Cars for short people?

[Silvermockingbird]

Looking for advice.. I’ve just started driving lessons and I’m wanting to get my own car to practice in- trouble is, I am 4’11 and every single car I’ve sat in hasn’t been right! Even with the seat fully forward I’m getting cramp in my legs from having to stretch and tip toe the pedals, not to mention that I can’t see the bonnet or a clear view of the road. I’ve tried cushions, but that seems to take me further away from the pedals and I can’t help feeling so uncomfortable. Any game changing cars for short people out there?

Thank you everyone with the great suggestions! I’m definitely moving the seat as far forward is it goes but my legs are actually miniature I would rather be 4’11 with a shorter body and longer legs but unfortunately it’s the opposite.

I'm 5'2 and like Vauxhalls. Currently have a Zafira. Learned in a Corsa and have previously had an Astra.

I don't get on with DH's VW or his previous Skoda. While I can get the seats into positions where I can drive, the seat depth
is too long for my thigh and I end up wedged at a tight and eventually painfully cramped angle between my size 2 feet, and tight, muscular calves. Accelerators pivoted from the floor are horrible for my proportions.

I've sat in many cars in showrooms and immeduately said "no!"

I actually find the bigger the car, the easier to drive. I've been driving MPVs for over 20 years due to 4 children, and they're great, as they're higher up and better to see out of.

The only time I've not managed easily is when my huge bump was a wee bit too close to the steering wheel for me to be comfortable. If I were pregnant these days I'd have to disable the air bag.

i’m 5ft1 and have a fiat 500 but my previous peugeot 107, ford ka, nissan micra, old minis and (going way back) rover metro were all ok too. there should definitely be adaptations you could get if needed

I had to stop driving at 36 wks pg. My bump had been rubbing the steering wheel for ages, but it just got to the point that I didn't have space to physically get in between the drivers seat and steering wheel! I also couldn't bend forwards to move the seat.

That’s interesting about the bigger cars.. I could imagine driving around in a big car then pulling up and hopping out like a little hobbit.

I’m also 4ft 11 and have a Smart car. Great for visibility and reaching the pedals but not very practical as a family car! The easiest thing I’ve ever driven was a camper van. Absolutely hate low down cars as I feel they are driving me!

I'm 5 foot and my mini paceman is the most comfortable car I've ever had

I am 5 ft 4 and I drive a Mini Cooper. I find that I can reach the pedals and not be too close to the steering wheel.

Aygo or Yaris, but 4 door model.

In a 2 door car the seatbelt fittings are set further back and sit along my neck.

@BogRollBOGOF

I'm 5'2 and like Vauxhalls. Currently have a Zafira. Learned in a Corsa and have previously had an Astra.

I don't get on with DH's VW or his previous Skoda. While I can get the seats into positions where I can drive, the seat depth
is too long for my thigh and I end up wedged at a tight and eventually painfully cramped angle between my size 2 feet, and tight, muscular calves. Accelerators pivoted from the floor are horrible for my proportions.

I've sat in many cars in showrooms and immeduately said "no!"

My old Jag had an adjustment for the seat base to make it longer or shorter - I have seen BMWs with this too. The Jag was not expensive to buy - only available as an auto though. As said upthread, they have adjustable pedals too.

I’m 4”11 and drive a Fiat 500, it’s the best car I have found for short people - the pedals are quite high up so you don’t have to have the seat up next to the steering wheel like I have found in other cars.

I'm 5ft and I really have this problem too. We are going to buy a new car soon but my problem is my unreasonably tall partner - he is 6ft2. So we need a car that adjusts well in both directions. I have never driven something where I can both see clearly and comfortably depress the clutch.

I’m 4’9 and find that if I pull the seat forwards and use one of those back support cushions I can drive pretty much anything comfortably.

Hi OP I'm 5ft 2 and drive a Fiat 500L, its fabulous

I'm also your height and I've never really had a problem. The most comfy drive I've had tho was in my old fiat bravo which had a height rise function. So I'd say look for one with height rise.

I have a piece of foam that is about 7cm deep that goes on the back rest, makes the seat shallower and stops the side back support crushing into my shoulders.

I'm short and have a Ford B-Max and find it really comfortable. You can move the seat a lot and you're sat in quite a high position in the car so I can actually see over the bonnet

I'm 5'1 - current car is a vw golf estate, previous was Toyota avensis. DHs cars (always chosen so I can drive them too), last one Volvo V40, current Toyota Corolla hybrid.

I do find all round parking sensors and/or camera very helpful but can see forwards fine.

Non adjustable seat belts digging into my neck has been an issue too 🤬 BMW1 series looking at you!!

doughnut exactly my problem, I can either reach the pedals or see out, never both! There’s some really great suggestions here! I’ve always loved the look of the Fiat 500s and minis but I could really do with the middle seat in the back. I’m going to do as suggested and have a sit in a few.

I’m just tall enough to avoid this with heel supports and chunky shoes but I wanted to point out that you might be able to pay for adaptions that could solve this. If you speak to your dealer or your local adaptions team they might be able to get pedal extensions.

Im around 5' and have a Vauxhall meriva, which is fine, I can change the seat height to the highest setting and bring the seat right forward and also change the steering wheel height and push it in and out and manage to reach everything. Everyone laughs at how close I have the seat forward though!

I did learn in a Nissan Note and that was perfect. Everything was in exactly the right place. My instructor then swapped to a Peugeot and it was ok but the seat was a little low and a bit like a bucket which meant I didn't reach everything as comfortably. I could drive it fine, but I wouldn't have liked to have done a long drive.

Hi there! one "Shortie" to another calling here! 5 feet 0 inches in stockinged feet .Also very short legged (Ducks Disease)! I drive our Ford Mondeo 2.0 Ghia .Really good ,it is an older model and top of the range at that time .Interestingly drove a slightly newer one which didnt adjust though .More basic .I think as above PP said it should be OK if you move the seat as far forward as possible (as I do)and the back of the seat winds forward a good way .Good Luck with your Driving lessons

I honestly can’t praise my Ford Fiesta enough. I can reach the pedals, adjust the seat upwards, have good vision all round - and it is actually roomy enough to transport all ds’s stuff to university and back

Prior to this I had a Golf but when, after 17 years, it bit the dust the fiesta was considerably cheaper. And, I would say, more comfortable. It’s quite nippy as well and I can beat everyone at the lights.