Car recommendations for bad roads

[Rob-y1kut]

First off I never thought I’d be writing this, when I was younger my first car was a MG Metro Turbo and then I progressed to Minis & MG Midgets, before getting a MK1 Volvo T5 as a sensible adult car.

However over the last 10 years I have suffered from back spasms, which until recently I’ve been able to keep under control. Over the last few years the traffic on my commute to work has progressively gotten worse coursing me to slip the clutch for about half an hour every day, which in turn is unevenly loading my pelvis an putting pressure on my lower spin. I’ve come to the conclusion that my only sensible option is an automatic.

Additional I have found hit potholes can cause my back to go into spasm with no warning. Obviously we all try and avoid them but on a twisty B road at night in the pouring rain it’s not always possible. So I think my only option is to buy one of those vulgar Chelsea tractors you see doing the school run.

Only issue is, I know nothing about SUVs, they’ve never appealed to me and if I’m honest they still don’t, but I’m not sure what my other options are? Plus sitting higher up will make it easier to get in and out should my back go.

So I’m looking for a bit of advice really as to what will provide a decent ride on bad roads. To make life a bit more challenging I’ll be looking for and older car where I can adjust the heating & stereo without taking my eyes off the road, so it’ll probably be higher mileage, meaning reliability is also a factor.

Thanks

Rob

[PositronicRay]

A Dacia Duster will do all that without breaking the bank. Seats not wonderful so you'd need to try one.

[nordboy]

XC90

[sawman]

The most comfortable car i have had in recent years was a 2007 subaru outback. Fantastic seats and compliant suspension - it was great ( wish i had never sold it)

[cerb4.5lee]

Over potholes you'll struggle full stop I reckon. We have an SUV with air suspension and 22" wheels and you still feel them in it. We also have a Caterham on tiny 14" wheels with a high sidewall and I still feel them in that too.

What you/we really need is for someone to look after the roads properly in the first place I reckon.

[juice]

Sounds like you need a Citroen. C5X

You also get Citroen's 'Advanced Comfort®' seats, which have extra layers of padding to make them supremely comfortable and fairly supportive. And comfort is the wider theme here, with the C5 X utilising an advancement of the brand's Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension.

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/citroen/c5-x/

[spoodler]

I've been looking at similar stuff, for similar reasons and, so far, the best options appear to be early Rav4, Vitara and Forester. Sad, really, as I love minimal roadsters, but a few long trips and some health issues have made me reconsider.

[jaydeeuk1]

Citroen c4 cactus is the comfiest car I've ever had for crap roads, better than any lexus I've been in, my bosses bentayga or a 7 series. The car itself is OK, go for the 110hp turbo petrol, and the auto is a bit jerky.

Reviewers tend to say the same, pretty sure top gear compared it to a rolls Royce for it's serene driving 😁!

[Mad Maximus]

What sort of budget and what sort of use? Just commuting, kids, tip runs, big or small, economy, etc ?

[Wilmslowboy]

A high seating position, and ride comfort prioritised over dynamic handling, can also be specced with advanced comfort seats.

"Citroen C3 Aircross - the most comfortable crossover you can buy"



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70En8wtF4ew

[Bobupndown]

Freelander 2 on 17" wheels is pretty good. Very comfortable seats too.

[Master Bean]

[samoht]

I have a Citroen e-C4, it's pretty comfy, 60 profile tyres and fairly soft suspension, comfortable seats, decently upright driving position. Also despite being a current model, it does come with real knobs to turn to set the temperature, stereo controls on the wheel, there's very little need to drill into the touchscreen.

Mine's electric which is ideal for trips within its range and gives some regen braking reducing the need to hit the actual brake pedal, if you want to do longer journeys without stopping to recharge then they also do petrol auto models.

[AW111]

Subaru outback.

But I'd be looking for something with 60 profile tyres for a start - the tyre is the first thing to absorb road shocks like potholes.

[Rob-y1kut]

Thanks, there seems a lot of love for the Subarus & Citroens so I’ll definitely look into both those options. Also thanks for not mentioning the likes of the Bentley Bollinger and other luxury SUVs that are outside of most people’s budgets!

[matrignano]

One of the comfiest cars I've ever been in was my mate's 3rd gen Jeep Grand Cherokee (2005-2011): spacious, big soft seats and a cushy ride.
Diesel automatic so a very relaxing drivetrain if a bit agricultural.

[raspy]

I would suggest a luxury SUV with air suspension where the car has been designed for comfort rather than handling and/or one that has different drive modes (e.g set the steering to sport but set the suspension to comfort) - it’s amazing to just glide over bumps and with minimal impact felt in the cabin

Regarding potholes on twisty B roads at night, find a luxury car with the highest spec lights. I’ve had Mercedes with bloody amazing headlights that really did help me spot hazards at night better than other cars.

[Bonefish Blues]

Volvo XC70 prior to 2007 model change. 215/65 profile tyres and very supportive seats were excellent on our lanes. Newer XC not as good as tyre profiles got lower, even with suspension on 'comfort' setting

[Davie]

Bonefish Blues said:

Volvo XC70 prior to 2007 model change. 215/65 profile tyres and very supportive seats were excellent on our lanes. Newer XC not as good as tyre profiles got lower, even with suspension on 'comfort' setting

235/55/17 on some 2008 onwards and 'Comfort' setting was only a thing on 4C / electronic damper equipped cars... which I'd actively avoid for various reasons. With standard suspension and 235/55's they're very soft... great seats too. I bought mine for that exact reason - transporting a new born in a V70R was nasty and P2 in general just felt old and creaky. And in XC70 mode you've got all the AWD woes too, which the 2008 / P3 models generally isn't affected by.

[Bonefish Blues]

Davie said:

Bonefish Blues said:

Volvo XC70 prior to 2007 model change. 215/65 profile tyres and very supportive seats were excellent on our lanes. Newer XC not as good as tyre profiles got lower, even with suspension on 'comfort' setting

235/55/17 on some 2008 onwards and 'Comfort' setting was only a thing on 4C / electronic damper equipped cars... which I'd actively avoid for various reasons. With standard suspension and 235/55's they're very soft... great seats too. I bought mine for that exact reason - transporting a new born in a V70R was nasty and P2 in general just felt old and creaky. And in XC70 mode you've got all the AWD woes too, which the 2008 / P3 models generally isn't affected by.

The earlier car is the more comfortable. I hope I'm qualified to opine as I've run each successively as the family car over many tens of thousands of miles and currently have a 2012 4C car.