Lumbar support
Discussion
What cars have decent supportive seats these days? I have a bad back and got an Uber this morning in a year old Octavia and was surprised how uncomfortable the seat felt with no lower back support at all. Do more premium brands tend to have better supportive seats, or are any known for being particular good? I'm sure Saab used to be considered extremely comfortable but sadly no more.
Funny you mention the Octavia. We have just changed from a 2021 mk4 Octavia to a 2019 Kodiaq. One of the reasons was the uncomfortable seats and lack of lumbar support. There was a lumbar lever but it didn’t seem to do much and after about 30 minutes in the seat I would have an aching back.
I’m sure the posher seats offer better support, as they do in the Kodiaq but as standard, I found them very poor.
I’m sure the posher seats offer better support, as they do in the Kodiaq but as standard, I found them very poor.
Previously had a 2017 Audi A4 with adjustable lumbar support which was very comfortable. Regularly used to do 6 hour journeys with no back ache. Now have a 2017 BMW 4 series coupe without adjustable lumbar and cannot find a comfortable position in it and suffer back ache after 30 min journeys.
I have always valued lumbar support, BMW do good seats, the sports seats in my 1 series are excellent. Thinking of changing it so sat in a few cars recently, new x1 is a bit better, x3 pretty perfect, i4 not as good, felt really thin in comparison.
Mazda have decent seats in the 3, didn't like the 6. Mondeo was really good last time I tried.
Mazda have decent seats in the 3, didn't like the 6. Mondeo was really good last time I tried.
I've found the seats in my 2020 Golf to be very good, and easy to quickly adjust to a great comfortable driving position.
On other VW products I've had as loan/hire cars it's been similar - as long as there is a lumbar adjustment lever.
I had a T-Roc recently that must have had absolute base spec seats as there was no lumbar lever and the seats were ok but not nearly as good as my Golf.
On other VW products I've had as loan/hire cars it's been similar - as long as there is a lumbar adjustment lever.
I had a T-Roc recently that must have had absolute base spec seats as there was no lumbar lever and the seats were ok but not nearly as good as my Golf.
Funnily enough V60 is currently my front runner as I want something with a decent sized boot too. Was planning on visiting a garage for a sit in a few last week but did my back in again 
Mazda's configurator mentions lumbar support on the GT Sport but not on lower specs. My 2009 Octavia VRS has a lumbar adjustment but I think maybe the seats are getting a bit old and saggy, not sure what spec the Uber Octavia was this morning but it didn't seem to have any adjustment there.
Mazda's configurator mentions lumbar support on the GT Sport but not on lower specs. My 2009 Octavia VRS has a lumbar adjustment but I think maybe the seats are getting a bit old and saggy, not sure what spec the Uber Octavia was this morning but it didn't seem to have any adjustment there.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Tuesday 10th January 15:04
It's seat comfort I'm after rather than accessibility. They're also about 5k more expensive, although you do get an extra 50bhp for that too.After a short and very disappointing experience with a 2020 S60 T5 R-Design, I'd advise not deciding on a Volvo before driving one for at least half an hour. My car gave me aches in places I didn't have them before, however I adjusted the seat, and it was a relief to get back into my 14-year-old Vectra SRi!
There were other niggles with the S60, but the lack of seat comfort alone - for me at least - meant that after 5 months it was gone.
There were other niggles with the S60, but the lack of seat comfort alone - for me at least - meant that after 5 months it was gone.
My 2016 F30 335d has sports seats. There is no adjustable lumbar support, but I do not feel uncomfortable. In the past, I could drive for miles in my 1988 Volvo 740GL estate, which we had for 10 years. Whether those seats were better or worse, I cannot tell, because I was 26 to 36 years younger! That makes the biggest difference.
RicksAlfas said:
At the risk of sounding like an old codger, a V60 Cross Country is higher off the ground which helps getting in and out!
I bought a nearly new v60 CC and took it back the same day. The seats were comfortable but the suspension was shocking. Very unsophisticated and uncomfortable. I was glad to get my a4 avant backRizzoTheRat said:
Funnily enough V60 is currently my front runner as I want something with a decent sized boot too. Was planning on visiting a garage for a sit in a few last week but did my back in again
Mazda's configurator mentions lumbar support on the GT Sport but not on lower specs. My 2009 Octavia VRS has a lumbar adjustment but I think maybe the seats are getting a bit old and saggy, not sure what spec the Uber Octavia was this morning but it didn't seem to have any adjustment there.
Make sure you drive it on a variety of roads. The ride comfort on mine was shockingMazda's configurator mentions lumbar support on the GT Sport but not on lower specs. My 2009 Octavia VRS has a lumbar adjustment but I think maybe the seats are getting a bit old and saggy, not sure what spec the Uber Octavia was this morning but it didn't seem to have any adjustment there.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Tuesday 10th January 15:04
RizzoTheRat said:
Funnily enough V60 is currently my front runner as I want something with a decent sized boot too. Was planning on visiting a garage for a sit in a few last week but did my back in again
Mazda's configurator mentions lumbar support on the GT Sport but not on lower specs. My 2009 Octavia VRS has a lumbar adjustment but I think maybe the seats are getting a bit old and saggy, not sure what spec the Uber Octavia was this morning but it didn't seem to have any adjustment there.
I am sure my parents said their V60 adjusts the seat a tiny bit every now and again on long journeys, lumbar, laterals, back and seat angle etc to stop you getting stiff from sitting in one position. Mazda's configurator mentions lumbar support on the GT Sport but not on lower specs. My 2009 Octavia VRS has a lumbar adjustment but I think maybe the seats are getting a bit old and saggy, not sure what spec the Uber Octavia was this morning but it didn't seem to have any adjustment there.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Tuesday 10th January 15:04
I’ve had back issues for a few years - not helped by driving c. 25k per annum.
Went from 5 series to V90 CC about 5 years ago with the top-spec seats. The adjustability, cushioning and overall comfort was phenomenal. However…. For the 3 years I ran it, my chiropractor spend increased significantly.
2 years ago, switched to MB E400d touring. Seats are very good, though do not feel quite so comfortable as on the Volvo. Crucially though - my chiropractor spend has reduced significantly in the intervening period.
Had a bit of a revelation 12 months ago when I ran a pick-up for a project I was working on that required off-road for 2 months. Back pain all but disappeared, as did chiropractor bill… Concluded that sitting more upright, I.e. proper bend in legs, makes a hell of a difference.
Having had a particularly bad bout of back pain recently, just placed an order for Ford Ranger V6 diesel….
Going to miss the E400d, but will probably recoup the additional fuel spend on reduced chiropractor bills!
Went from 5 series to V90 CC about 5 years ago with the top-spec seats. The adjustability, cushioning and overall comfort was phenomenal. However…. For the 3 years I ran it, my chiropractor spend increased significantly.
2 years ago, switched to MB E400d touring. Seats are very good, though do not feel quite so comfortable as on the Volvo. Crucially though - my chiropractor spend has reduced significantly in the intervening period.
Had a bit of a revelation 12 months ago when I ran a pick-up for a project I was working on that required off-road for 2 months. Back pain all but disappeared, as did chiropractor bill… Concluded that sitting more upright, I.e. proper bend in legs, makes a hell of a difference.
Having had a particularly bad bout of back pain recently, just placed an order for Ford Ranger V6 diesel….
Going to miss the E400d, but will probably recoup the additional fuel spend on reduced chiropractor bills!
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