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THE ISHTA HOLISTIC HEALTH CENTRE |
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CONNECTIONS to HEALTH |
A Survey of Car Seatsby Robyn Bowie
Often, in my work as an Alexander teacher, my students ask me 'How can I sit in my car in reasonable comfort?' Unfortunately, the answer often lies as much with the car. Every now and then, a student consults me before buying a new car. 'What can I buy that won't crucify my back?' As I'm not a petrol head, I offer them guidelines about good sitting-what the car should allow you to do. Those guidelines are the main criteria I used to review a large selection of cars over the bank holiday weekend. It may surprise you to know that most of the cars I found comfortable were relatively inexpensive, and most of the expensive ones made me miserable. Having said that, I did not test 4 X 4s, or sports cars, or most of the big business saloons, because of their heavy carbon footprint. Conscience, and limited time, dictated that I eliminate the gas guzzlers. Some makes I never got around to at all; I'll have to cover them at a later date.
Back Damage
First though, some thoughts about BACK DAMAGE-why does it matter how you sit? Back problems have many sources. Each of us inherits a shape, and other characteristics (such as loose or tight ligaments binding the skeleton together) from our parents that provide us with strengths and vulnerabilities specific to us. Then, one-off accidents occur also, car accidents, falls from horses; even fairly minor falls straight onto the tailbone can have lengthy consequences. But probably the main source of injury is performing trivial actions badly, over and over and over again. Most significant is our habitual way of carrying ourselves from one activity to the next. It's always worthwhile learning how to use your body better. It's also worth looking at the places where you spend most time. A sofa you can perch and wriggle about on in a thousand ways. Cars, because of the fixed controls, tend to limit us much more. It's not always possible to use what you know. That's why the car itself matters.
The Criteria
When I drive, I'm looking to sit as I would in a chair, not a 'lounger' but a chair from which I can be active. I want to sit up tall, so that my weight is delivered to the ground, rather than 'absorbed' by my soft tissues. I want maximum space between my vertebrae, thus minimal compression of the discs and emerging nerves. I want my legs to hang from the hip, preferably with my knees slightly lower than my hip joints. I want my arms to hang easily from my shoulders, my shoulder blades resting on my ribs, not pulled about unduly. Of course, I want my head to poise delicately on a long neck that has not collapsed or sunk into my shoulders. One of the biggest potential problems with driving is compression of the lumbar discs, and a bit lower, the sciatic nerve as it emerges through the sacroiliac area. I've known several people to have sciatica on their clutch leg (which was largely relieved by getting an automatic car!). I tested the pedals on each model of car. I felt that when I had to stretch too far I squashed my lumbar area. Some cars-VWs primarily-had a deep clutch and a high brake. This could potentially lead to twisting across the pelvis-not a good thing as the lumbar vertebrae aren't designed to rotate far. I like to sit quite close to the wheel (I'm 5'4'') so as not to overstretch. I tested nearly all the cars with my partner who is a few inches taller and wider than I. This allowed me also to get out and look at the driving position as well as feel it. Informally, with my fingers, I measured headroom, and tried to imagine being taller. Different models definitely suit different -sized people. Large saloons tend to be made for big men-the seat box is longer, the seat back wider-and yet the roofline doesn't always accommodate their height well. So, when I sat in the cars, I sat close to the wheel, with the seat box raised as high as possible (when possible) and the seat back as vertical as it would go. 'Uggh' I hear you say. 'Sit up and beg-like my granddad on his tractor. Nigel Mansell never sat like that!' Well no, Nigel didn't, and your granddad knew a thing or two (tractor seats can be lovely!) Racing car drivers need to accommodate their car's low profile. They like to sit close to the ground, where the sensation of speed is greatest. Their 'cradle' position helps cushion them from high G-forces generated by rapid acceleration and centrifugal force experienced when flinging themselves around bends at high speed. I don't think 'cradle' is appropriate or helpful for everyday driving though. It cricks your neck something rotten and squashes your back. And it's tough getting in and out. 'Surely a leather recliner is more comfortable than a scratchy-fabric bench seat?' you may argue. If you were going to nap behind the wheel, maybe (please don't)-but driving is active. You need to be able to use your arms and legs freely and lightly, and turn your head. Try this experiment. Sit up on a flattish seat. Now raise your hands to an imaginary wheel. Notice how your arms can still hang to the elbow. Turn your head. Now slump down and back. Raise your hands to the wheel. Feel your shoulders nestle around your ears? Feel that tightening one the sides of your neck, that weight in your arms? Now turn your head. Ow! Do you really want to reverse your car into a parking space, like this? Can you even see? What are you doing with your back to try to see?
Onto the Cars
These are the ones I sat in-
Ford's showroom was closed, mid-move, that weekend. I sat in the C_Max at the urging of a friend, who said she loved it, and that it had won awards for back-friendliness. I didn't drive any of the models. I assessed driving position, and other back-friendly incidentals, such as ease of seeing out the back, height of boot sills for lifting, and width of the door sills for getting in and out. I learned a bit-I'm mechanically challenged, but now I know how all those seat adjusters work. Whatever car you have, it really is worth taking a few minutes to find out what all those levers and wheels do. Some versions of a model will have more adjusters than others-when you are car-shopping, ask.
These were my TOPS
These were VERY GOOD--- nearly as good as the TOPS
These were PRETTY GOOD
These were SO-SO
These were BOO (a long way down from SO-SO)
Details
TOPS
Suzuki Wagon R/Vauxhall Agila Right in my backyard-my boyfriend has one-I still find this most comfy, with high flat seat box, headrests that don't poke me in the neck, firm seats, great visibility, loads of headroom. Easy to jump in and out, tall boot you can sling wheelchairs or a small fridge-freezer into.
Nissan Micra Big surprise to me-the 'bubble' gives it loads of headroom. Flat seat, backrest comes right up, nice bright dials (you don't have to peer too hard). Easy action on the pedals and my lumbar back felt well supported when using the clutch. The steering wheel tilts; in the low position my hands rested very easily indeed. It's good to know where that tilter is, so you can raise the wheel to let yourself out. The seat box looked a little short for Andreas, but he liked the car nonetheless. The headrest does poke forward a little bit-the only fault I could find.
Toyota Prius What a relief, that a trendy green car could be comfortable too. High firm seat box, seat back comes right up, headrest ok, low wheel position very comfortable. Tons of headroom. Back visibility is limited and strange, though, which means some peering and craning. Seat felt generous to me, like it would accommodate someone bigger. Andreas felt the seat box was a bit short.
Toyota Yaris Has lever to raise and flatten seat box, backrest comes right up, good rear visibility. Gear stick a slight reach. Andreas looked better on this seat, less compressed than in the Prius.
Chevrolet Tacuma Tilting seat box brought it reasonably flat, high off the floor, plenty headroom, armrest for left arm, tilting wheel, good headrest, low boot sill for easy lifting. Seat was slightly soft under the bum-only niggle.
VERY GOOD
Ford C-Max So nearly a TOP car! High firm flat seat box with raising and lowering lever, easy reach to pedals and gears. Armrest. Backrest comes right up. What lets it down is a headrest that pokes forward when backrest is vertical. Its big plus is a lumbar tuner, which (unlike the tuners on other models) made a palpable difference. It firmed up the back and mostly made up for having to lean back a bit.
Vauxhall Meriva Nice step-in/out, fairly flat seat box, backrest comes right up. Clutch excellent for a person my size. H/V controls on dash steeply vertical-steep bend of wrist required which could be tough if you have arthritis. Pedals very close together. Nifty glasses holder over driver's door.
Fiat Doblo Seat box adjusts very flat. Backrest doesn't come as vertical as I want. Good length to pedals. Gear stick is forward-I'd have to try it. Great visibility. You could put a whole wheelchair racing team in here.
Fiat Panda Marvellous visibility fits well all 'round, more spacious than it appears. Headrest ok. Seat not as flat as I want but there's enough clearance for a sitting wedge, at least for me. Andreas liked this car-we were both pleasantly surprised.
Citroen Berlingo/Peugeot Partner High, long, flat seat box. Headrest ok. 12'' headroom, seat back comes right up, plenty of room for sitting wedge. Wheel tilts, armrest. It was a bit of a reach to the pedals for me. Andreas' legs fit well in this car. It was a decent sit, a little better for someone taller than me.
Citroen C4 Picasso High seat box that you can raise higher still. Could be a touch flatter. Reasonably easy in and out. Back comes straight up; has lumbar tuner and armrest. Not really relevant but I liked the solarium effect.
PRETTY GOOD
Renault Scenic Andreas really liked this car. It fit his body well, gave good support to his back and thighs. I like the contour of the backrest. Seat box is high but I would prefer it flatter. Headroom less than you would think for type of car. Nice low wheel; headrest ok.
Suzuki Swift Though it looks like a Mini, has reasonable headroom. Seat flat, backrest comes right up, hand drops easily onto stick and pedals an easy reach too. Visibility poor though, and a bit of knee lifting required to come in and out. A reasonable choice for a woman my size; maybe not great for a tall man.
Peugeot 207 I just fit this car. Andreas felt cramped. Backrest comes right up and is very nicely contoured to fit my back. My lumbar area feels well supported. Seat box raises and lowers but never comes quite flat enough. Headrest ok; visibility just so-so with thick pillars. Had to duck a bit to get in.
VW New Beetle High firm seat box with lever for raising/flattening. High brake could be a strain. Great visibility, tons of headroom which is a plus as I'd probably want a sitting wedge. Backrest comes up straight. Andreas didn't like it as much as I did-maybe it's a girl thing.
Toyota Auris Highish seat box with lever. Top of backrest slopes back a bit too far. Very comfortable for legs. Visibility decent. Gear forward and up on dash-I'd have to try it. I worry about wrist strain.
Chevrolet Matiz Hard flat seat box you can raise and lower, though it's never quite high enough. Backrest comes right up but covers much of seat box, making it very short. Headrest comfortable. Visibility ok, pedals ok, easy swing in and out. One of the best small cars for a short person.
Toyota Rav4 Headrest pokes forward a bit. Seat box raising/flattening lever. Gear stick an easy drop from my shoulder. Loads of headroom. Very easy getting in and out.
Honda Jazz Seat box raises and lowers but still too much rake; I'd need a sitting wedge, but there's plenty of headroom to accommodate that. Shorter seat box than Audi, say, so less kind to long legs. Seat back falls away a bit at the top. Easy step and swing out. Low boot sill.
Honda FRV A wide car, with a 3rd seat in front, suitable only for a small person who won't be impaled on dash-mounted stick shift. High flat seat box, easy in and out, but alas-headrest pokes forward. Low boot sill, nice visibility.
Hyundai Getz For a small car, plenty of room for a larger driver. Seat box could be flatter; backrest comes right up but covers a fair bit of seat box. Wheel tilts; backrest contours ok; quite firm; enough headroom for a sitting wedge (at least for me). No seat box lever, but fairly high, not too badly raked.
Nissan Qashqai High seat box with lever; backrest comes all the way up; headrest pokes forward a bit though. Has lumbar tuner. Rear visibility poor. Slightly awkward lever to pull seat forward and back.
Nissan Note SV version has seat box adjuster and armrest; S version does not. Backrest comes right up; headrest doesn't poke. Seat box isn't flat enough but headroom sufficient to accommodate a sitting wedge. Long seat box. Good fit for Andreas and one of his favourites. Good visibility; back seats very roomy.
SO-SO
Audi A4 Andreas said 'much more comfortable than BMW'. Seat box raises and lowers but doesn't flatten as much as I would like. Very deep clutch; sitting as close as I could my leg was fully stretched. Long seat box kind to long legs, yet very little headroom. This car didn't fit me at all. But with so little headroom I didn't think being tall was the answer.
Audi A6 To accommodate a tall person, seat box goes all the way to the floor. Backrest doesn't fit contours of my back especially-but it is wide, which will help some. More headroom than in the A3.
Renault Modus I would definitely need a sitting wedge in this car. It fit Andreas better than me; I found it a reach to the gear shift. Seat box reasonably high and headrest does not poke.
Peugeot 107 Seat box rakes sharply. Backrest contours my back nicely. Headrest, visibility ok. I would definitely need a sitting wedge. High boot sill. Not a good choice for a big person.
VW Golf Seat box raises and lowers though still too raked for me. Andreas looks slumped in this seat. Gear stick ok, pedals easy for me. Wasn't that easy to get in and out.
VW Golf Plus Seat box nice and high but not flat enough. Headrest ok; backrest comes right up; pedals ok; gear stick ok. Liked the secret boot compartment and low boot sill.
Toyota Aygo/Citroen C1 Seat box high but rakes back. No seat flattening/raising lever. Clutch a little high. My hand drops nicely onto gear stick. Boot is tiny with a high sill.
VW Fox High brake, deep clutch-a combination I'm wary of as it may lead to twisting across the pelvis. Decent headroom, high firm seat box, backrest comes up straight. Visibility so-so. Boot sill a little high.
Honda CRV When backrest approaches vertical it covers a lot of the seat cushion-and it doesn't come all the way up, which leaves my hands too far from the wheel, throwing strain into my shoulders. A tall car, it's easy to get in and out. Headrest was ok. Seat box raises and lowers; has armrest.
Renault Kangoo Seatback adjuster is very awkward-I wasn't able to make it work myself. This model seemed to have no seat box lever to raise it. Seat box reasonably flat-flatter in back than in front, unusually. Headrest ok; gears a bit of a reach. Andreas looked awkward depressing the clutch. Tons of headroom. Seatback falls away too much at the top of the back.
BOO
All the Kias They just don't fit well. Too far to the pedals, seat boxes too low. Sitting wedge needed, but wheel sits too low to accommodate one. Headrest poked intolerably forward on the Picanto. Distant pedals would give me sciatica. Carens is a bit better with more headroom, higher off floor but headrest still pokes terribly and clutch too deep for me.
All the BMWs All the seats, 'sport seats' or not, felt far too raked for my comfort, and too close to the floor. The clutch was too deep for me. Reaching for the gear stick was awkward. The cars just didn't fit me-or Andreas.
Fiat Grand Punto Seat box very close to floor. Felt 'clumpy' getting in. Headrest pokes forward. Seat was too raked. Mechanism for bringing seat back up was sluggish. I guess they were after a 'sporty' position-not my cup of tea.
Chevrolet Lacetti Seat box flattens but sits very low to floor. Very deep clutch. Terrible visibility. Seatback doesn't come all the way up.
Volvo C30 Sporty low slung seats; seat box adjusts but not far; wide door sill to step over getting in and out. Not a sit up and beg car.
Volvo V50 Electronic adjusting controls on driver's side; firm back rest; seat box very low to floor even on highest setting; Andreas looks very slumped in a seat that rakes back sharply. My legs had to stretch all the way out-I felt too short. Headroom minimal. Wheel tilts which is good. You have to want to sit back and I don't want to.
Peugeot 407 Seat adjustments are electronic and we weren't given the key. I admit to a prejudice here; in my experience, Peugeot electrics are a bit flaky, so this is a minus. Long seat box may suit long legs, but there's very little headroom. The back seats rake excessively-Peugeot thinks it's ok for passengers to be squashed.
Audi A3 Has a seat box raising/lowering lever, but when I brought myself high enough and close enough to the wheel, my head was scraping the roof. And the seat still rakes back too much. I just don't think it works for people over 5', unless you like to sit low to the floor.
Toyota Corolla Verso Very awkward seat back lever, requiring a sort of pump action. It still didn't come all the way up, and the top of the backrest falls away too much. High firm seat box; armrest.
Vauxhall Corsa Seats narrow and overly raked. Headroom a bit skimpy. Had to duck to get in and out.
Suzuki SX4 Backrest contour didn't fit me well-poked forward in lumbar, pushing upper back too far back. A stretch to the pedals for me; a shorter woman would struggle. Adequate headroom, easy in and out. Fairly high boot sill though. Headrest ok.
Honda Civic Awkward lever to raise backrest, which doesn't come fully vertical. Long pull on the accelerator and the clutch felt a strain; I could feel my back muscles bunching. Less headroom than in the Jazz. Comfortable in back.
Renault Clio Very deep clutch; thought it would give me sciatica. Seat box adjusts but is a trifle low on highest setting. Headrest ok. Gears a bit of a reach. Not a lot of headroom. I would struggle to put a sitting wedge on this seat and it does need one.
BMW Mini Surprising amount of headroom and the seat box does raise and lower, but it never comes high enough for my comfort. Seat box raked and backrest doesn't come all the way up. Clutch felt too deep for me-a strain across my sacrum.
If you would like to discuss any of the points raised in this article please contact Robyn at the Centre or email her.
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© The Ishta Centre, 26 Kings Avenue, Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 8HD
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