small cars for tall drivers

[Matt11]

Hi do many tall drivers struggle driving small cars due to the front seat not going back enough? I went to test drive a swift and I had to put my knees to either side of the steering wheel as the seat didn't go far enough back, I'm 6ft 3 .

[krobbo]

Not much help, but I feel your pain! Currently in the same situation as you

[HTP99]

Had a family come in at the weekend to look at Clio, the main criteria where that his 6' plus son was able to drive it comfortably, he fitted in fine with no obvious discomfort so they bought the Clio.

I guess it all depends on how you are proportioned; long legs with a short body or vice versa, the wife's dad is over 6, yet he had short legs so has to sit quite close to the wheel.

[calibrax]

Small Peugeots and Volkswagens seem pretty good as the seats tend to be able go back more than others.

[Paraicj]

I'm 6'3", I owned a VW Polo and have rented a new Clio, both fine and comfortable. Not for anybody sitting behind though...

[tali1]

Citroen AX seat goes back enough for my 6ft 4in mate to fit in.No rear space though.
I suspect this thread will be full of "ere i'm 7ft 9ins and i fit into me Fiat Cinquecento no probs mate"

[CB2152]

I'm 6'4" and was able to fit quite comfortably into a 1999 Clio. Seat at it's lowest and quite far back though. Only very small people could passenger behind me. It's not such a concern in the front seats of a car, unless you have to move the seat back a lot and the steering column doesn't have sufficient reach adjustment.

Driving a Saab 9-5 now though, not so much of a concern. I was able to get a 6'8" passenger in the back quite easily behind the front seat (average sized) passenger.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Mercedes A-class (W169). Absolutely ideal, and a MUCH better car than PH would have you believe.

[bigdom]

As they're generally cheap cars,I normally find the lack of adjustment in the steering wheel/column to be the main issue.

[R_U_LOCAL]

Try a Mini.

Huge adjustment in the drivers seat for tall drivers.

[va1o]

I'm 6ft3 and find I can get on with most small cars. The latest crop of city cars like the VW Up and Toyota Aygo etc are all relatively tall compared to those in the past so if you put the seat back and steering wheel height to the top there fine. Only one I've ever struggled with is the R56 MINI, just couldn't get comfortable.

[GC8]

Buy a Mini! Im 6'3" and easily fitted into a Mini. I had a friend who was 6'5" who also fitted in his with a roll cage.

[michael243]

I'm 6'2" and i drive a 52 reg corsa, perfectly fine to drive and to have somebody in the back with enough room for their legs

[JimmyTheHand]

Matt11 said:

Hi do many tall drivers struggle driving small cars due to the front seat not going back enough? I went to test drive a swift and I had to put my knees to either side of the steering wheel as the seat didn't go far enough back, I'm 6ft 3 .

It isn't just small cars - some larger cars seem very short on room when you are tall (and bizarrely it seems sometimes more room in the smaller cars than larger ones even from same make). Then there is the issue I can get in the car and drive, but the instrument panel is partially blocked by steering wheel.

[ch108]

A workmate of mine is 6'3" and fits okay into the new style Fiesta.

[DubZeus]

Seat arosa/ vw lupo non sunroof fit in mine with loads of room & I'm 6'3"

[Gompo]

6'3/6'4, have driven a fair bit in a 3 door Aygo and a Seicento and a little bit in a 106. No problems fitting in and being comfy, although there's not much room in the footwells. I've struggled more with two seater coupes than small hatches, for both head and leg room.

[Martin_M]

6 foot 3 here and fitted in a clio 197 and corsa vxr fine. Unfortunately, I found out that I'm too tall for an Elise a few days ago!

[Blib]

I'm a relatively titchy six footer. But, I can easily fit in and drive my classic, 1970 Fiat 500.

[JakeT]

6.2 and fit into a mk5 fiesta easily. No room in the back at all though. Wish the wheel would telescope though as I have long legs and have to sit far back...