Good car for back problems
Discussion
I have arthritis in my back, long journeys in a chair without lower back support is painful.
I'm looking for a used family car, and my instincts are to go for something like an auris hybrid estate, or possibly a Kia niro hybrid or similar.
I want a comfortable drivers seat with lumbar support, heating, in a reliable petrol or hybrid automatic. Must be decent on fuel consumption and be reliable/not expensive to maintain.
I'm in the Netherlands so used car prices are daft, budget up to about 20k.
Haven't driven the auris or niro yet, so I'm looking for recommendations to fit the above criteria.
Last car I owned was a 2004 Volvo V40 2.0t. seats were excellent, but servicing (in NL) was quite pricey, and used Volvo's come at quiet a premium still.
I'm looking for a used family car, and my instincts are to go for something like an auris hybrid estate, or possibly a Kia niro hybrid or similar.
I want a comfortable drivers seat with lumbar support, heating, in a reliable petrol or hybrid automatic. Must be decent on fuel consumption and be reliable/not expensive to maintain.
I'm in the Netherlands so used car prices are daft, budget up to about 20k.
Haven't driven the auris or niro yet, so I'm looking for recommendations to fit the above criteria.
Last car I owned was a 2004 Volvo V40 2.0t. seats were excellent, but servicing (in NL) was quite pricey, and used Volvo's come at quiet a premium still.
Cheap cars will generally have cheap seats - my suggestion would be to buy whatever car suits your budget, then have something like a Recaro Ergomed fitted. i.e. a seat specifically designed for comfort and adjustability for someone with back issues.
https://www.recaro-automotive.com/en/comfort/produ...
https://www.recaro-automotive.com/en/comfort/produ...
When I slipped a disc the ONLY, and I mean ONLY, place I could sit for more than 10 minutes was in my Honda Accord, could sit in that for hours.
Volvos used to have a very good reputation for seats but don't know how good the current ones are.
Some Vauxhalls have a lot of adjustment that you don't normally get in cars of that price range.
Go to one of the big car supermarkets and spend a day trying lots of cars for fit and adjustment. You don't have to buy from them!
Volvos used to have a very good reputation for seats but don't know how good the current ones are.
Some Vauxhalls have a lot of adjustment that you don't normally get in cars of that price range.
Go to one of the big car supermarkets and spend a day trying lots of cars for fit and adjustment. You don't have to buy from them!
Two cars stick out to me with incredibly comfortable seats.
First is Volvo. I know in your post you've said they're expensive, but man are they comfortable. I owned VAG cars for years and my wife has a 2020 Kodiaq. When I had my S90 (current shape), when I would sit in her car it felt like sitting on concrete blocks compared to the Volvo.
The other, is a Vauxhall Insignia SRI-Nav estate (2018>) that I owned for a year. I was amazed at how comfortable the seats were in that car and the heated elements were some of the hottest I've ever felt, which I imagine would be good for back pain.
First is Volvo. I know in your post you've said they're expensive, but man are they comfortable. I owned VAG cars for years and my wife has a 2020 Kodiaq. When I had my S90 (current shape), when I would sit in her car it felt like sitting on concrete blocks compared to the Volvo.
The other, is a Vauxhall Insignia SRI-Nav estate (2018>) that I owned for a year. I was amazed at how comfortable the seats were in that car and the heated elements were some of the hottest I've ever felt, which I imagine would be good for back pain.
I too have back problems.
My E class was chosen for the multi contour dynamic massaging seats, they are fantastic. I have previously also found the BMW comfort seats in the 5 series to be good. Both of these seats are approved by some German Ergonomic Institute.
Volvo and Saab get regularly recommended for seats but I have no long term experience with them.
My E class was chosen for the multi contour dynamic massaging seats, they are fantastic. I have previously also found the BMW comfort seats in the 5 series to be good. Both of these seats are approved by some German Ergonomic Institute.
Volvo and Saab get regularly recommended for seats but I have no long term experience with them.
IJWS15 said:
Go to one of the big car supermarkets and spend a day trying lots of cars for fit and adjustment. You don't have to buy from them!
This is the only answer really - this sort of thing is going to be so personal that it's impossible for anybody here to give advice. Loads of people will say Volvo and yes they are good but I wouldn't say my current XC70 is any better than the Subaru I had previously, or the Accord I had before that (which is the closest to an automotive armchair I've ever experienced). But then I am lucky enough to still be young(ish) and in good physical nick. As an aside this reminds me of when I was looking for some cycling shorts to do a John o' Groats - Lands End ride in. Virtually everybody on the cycling forum I frequented at the time said get some made by a company called Assos - "they're pricey but worth it as they're super comfortable" I was told. I'll spare you the details but suffice to say they certainly weren't comfy for me - in fact after a day and a half I was in f
king agony! The moral of the story being try before you buy if you can (easier done with a car than bike shorts!).My 2007 Subaru Legacy is remarkably comfortable. Later Subarus seem to continue to be comfortable.
My wife has slipped disks and rates the seats in this shed of mine only second to the early Panamera I used to drive. We have just returned from Italy to the UK in the Legacy with nary a moan from her.
More expensive but, noting that I see quite a lot of Range Rovers in NL when passing through, my wife also always found the seats in our old L322 Vogue comfortable for long trips.
My wife has slipped disks and rates the seats in this shed of mine only second to the early Panamera I used to drive. We have just returned from Italy to the UK in the Legacy with nary a moan from her.
More expensive but, noting that I see quite a lot of Range Rovers in NL when passing through, my wife also always found the seats in our old L322 Vogue comfortable for long trips.
Seats are such a personal thing it's hard to recommend. I had a Mondeo ST220 with recaro front seats my wife found comfortable, but gave me back pain. My Subaru WRX seats I could sit in all day, but everyone else hated.
I've currently got a Subaru legacy which has got great seats.
As a few other have said, I'd suggest you try a few brands (Saab and Volvo) and look for seats with lots of adjustability.
I've currently got a Subaru legacy which has got great seats.
As a few other have said, I'd suggest you try a few brands (Saab and Volvo) and look for seats with lots of adjustability.
Krikkit said:
Cheap cars will generally have cheap seats - my suggestion would be to buy whatever car suits your budget, then have something like a Recaro Ergomed fitted. i.e. a seat specifically designed for comfort and adjustability for someone with back issues.
https://www.recaro-automotive.com/en/comfort/produ...
Thanks. I didn't know this was possible. I now see there are several mobility places near me which will supply and fit customs chairs like those recaros. It's definitely something I'll think about. Reassuring if I like the car but not the chair.https://www.recaro-automotive.com/en/comfort/produ...
Was driving my dad's 2010 e class coupe for 300 miles yesterday and it has no lumbar support... No fun. Can feel the tightness in my back still today. If it had lumbar adjust it would have been ok
IJWS15 said:
Go to one of the big car supermarkets and spend a day trying lots of cars for fit and adjustment. You don't have to buy from them!
Many car seats feel comfortable when doing that, as it's a superficial test. Unless you are able to drive the car for a long-ish journey, you won't be able to realistically determine how comfortable the seat is going be in everyday driving. Many flaws in seat comfort won't reveal themselves until you've been sitting in the seat for a length of time.
You have to either sort out an extended test drive, or if that's not possible, find a place where you can exchange the car for something else within x days if it doesn't suit you.
raspy said:
IJWS15 said:
Go to one of the big car supermarkets and spend a day trying lots of cars for fit and adjustment. You don't have to buy from them!
Many car seats feel comfortable when doing that, as it's a superficial test. Unless you are able to drive the car for a long-ish journey, you won't be able to realistically determine how comfortable the seat is going be in everyday driving. Many flaws in seat comfort won't reveal themselves until you've been sitting in the seat for a length of time.
You have to either sort out an extended test drive, or if that's not possible, find a place where you can exchange the car for something else within x days if it doesn't suit you.
I have major lower back problems (I've had two surgeries) The overriding things that help or compensate is a firm heated seat , plus an auto as a clutch can put added pressure on the lower back, which you're obviously after. My auto 18 reg 3 series is ideal, run of the mill, quite firm, adjustable and heated.
The problem is a typically comfortable seat can quickly become uncomfortable for back sufferers. A bit like a sofa, settee or bed. It's a difficult one for sure as one size doesn't fit all and only time or a 3 hour drive will tell. Best of luck in your search, some decent advice above.
The problem is a typically comfortable seat can quickly become uncomfortable for back sufferers. A bit like a sofa, settee or bed. It's a difficult one for sure as one size doesn't fit all and only time or a 3 hour drive will tell. Best of luck in your search, some decent advice above.
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