Bad Back = SUV or another option..?
Discussion
I have a bit of an ongoing lower back issue (4th/5th lower lumber), which although isn't a constant irritant doe flare up every so often.
I (like most people I suspect with back problems) manage it by swimming, stretching - and with regular visits to an Amatsu practitioner (osteopaths don't seem to work).
This has been ongoing for nearly 10 years on and off, and I believe one of the contributing factors is the seating position/car I drive.
I've had different types of cars during this period - mostly "sporty" 4 seater types (BMW M3, Audi S5, A7 etc), but have also had a couple of SUV's (X6, QX70) when the 2 little ones were very young - and looking back, the higher,more upright seating position definitely helped.
The current car is an S5 sportback (new shape), which goes back in April, and while its been a great all-rounder I have had more back niggles/issues than I'd like over the last 2 years, which I think is aggravated by having my knees higher than my bum if that makes sense..?
I'm 6 2" so can't really raise the seat up too high to compensate.
So; I find myself looking at Sporty SUV's as a replacement, mainly as I think having a more upright and "legs down" seating position would be better.
I'm not adverse to SUV's, but having had a couple a while back was happy to jump back into a "normal" car again.
To put this into context, my perfect car to meet family/fun/work duties would be the new RS6 Avant, but its a little too rich for my blood at the moment!
I'm just wondering if I'm missing anything and if there may be an option I've overlooked? Volvo's are the first non SUV that spring to mind that "should" have a better seat/position, but I'm not sure of anything else.
If it is to be an SUV it would probably be along the lines of a 2-3 Yr old Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5, M40d or XC90 as not sure what else floats my boat..
Budget up to £40k,max, less would be good or happy to PCH over 2 yrs, whichever deal looks best at the time.
If anyone else has had a similar issue or can offer some suggestions I'm all ear please!
Thanks,
I (like most people I suspect with back problems) manage it by swimming, stretching - and with regular visits to an Amatsu practitioner (osteopaths don't seem to work).
This has been ongoing for nearly 10 years on and off, and I believe one of the contributing factors is the seating position/car I drive.
I've had different types of cars during this period - mostly "sporty" 4 seater types (BMW M3, Audi S5, A7 etc), but have also had a couple of SUV's (X6, QX70) when the 2 little ones were very young - and looking back, the higher,more upright seating position definitely helped.
The current car is an S5 sportback (new shape), which goes back in April, and while its been a great all-rounder I have had more back niggles/issues than I'd like over the last 2 years, which I think is aggravated by having my knees higher than my bum if that makes sense..?
I'm 6 2" so can't really raise the seat up too high to compensate.
So; I find myself looking at Sporty SUV's as a replacement, mainly as I think having a more upright and "legs down" seating position would be better.
I'm not adverse to SUV's, but having had a couple a while back was happy to jump back into a "normal" car again.
To put this into context, my perfect car to meet family/fun/work duties would be the new RS6 Avant, but its a little too rich for my blood at the moment!
I'm just wondering if I'm missing anything and if there may be an option I've overlooked? Volvo's are the first non SUV that spring to mind that "should" have a better seat/position, but I'm not sure of anything else.
If it is to be an SUV it would probably be along the lines of a 2-3 Yr old Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5, M40d or XC90 as not sure what else floats my boat..
Budget up to £40k,max, less would be good or happy to PCH over 2 yrs, whichever deal looks best at the time.
If anyone else has had a similar issue or can offer some suggestions I'm all ear please!
Thanks,
I find that more and more cars of any time are more 'upright' in their seating positions now to maximise space. I don't think it necessarily needs to be an SUV, but consider the seats themselves.
A friend of mine got a Freelander 2 to replace his Freelander and found the seats were giving him back pain to the point he chopped it in, within a couple of months, for a second hand Discovery.
Also, I've had a couple of Alfas and I find that they always have a far-too-pronounced lumbar for me, even when it's wound right back.
I guess what I'm saying is, try the seats, don't assume the style of vehicle makes the difference
A friend of mine got a Freelander 2 to replace his Freelander and found the seats were giving him back pain to the point he chopped it in, within a couple of months, for a second hand Discovery.
Also, I've had a couple of Alfas and I find that they always have a far-too-pronounced lumbar for me, even when it's wound right back.
I guess what I'm saying is, try the seats, don't assume the style of vehicle makes the difference
My own mother and the wifes father have both suffered from back issues also Arthritis in my mums case and both have found that SUV type cars have helped them in relation to their comfort in the car. Their choices aren't going to appeal to you as my mum opted for a Suzuki and the father in law a Vauxhall but I think as a general idea you will probably benefit from a SUV type seating position.
The only positive to note regarding an SUV over other body types would be the easier entry/egress afforded by the raised height of the seat, so less twist and flex of the body.
It sounds like you are looking for a car with lots of seat adjustment though which can be spec dependent.
Volvo are renowned for having great seats out of the box.
Something like a Macan with 18-way seat adjustment may be suitable?, GLC with a seat upgrade?.
I am particularly sensitive to seat comfort/adjustment, or lack of, and I have noticed that VAG products don't agree with me - overly hard cushions and the adjustment never seems to be in the right place.
The same can be said of non AMG Mercedes seats which appear to lack lower lumbar support.
Good luck with your search.
Cheers,
Chris
It sounds like you are looking for a car with lots of seat adjustment though which can be spec dependent.
Volvo are renowned for having great seats out of the box.
Something like a Macan with 18-way seat adjustment may be suitable?, GLC with a seat upgrade?.
I am particularly sensitive to seat comfort/adjustment, or lack of, and I have noticed that VAG products don't agree with me - overly hard cushions and the adjustment never seems to be in the right place.
The same can be said of non AMG Mercedes seats which appear to lack lower lumbar support.
Good luck with your search.
Cheers,
Chris
Its not just the entry-exit that makes SUV’s easier on the back, but rather the more upright seating position, or better said the angles between the torso, hips and legs. I find the most comfortable seating position are provided by MPV or full on vans (V Klass, Transit, VW T series). The L5 is the absolute classic problem, and extended compression will agravate it. Most sedan, or low seating vehicles have a tilt in the seat cushion resulting in an acute angle between the thighs-hips and the torso, automatically compressing the lower back. They simply do not have the height (or footwell depth) to provide a more right angle between torso-hips-thighs and legs.
The comfort seats in BMW’s are excellent, so maybe try an X5.
The comfort seats in BMW’s are excellent, so maybe try an X5.
Some interesting replies, many thanks.
Hadn't considered the Jag F-type as, well it's a jaag - but I'll have a look.
Must admit the X6 I hac, had the comfort seats and they were great, which def helps sway things towards the X5 or poss the 6/GC.
Macan is a good shout too - I don't necessarily need to have the "family" car as will be getting the wife an X-trail sized replacement come Jan/Feb.
Cheers
Hadn't considered the Jag F-type as, well it's a jaag - but I'll have a look.
Must admit the X6 I hac, had the comfort seats and they were great, which def helps sway things towards the X5 or poss the 6/GC.
Macan is a good shout too - I don't necessarily need to have the "family" car as will be getting the wife an X-trail sized replacement come Jan/Feb.
Cheers
Edited by Justhe-1 on Saturday 21st December 00:23
I’ve prolapsed every disc in my lumbar region, multiple times over the last 17 years, and continue to do so every now and again.
Access/egress (as mentioned by another poster) is important for protecting the lower back. Dropping your arse in to something low to the ground, then sitting (as another poster or maybe the same one said) compressing your lower back with limited footwell space and poor angle between hips and lower back, followed by the compression needed to haul you upright again is a recipe for ruptured discs.
I was advised by my consultant rheumatologist many years ago that an upright, almost right angled sitting position was best for driving. He recommended SUVs. I drive an X5 now, but I’ve had a number of range rovers, a few MLs, a Touareg and a Cayenne, to name but a few. The BMW comfort seats are great. I’m 189cm tall which is just over 6’2” so very similar to you OP. SUVs with the seats lower to the floor (like the Evoque or even the Porsche Macan) could (eventually) cause a problem, so personally I’d recommend full sized SUVs rather than the mid-sized. HTH.
Access/egress (as mentioned by another poster) is important for protecting the lower back. Dropping your arse in to something low to the ground, then sitting (as another poster or maybe the same one said) compressing your lower back with limited footwell space and poor angle between hips and lower back, followed by the compression needed to haul you upright again is a recipe for ruptured discs.
I was advised by my consultant rheumatologist many years ago that an upright, almost right angled sitting position was best for driving. He recommended SUVs. I drive an X5 now, but I’ve had a number of range rovers, a few MLs, a Touareg and a Cayenne, to name but a few. The BMW comfort seats are great. I’m 189cm tall which is just over 6’2” so very similar to you OP. SUVs with the seats lower to the floor (like the Evoque or even the Porsche Macan) could (eventually) cause a problem, so personally I’d recommend full sized SUVs rather than the mid-sized. HTH.
ninjag said:
Justhe-1 said:
Some interesting replies, many thanks.
Hadn't considered the Jag F-type as, well it's a jaag - but I'll have a look.
I'm guessing it's a typo or autocorrect but just in case, the F-Pace and F-Type are ever so slightly different! Hadn't considered the Jag F-type as, well it's a jaag - but I'll have a look.
BigFatWombat said:
I’ve prolapsed every disc in my lumbar region, multiple times over the last 17 years, and continue to do so every now and again.
Access/egress (as mentioned by another poster) is important for protecting the lower back. Dropping your arse in to something low to the ground, then sitting (as another poster or maybe the same one said) compressing your lower back with limited footwell space and poor angle between hips and lower back, followed by the compression needed to haul you upright again is a recipe for ruptured discs.
I was advised by my consultant rheumatologist many years ago that an upright, almost right angled sitting position was best for driving. He recommended SUVs. I drive an X5 now, but I’ve had a number of range rovers, a few MLs, a Touareg and a Cayenne, to name but a few. The BMW comfort seats are great. I’m 189cm tall which is just over 6’2” so very similar to you OP. SUVs with the seats lower to the floor (like the Evoque or even the Porsche Macan) could (eventually) cause a problem, so personally I’d recommend full sized SUVs rather than the mid-sized. HTH.
Very interesting, thanks - and has kind of validated what I have suspected, but not had confirmed..Access/egress (as mentioned by another poster) is important for protecting the lower back. Dropping your arse in to something low to the ground, then sitting (as another poster or maybe the same one said) compressing your lower back with limited footwell space and poor angle between hips and lower back, followed by the compression needed to haul you upright again is a recipe for ruptured discs.
I was advised by my consultant rheumatologist many years ago that an upright, almost right angled sitting position was best for driving. He recommended SUVs. I drive an X5 now, but I’ve had a number of range rovers, a few MLs, a Touareg and a Cayenne, to name but a few. The BMW comfort seats are great. I’m 189cm tall which is just over 6’2” so very similar to you OP. SUVs with the seats lower to the floor (like the Evoque or even the Porsche Macan) could (eventually) cause a problem, so personally I’d recommend full sized SUVs rather than the mid-sized. HTH.
I think the heart is kind of wanting to try the Cayenne, but the sensible (read safer, slightly cheaper) head is leaning towards the X5 or XC90.
Interestingly I really liked the Levante when it was first launched, but I've gone off it now a bit for some reason.
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