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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for a car for tall DHs back

146 replies

DHsPoorBack · 06/04/2023 23:36

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!

OP posts:
Changeau · 07/04/2023 14:40

I used to have a jeep cherokee and it was like driving around in a double bed.

PragmaticWench · 07/04/2023 14:45

Knullrufs · 07/04/2023 13:51

Yeah. I'd put money on this being more at the core of the issue than the car seat.

I'm not a physio, but I am a personal trainer. Men — especially taller men — have a tendency to slump when they sit with their shoulders rounded forwards. This puts pressure on certain points throughout the back, around the hip joint, and parts of the ribcage.

It's especially common in blokes who aren't especially physically active. (No aspersions cast on your husband there — you don't say whether he's physically active or not; I'm talking more generally.)

With driving especially, because you've got arms elevated from the shoulder joint (to grasp the steering wheel) this will exacerbate all of the above issues too.

It's suggesting this to me because you've tried so many different types of car, including Volvos and larger Range Rovers, both of which generally have very supportive seating. So I'd be inclined to think it's postural with him, not a car problem.

Show quote history

Absolutely this. I have had spinal surgery and it's definitely lack of core strength that affects car seat comfort. As well as the rounded position above that Knullrufst describes, having your knees quite high above your hips exacerbates back issues. If you're tall then you're more likely to end up with your knees higher.

The Skoda Superb is vast inside, huge amounts of leg room for adults in the back and a massive boot. DH is very tall and commutes over two hours each way to his office in the Superb and loves it.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 07/04/2023 14:47

If he's rolling his pelvis under when he sits, that'll cause backpain whatever vehicle he's in - possible if he's pushed the seat back to avoid knocking his knees on the steering wheel. Similarly, if he's sitting up but leaning forward or slouching to reach the wheel and still see out of the windscreen, rather than being able to look straight ahead.

Being aware of exactly how he's positioned could be very useful - his comments about core strength could indicate either of these scenarios, so it could be that what would be comfortable is something with a lot of headroom and a steering wheel that can be repositioned.

Rather than going straight to the buying a car that might not solve anything, it could be worth paying for a sports (because statistically, they deal with a significant proportion of clients who are large/tall men) physio who can assess his posture, his weaknesses and help him know what to look for - which is unlikely to be a mattress on wheels.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 07/04/2023 14:52

I always described our Mercedes E class as being like driving a comfy armchair. It's gone back to the lease company now and I miss it so much.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 07/04/2023 14:53

My Peugeot 5008 is GT line spec. The drivers seat is very adjustable and meets a recognised German standard. It has 2 seat memories so that you can always get to your preferred position quickly and it even has massage functions!

the rest of the car will definitely work well for you as a family of 5

Couldyounot · 07/04/2023 14:56

VW Sharan? We had one for years. It was very comfortable and obviously loads of room inside too. Suited drivers of 5' 2" and 6' 6" height

mamaduckbone · 07/04/2023 16:02

We have a Renault khajar and 6'6" Dh finds it comfortable. We can also fit 2 tall teens in the back.

trinibrit · 07/04/2023 16:08

6’5” Dbro has a Santa Fe

DelphiniumBlue · 07/04/2023 16:11

IShouldGoToSleep · 06/04/2023 23:39

Or if you want something small on the outside, but large on the inside, Honda Jazz?

Honda Jazz has a high enough roof for 6'3 DS1, so his head doesn't hit the ceiling, but the drivers footwell doesn't accommodate his size 14s very well, especially if he is wearing boots.

Shade17 · 07/04/2023 16:13

BMW 7 series, Audi A8, Lexus LS or Merc S Class might be worth trying.

PauliesWalnuts · 07/04/2023 16:16

Mine is 6ft 3 with back problems. He used to have a Mazda 6 estate which he drove hundreds of miles a month for work in without any problems. When that died he bought a Honda CRV which he says is like a sofa on wheels.

JustfiedandAncient · 07/04/2023 17:36

Is he unable to find a car himself 🤣

CaptainMum · 07/04/2023 17:46

Seat Alhambra, VW Golf, Mitsubishi Outlander

Testarossa44 · 07/04/2023 17:50

Ford Kuga, we’ve done long trips to southern Germany in it, super comfortable!

Original poster
DHsPoorBack · 07/04/2023 19:20

Just looking at the "back friend" suggested upthread, it looks hellishly uncomfortable! Is this the sort of thing to try? Looks like the opposite of what he finds comfy.

Any personal reviews of such apparatus?

OP posts:
CheeseMcKnees · 07/04/2023 19:22

He found the Velar fine? Really? I’m 5ft9 and I found it tiny???

Pearfacebananapoop · 07/04/2023 19:23

I have a bad back and found 4x4s a game changer. When I was pregnant I had a Range Rover Evoque and a Mercedes ML and they were the only comfy seats I could cope with! I would also recommend Mercedes GLC. My Dad swears by an E class for his back.

Confrontayshunme · 07/04/2023 19:25

DH is 6'8" and comfortably drives a Toyota Auris, but he loves our in-laws' VW T5 Campervan as he can move the seat right back and it has good support.

EndofDaze · 07/04/2023 19:27

Mr Dazed is notorious for his “glass back”. Most comfortable cars he’s found so far are Merc E class, Jag XF and BMW Auto Tourer. All have had additional option of lumbar support which has made a huge difference in terms of back comfort. Also heated seats provide relief for back ache as and when.

TeresaCrowd · 07/04/2023 19:27

If he needs a big soft seat, although that sounds like it would be less comfortable, but each to their own, then you probably want to look at the lower trim levels, especially cloth seats. The higher end sports seats will be much firmer by design.

CMOTDibbler · 07/04/2023 19:29

We had a top of the line Skoda Superb estate (I think it was the L&K package) and it was incredibly comfortable to drive, and easily fitted dh who is 6'3 and big plus it was cavernous in the boot. Currently I have a new Defender 110 (First Edition model) and that is very comfortable too.
My previous car was a 2006 CRV and that was much better comfort wise than the new CRV DH had as a company car, but it really is often a matter of the higher end spec cars having more supportive seats as well

endlesscraziness · 07/04/2023 19:31

Mitsubishi outlander PHEV, the seats are memory foam and like sitting on a sofa. I need it for comfort

lindauk5 · 07/04/2023 19:35

We have a Plug in Hybrid Ford Kuga, my husband is 6ft4 and he has enough room in the front and back. Our model has adaptive cruise control which makes driving long distances reply comfy as you aren't needed to be stuck in the same position for the whole time. I highly recommend it, I bloody love it.

Original poster
DHsPoorBack · 07/04/2023 19:41

CheeseMcKnees · 07/04/2023 19:22

He found the Velar fine? Really? I’m 5ft9 and I found it tiny???

No, that's the only one we haven't owned.

We haven't tried anything Mercedes either come to think of it. Probably because we don't like the look so much. But might be worth investigating.

Can I ask the pp who all put their heated seats on, does it make that much difference? He's always got the temp on low, one of those "t shirt in February" types.

OP posts:
wonkylegs · 07/04/2023 19:48

@DHsPoorBack
Our LR Disco sport is very comfy - we opted out of any of the sport packs or tire packs as they can make the ride harder and consequently the seats less comfy especially on long drives. We've had it 7 years and it's the only car that's not give DH a bad back on the many long drives we've done.
Definitely not any Audi - often very firm ride so not comfy and they make terrible seats

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