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6 Domestics Top KBB's List for Comfort and Affordability

The Chrysler 300 tops KBB.com's "10 Most Comfortable Cars Under $30,000" list. The 2012 Volkswagen Passat also was a big winner.

by Staff
April 12, 2012
2 min to read


IRVINE, Calif. —Kelley Blue Book released its list of the 10 Most Comfortable Cars Under $30,000, with the Chrysler 300 garnering the most votes from the editors of the vehicle information site.

Vehicles making the list feature quiet rides, supportive seating and roomy interiors. Six out of the 10 vehicles listed hail from American auto manufacturers, while the rest come from Japanese and German competitors. 

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The following are the Top 5 vehicles making the list, along with comments from the site’s editors.

2012 Chrysler 300: “It feels right to have a big, rear-drive, American sedan atop this list. The Chrysler 300 is a quiet, comfortable, stylish, well-appointed luxury sedan missing just two things: the snooty badge and the sticker shock.  Keyless entry and [remote] start, a big 8.4-inch touchscreen and dual-zone auto climate control are all part of the sub-$30,000 package.

2012 Volkswagen Passat: “Let it be known that ride comfort and superior driving dynamics are not mutually exclusive. We submit the Volkswagen Passat as proof. While satisfying to drive, V-Dub’s mid-size sedan is also adept at absorbing road imperfections, all the while cocooning occupants in a well-appointed interior that features a hugely roomy back seat.”

2012 Subaru Legacy: “While Subaru’s standard all-wheel-drive grips the road, its supportive, well-bolstered seats grip bodies. Add a spacious interior, good visibility and easy-to-navigate controls, and you have a car that has a fine way of putting you at ease no matter what roads you tackle.”

2012 Buick Regal: “The automaker’s second entry on our list of comfortable cars, the Regal is as smooth and quiet as any Buick should be, but also among the sportiest cars ever to wear the badge. Even the sport-tuned, 270-horsepower GS model qualifies as a bona fide Buick, proving that comfort doesn’t have to be squishy.”

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze: How did a mainstream compact car sneak onto this list? By including an acoustic-laminated windshield, triple-layered door seals and wheel-well liners for a quiet cabin. And supportive front seats matched with perhaps the smoothest highway ride in the segment. For compact comfort, the Chevy Cruze is a big winner.

For the remaining five vehicles, click here.

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