Best Cars To Sleep In

Most people’s idea of a good night’s sleep does not involve sleeping in a car. However, should you find yourself in a situation where a snooze is unavoidable, such as on long-distance road trips, some cars offer a better sleeping space than others. Of course, there’s always the question of which type of vehicle is best suited to your car-camping needs: from city-friendly hatchbacks to full-size SUVs, there is something out there for everyone. Here is a selection of vehicles you can get a few hours of sleep in without waking up feeling like you’ve broken your back.

SUVs

Volvo XC90

If an SUV is your choice of vehicle to grab some shut-eye, the Volvo XC90 is an ideal candidate, with comfortable seats and a spacious cabin; over 85 cubic feet of space is available with the rear seats folded. And when you wake up ready to hit the road, the XC90 can handle all kinds of terrain with ease thanks to its ground clearance of almost 9.4 inches. Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, available in three powertrain configurations: the 247-horsepower B5, the 295-hp B6 in higher trim levels, and a plug-in hybrid “Recharge” option, the most powerful in the lineup with an output of 455hp. All trim levels come with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Honda CR-V

Another strong contender in the SUV category is the Honda CR-V. According to Honda, its front seats were designed to reduce driver fatigue, and comfort was prioritized throughout the interior. Total cargo space expands to 76.5 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded. The LX, EX, and EX-L trims are powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 190hp. The Sport and Sport Touring versions come with a hybrid powertrain that includes a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors; the combined power output is 204hp.

Chevrolet Suburban

On the more luxurious end of the automotive spectrum, the Chevrolet Suburban is a full-size SUV with plenty of storage space and room for passengers to stretch out. With heated and ventilated seats available, sliding second-row seats, and improved legroom compared to previous model years, the Suburban is a capable vehicle that can handle an impromptu overnight stay with comfort and luxury. Engine options include a 355hp 5.3-liter V8, a 420hp 6.2-liter V8, or a 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine; all are paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, with RWD and AWD versions available.

Hyundai Santa Fe

The new Hyundai Santa Fe’s bigger dimensions and boxy profile have created a much more practical SUV. With the rear seats folded, it has just under 80 cubic feet of space. An enormous tailgate creates a large opening, easing access into the cargo area. With its punchy turbocharged engine producing 277 hp, the latest Santa Fe has the lively performance to wake you up after you’ve had a blissful nap.

EVs

Tesla Model X

With its futuristic, spacious interior and ample cargo capacity, the Model X offers all the comfort you need for an overnight stay. Its seamless glass roof allows an uninterrupted view of the sky from the front seats, perfect for camping trips under the stars. With the back seats folded, there is a large open space measuring over 85 cubic feet. While the base-level trim comes with two electric motors and can reach 60 mph in under four seconds, the Plaid version is a monster. It has a tri-motor setup with a combined power output of 1,020 hp, and requires only 2.5 seconds to reach 60. This does, however, slightly affect range: the Plaid only has an estimated range of 326 miles against the cheaper Long Range version’s 335 miles.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

On the market for an EV that isn’t a Tesla and is comfy enough to sleep in? The Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers plenty of passenger and cargo capacity thanks to its long wheelbase and flat floor; the reclining front seats come with footrests to maximize passenger comfort. Even the rear seats can recline a few degrees for passengers who need a nap. The Ioniq 5’s electric powertrain is available in multiple configurations: the single-motor RWD layout paired with the standard-range battery produces 168 hp, while adding the long-range battery ups the output to 225 hp. The AWD version with two electric motors is the most powerful in the lineup, with a power output of 320hp.

Minivans

Toyota Sienna

If your car-snoozing road trips include snatching a 20-minute nap between ferrying kids around, a minivan might be more your speed. The Toyota Sienna is one of the most popular vehicles in the minivan category, thanks to its fuel efficiency, roomy interior, and ability to cope with the demands of even the busiest families. With the rear seats folded, there are over 100 cubic feet of space, a reminder that nothing can match the utility of a minivan. The latest version of the Sienna is exclusively offered with a hybrid powertrain: in the FWD version, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is paired with two electric motors, producing a total of 245hp. The AWD version adds a third motor in the rear, with no change in combined power output.

Chrysler Pacifica

The Chrysler Pacifica is another option in the minivan segment; thanks to its unique “Stow ‘n Go” system, the second- and third-row seats tuck into the floor to create additional cargo space. At over 140 cubic feet, the Pacifica’s auditorium-like cargo area is even more expansive than the Sienna’s. In the higher-level Pinnacle trim, quilted-leather upholstery and lumbar pillows add to the cabin’s plush feel, creating the perfect environment to catch some sleep in. Both a gas-powered and a hybrid version of the Pacifica are available: the former is powered by a 287-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, while the latter is powered by the same engine paired with two electric motors, producing a total of 260 hp.

2024 Chrysler Pacifica

Model

Pacifica

Base MSRP

$39,400

Engine

3.6L V6 Gas

Horsepower

287 hp

Fuel Economy

19/28 MPG

Luxury Cars

Mercedes-Maybach S

Sitting at the pinnacle of luxury, the Mercedes-Maybach S pampers its occupants with an interior comfortable enough for a full night’s sleep. With a wheelbase seven inches longer than that of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class it’s based on, the Maybach S has even more space for passengers to get comfortable in. A host of luxury features, including heated massage seats and ambient lighting, complete the experience. The Mercedes-Maybach S is powered by a 496-hp twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (in the S580 version) or a 621-hp 6.0-liter V12 (in the S680 version), paired with a 48-volt hybrid system.

Compact cars

Honda Fit

Most compact cars do not lend themselves well to overnight stays due to their small dimensions and cramped passenger compartments. However, if you have to choose a compact car to sleep in, the Honda Fit (known as the Honda Jazz outside the US) gives you the best of both worlds, combining the maneuverability and fuel efficiency of a small car with the comfort required to have a snooze. The Fit’s rear seats are incredibly roomy for a compact car; its split-bench rear seat earned the nickname “Magic Seat” due to its ability to fold flat. This creates a spacious sleeping area: with the rear seats folded down, passengers have an uninterrupted space to stretch out between the front seat and the rear bumper. The 2020 Honda Fit was the last model sold in the American market, with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 130 hp (128 in models equipped with an automatic transmission).

Nissan Versa Note

A relatively inexpensive small hatchback, the Nissan Note (dubbed the Versa Note in the American market) is another compact car with a surprising amount of passenger space; even the back seats have enough legroom for an average-sized adult to comfortably stretch out. Its excellent gas mileage adds to the economy factor, making it a viable option for those who want a car you can sleep in on a small budget. Power comes from a 109-hp four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT automatic transmission. Yet another victim of the gradual demise of small cars in the US market, the Note was discontinued in the States in 2019; the hybrid third-generation model that followed it survives in the Japanese market.