is documented for these, but with two rows the worst seat in the car does not exist. Every passenger gets a forward view.
Chevrolet Equinox EV
Rows: 2.
Electric: its regenerative braking setting is on the best-EVs page.
Tesla Model Y
Rows: 2.
Electric: its regenerative braking setting is on the best-EVs page.
Jeep Wrangler
Rows: 2.
Mazda CX-30
Rows: 2.
Mazda CX-5
Rows: 2.
Subaru Outback
Rows: 2.
Toyota C-HR
Rows: 2.
Toyota RAV4
Rows: 2.
Volkswagen ID.4
Rows: 2.
Electric: its regenerative braking setting is on the best-EVs page.
BMW iX
Rows: 2.
Electric: its regenerative braking setting is on the best-EVs page.
Hyundai Tucson
Rows: 2.
Subaru Forester
Rows: 2.
Lexus RX
Rows: 2.
Three-row SUVs: where the third row sits
No comfort setting is documented for these, so seating does the work. The notes below say where the third row sits in each one.
Ford Expedition
Rows: 3.
Kia Telluride
Rows: 3.
Subaru Ascent
Rows: 3.
Subaru's Ascent page describes three rows of flexible seating in seven and eight passenger layouts.
Ford Explorer
Rows: 3.
Mazda CX-90
Rows: 3.
The second row seat slides forward to get in and out of the third row seat area.
Other SUVs in our guide
These are left out of the table above because their settings were not confirmed against the maker's own documentation when the table was checked on 30 October 2026. Their pages cover what owners report.
Why the row matters more than the badge
An SUV moves most at its back. The third row sits over or behind the rear axle, farthest from the point the car pivots around and with the weakest view of the road ahead, so every speed change and bump is felt there first. The front passenger seat moves least and sees the most. That is why the seat decides more than the model, and why this page sorts SUVs by what a driver can set and where a passenger can sit rather than by any rating. Compare every car model on seating and visibility, and for an electric SUV read where its regen setting lives.
Before you buy
- Take the test drive from the seat the sensitive rider will use, with someone else driving.
- Try the third row on a road with bends and bumps, not only in the car park.
- Ask to see the drive mode or suspension menu and try its gentlest setting on the same route.
- Check the forward view from the second row: a high front headrest can block it.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best SUV for motion sickness?+
The best SUV for a motion-sensitive passenger is one where that rider gets a front or second-row seat with a clear view of the road ahead, and whose maker documents a comfort or soft ride setting the driver can select, because the third row sits farthest back, where speed changes and bumps are felt most. In our guide, the Rivian R1S and Tesla Model X document an adjustable suspension with a comfort setting. The Hyundai Ioniq 5, Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Palisade, Honda CR-V, Kia EV6, Kia EV9, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Honda Pilot and Kia Sorento document a gentler drive mode. The Chevrolet Equinox EV, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla Model Y, Jeep Wrangler, Mazda CX-30, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Outback, Toyota C-HR, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Kia EV6, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4, BMW iX, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester and Lexus RX have two rows only, so nobody sits over the rear axle. No setting suits every passenger, so test the exact car from the seat the sensitive rider will use.
Is a two-row or three-row SUV better for a carsick passenger?+
Two rows, if the sensitive rider would otherwise end up in the third row. A third row sits farthest back and over or behind the rear axle, with the weakest view of the road ahead, so speed changes and bumps are felt most there. In a three-row SUV, seat the queasy passenger up front or in the second row and keep the third row for riders who travel well.
Does a comfort drive mode help with car sickness?+
It can take the edge off. A comfort or eco mode softens how quickly the car responds to the accelerator, and on SUVs with adaptive suspension the comfort setting lets the dampers absorb more of the road. Speed changes then arrive more gently, which is what a sensitive passenger notices. It is a setting, not a remedy: the seat, the forward view, the driver and the road still matter.
By brand
Sources
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- www.chevrolet.com/support/quick-start-guides/driver-mode-control
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- ownersmanual.hyundai.com/full_webhelp/NE1a/2025/en_US/id3c1ed1573c5.html
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- ownersmanual.hyundai.com/full_webhelp/NE1a/2025/en_US/data/tocData.json
- assets.rivian.com/2md5qhoeajym/7Ao7NIFkLxOZtvdc7Fqh70/8ccd071c4f1209c000a8db48d1
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- rivian.com/support/article/do-rivian-vehicles-have-regenerative-braking
- rivian.com/support/article/what-type-of-suspension-comes-on-rivian-vehicles
- rivian.com/stories/drive-modes
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- assets.sia.toyota.com/publications/en/om-s/OM24U2QRG/pdf/OM24U2QRG.pdf
- www.toyota.com/highlander/
- www.ford.com/support/how-tos/more-vehicle-topics/engine-and-transmission/how-do-
- www.ford.com/support/how-tos/more-vehicle-topics/seats-and-seatbelts/how-do-i-fo
- ownersmanual.hyundai.com/full_webhelp/LX3/2026/en_US/topic_nnb_5wj_qyb.html
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- www.jeep.com/wrangler-4xe.html
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- www.mazdausa.com/static/manuals/2026/cx-30/contents/65240100.html
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- www.subaru.com/vehicles/ascent/index.html
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- www.subaru.com/vehicles/outback/index.html
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- ownersmanual.kia.com/full_webhelp/CV1A/2026/en_US/topics/t00451.html
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- ownersmanual.kia.com/full_webhelp/MV1/2026/en_US/topics/chapter3_2.html
- www.ford.com/support/how-tos/electric-vehicles/mustang-mach-e/what-drive-modes-a
- www.vw.com/en/owners-and-services/about-my-vehicle/quick-start-guides.html/__app
- www.press.bmwgroup.com/asia/article/attachment/T0362112EN/553895
- www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0362112EN
- www.hondainfocenter.com/2026/Pilot/Feature-Guide/Engine-Chassis-Features/Drive-M
- www.hondainfocenter.com/2026/Pilot/Feature-Guide/Interior-Features/One-Touch-Sec
- www.hondainfocenter.com/2026/Pilot/
- www.ford.com/support/how-tos/more-vehicle-topics/engine-and-transmission/how-do-
- ownersmanual.hyundai.com/full_webhelp/NX4a/2026/en_US/id3f179792ce0.html
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- ownersmanual.hyundai.com/full_webhelp/NX4/2025/en_GN/id83f392dcc83.html
- ownersmanual.kia.com/full_webhelp/MQ4A/2026/en_US/topics/t00444.html
- ownersmanual.kia.com/full_webhelp/MQ4A/2025/en_US/topics/t00399.html
- ownersmanual.kia.com/full_webhelp/MQ4A/2026/en_US/topics/t00443.html
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- www.kia.com/us/en/sorento
- www.subaru.com/vehicles/forester/index.html
- www.mazdausa.com/static/manuals/2026/cx-90/contents/65240100.html
- www.mazdausa.com/static/manuals/2026/cx-90/contents/65240300.html
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- www.mazdausa.com/static/manuals/2026/cx-90/quick.html
- www.mazdausa.com/vehicles/cx-90
- www.lexus.com/models/RX/features
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