To ask for a car for tall DHs back

[DHsPoorBack]

Bit of a weird one.

DH is very tall and has to do a lot of driving for work. He needs a car big enough for him to sit in, so things Fiesta sized are way out, and we've slowly worked our way through various estates and 4x4s, all of which have given him terrible back ache.

He's essentially after a sofa on wheels, uber comfy. Debating a landcruiser, but they are pretty hard to come by and quite dear for what they are. So, can I ask, if you have an extra large DH, what is the comfiest thing they've driven?

On the tried and "no" list so far:
Audi Q7
Nissan Pathfinder
VW Amarok
Volvo XC90
Mitsubishi L200
BMW estates
VW Touraeg
Range Rover (all models, bar Velar)

He finds the seats too hard on everything, and lacking in any real support, and anything over a 2hr drive can render him quite seized up and immobile for the next few days. Not too fussed on whether it's a 2023 or a 2003 plate, comfort is the key.

Thank you in advance!

So many cars come with different trim levels. The basic level is often cheap and unsupportive. You may need to revisit some of the cars you've ruled out and try models with better trim levels and more customisable seats and steering wheel arrangements.

Is he looking at different spec models of the same cars though? Higher end cars and higher spec models will often have sports seats which are not at all comfy for distance. All the high ends of the models you've listed will be much the same.....

What's luck has he had with padding the seats himself?

I have spinal arthritis (also elsewhere, but relevant) - so take that as a very bad back! Also in my hips so need comfortable seating. I'm also tall. My Seat Ateca is the best car I have ever, ever driven - and I didn't think anything could top my Kia Sportage. Go up a model on the Ateca and the heated seats are to die for! Especially in colder weather.

You aren't going to find many (any?) cars with soft seating if that's what you really mean though. Soft seating fill would also be flammable, and no manufacturer will pass safety rules with such seats.

As well as being tall is he quite heavy? Does that factor in to the seat comfort issue? I’d have thought getting any car seat reupholstered to be more padded would be possible, if pricey.

Another job might be better - driving isn't a healthy position for anyone and if it makes his back ache it's harming him

Okay - what is it that you actually want as your posts are a bit muddled?

First you say he's tall so needs a big car (and nothing Fiesta sized), but then you go on to say it's not really about size it's about comfortable seats.

Different people find different things comfortable, so it may be easier to buy a car that fits your family in terms of size and space, then look at buying DH some specific lumbar support separately so that he's comfortable when driving.

Has he tried using a cushion and/or a lumbar support? Does he normally sit in a "bucket" seat or normal one? Does he have the seat upright or sloping back so it puts more strain on his muscles? I think that should be your starting point.

Huh?

I have a friend who is 6 ft 5 they always have Citroens.

I suffer with my back and drive a Kona- worth a try?

Citroen Picasso DH loves his!

My Toyota Prado has very comfortable seats for long drives. I have an older model and will drive it until the wheels fall off (and it’s not my first one). Not as fancy as the big Landcruiser but in 7 years we have done a lot of driving in it and we have been very happy.

Seconding the suggestion of a SEAT Ateca. My DH with spinal problems (had a spinal fusion many years ago, which led to severe arthritis in recent years) said it was the most comfy car he'd ever driven. It was a Motability car and he found the driving seat so comfortable that he extended the lease as long as possible.

We have a LR Discovery and it’s basically a sofa on wheels. That said I’d avoid anything JLR if you in London as they’re just theft magnets.

French cars tend to have very soft seats, I’d go Citroen over any of the others. They are second hand but C6s are genuinely one of the comfiest cars. The DS9 replaced it, so I would expect similar.
bmw are good for tall drivers, but hard seats
volkswagen ups are really very good for tall (and short) drivers. But probably on the small side for what you want.
Another shout for any of the VAG group, skoda tend to be softer than the Seats, as the Seats are vaguely sportier.
skoda yeti is a very good car with excellent seating.

Lexus NX dh is 6ft 4 and finds his really comfortable on long drives.

Does he need to see a physio, perhaps it’s his posture or a problem with his back?

Not explained it well. You literally asked for recommendations if cars and listed those that you had already ruled out. 🙄

This. I’ve had a load of big cars and by far the comfiest and favourite was my 14 year old grand jeep Cherokee. I sold it 2 years ago and nothing has come close to how comfortable that was to drive.

My dh is 6ft 2in. Is tall in the back. He take a regular trouser leg despite his hight. He drives a hyundi tucson. Lots of head room and so comfortable.

Saab (if he doesn't mind running an older car) or Lexus. I had a Lexus ES (medium/large saloon) as a hire car last year and it was fantastically comfortable.

However I agree with @BungleandGeorge — this actually sounds like it might not be a car problem at all, rather a postural issue that's showing up when he's folded a certain way. He might need to do some specific weight training to strengthen his core/back which will improve his posture, and allow him to sit more comfortably in the car (and elsewhere).

I second (third) citreon. My dh is 6'4 with various back issues and we have a spacetourer. Most comfortable seat I've driven in and he finds it comfortable too

Mercedes? One of the big, more top end of the range ones? I know 3 tall (6'6"+) men who drive them including long journeys with no issues.

A big car. Because he's very tall and heavy, just a really big person, but also there are 5 of us and we need a big car. I mentioned this purely to avoid the "here's a surprisingly spacious small car" suggestions. So only suggestions of big cars (4x4 and estates) are useful.

So essentially, a large vehicle with the comfiest seats available.

To answer PP, yes we get the higher spec models with the supposedly "best" seats. He's just always in a lot of pain following a drive over 2 hours. If we could put a leather squishy armchair in a car, that's what he'd be comfy in, if that makes sense.

Yes he thinks he needs to do some work to increase his core strength as well.