Gentle on the back - What Car

[Juanco20]

Looking for some advice from those who have had similar search criteria. Quick car background from oldest to current

Suzuki Swift
Fiesta ST
308 GTI
3008
Ibiza FR
A250

So apart from the 3008 they've all been quite low, firm rides. The A250 isn't too harsh but I still find myself struggling with lower back soreness if I'm in it for longer than an hour. I have a 25 mile commute but it can take over an hour some days thanks to the joys of our motorway system. The 3008 was great for this, I don't really remember any issues but it was just a 2 year lease during Covid and the lack of power wasn't ideal.

So I'm basically looking for a back friendly, comfortable cruiser with decent power (200+bhp) which could still be fun on the odd occasion I need it to be. I'm open to going electric too for the first time. I don't want anything ridiculously long or big as it's just me, no family or pets, but an estate would be useful for golf clubs etc.

Budget would be £35k max

[kiethton]

Volvo XC40 - think these keep the Volvo seats, some of the best in the business.

Other than that a 5 series GT with the comfort pack should fit the bill, standard seats fine but the comfort ones are another level.

[RizzoTheRat]

YMMV but I find it's the seating position that's the biggest issue with my back rather than how firm the ride is.

An upright seating position with a decent lumbar support makes a world of difference. I recently did a couple of 2.5 hour trips in an XC40 in complete comfort, and am about to order a Lexus NX which I found even more comfortable than the Volvo, after also test driving the X1, Rav 4 and having had some longer drives in a Grandland, 3008, and various similar rentals

[Juanco20]

RizzoTheRat said:

YMMV but I find it's the seating position that's the biggest issue with my back rather than how firm the ride is.

An upright seating position with a decent lumbar support makes a world of difference. I recently did a couple of 2.5 hour trips in an XC40 in complete comfort, and am about to order a Lexus NX which I found even more comfortable than the Volvo, after also test driving the X1, Rav 4 and having had some longer drives in a Grandland, 3008, and various similar rentals

Yes I have the seat in my A class quite upright but there is no lumbar support so you still find yourself falling in to a bad rounded position in the lower back

[ilikejam]

Volvo V60 would seem to fit the bill.

Polestar Engineered T8 would provide the thrills:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505192...

Or a slightly more sensible T6 in Ultimate trim:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505092...

[RizzoTheRat]

By upright I don't mean the seat back, I mean the seat base higher above the floor, so my knees are closer to 90 degrees, more like the position I'd sit in an office chair rather than go kart. In general that means SUV's, although not all of them, my sister has an HRV and that has a very car like seating position.

[paul_c123]

IMHO VW, Saab, Volvo do the best seats. Ironically, Seat seats are the worst (for me). Maybe a Merc or Jaguar can be comfy enough too, maybe a Land Rover.

[Ezra]

You'd get a lovely, low mile, lots of kit Lexus 450h with Lexus warranty for that budget. Mines very comfortable & supportive, I can drive all day with no back issues at all and the seats have excellent lumbar support. They're not for the enthusiastic driver mind, so not much fun factor, but the CVT drivetrain is no where near as lacklustre as folks would have you believe. They just simply do everything remarkably well.

[Diderot]

XC40 Recharge Twin. 400bhp and so comfortable.

[drgoatboy]

You probably need to work out what's making your back bad. I've had similar problems and sold cars after just a few months as they made my back bad. I had The top spec Skoda superb and everyone swore blind they were some of the comfiest seats ever but they absolutely destroyed my back!
For me it seems to be a lot about the angle of the seat, I need it lower at the front than I am told it should be. Seems to work for me.
Bizarre but I found Elise seats super comfy and even lightly padded carbon buckets comfy but don't get on with Volvo seats....

Infinity q50 seats were great and the hybrid version is a quick car but older now than you probably want. I've found Renault seats good but that rather limits choice right now.

If I were you I would try and find something that's really adjustable in every direction and preferably with a memory setting. You can experiment then and try and work out what the issue is. Had an eclass with the electric seats that had tonnes of adjustment. Likewise my current enyaq vrs, it took me a few weeks to find a spot on position but it's easy to try a position, set it in memory and see how you get on, make a tweak and repeat....

[ZX10R NIN]

GV60:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505302...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502259...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501248...

Kuga ST Line X hybrid, good steer & good seats:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506073...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503130...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505192...

Not a spirited steer but the UX Premium Plus could be the pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504061...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502108...

[bobthemonkey]

BMW 1 series ( last of the RWD cars) ; either a non MSport, or an MSport xDrive (either get the softer suspension setup), small wheels and non-run flats.

[SP_]

Ezra said:

You'd get a lovely, low mile, lots of kit Lexus 450h with Lexus warranty for that budget. Mines very comfortable & supportive, I can drive all day with no back issues at all and the seats have excellent lumbar support. They're not for the enthusiastic driver mind, so not much fun factor, but the CVT drivetrain is no where near as lacklustre as folks would have you believe. They just simply do everything remarkably well.

Agreed. My mum has recently picked up a brand new NX450h+ (not an RX granted), and it is unbelievably comfortable.

[macron]

35k is loads,

I think you want the most adjustable seats you can get, anything with a functioning massage option, did you Pug 308 GTi not have it? Get one and and keep 20k?! Any Porsche with the 18+ way optional adjustment (Cayenne, Panamera), or any BMW with th proper electric options ticked, look for the circular button at the back like this



Which gives proper lumbar. 6GC would also fit, and save you half the money, or get them in an i4 and have the electric running and nice cruising too.

[Jamescrs]

I know people always reference Volvo seats when this type of topic comes up but I found them to be pretty poor on my back when I had a V60, I now also have access to driving XC90's at work and still can't say I find them particularly good.

I have found BMW seats to be much better personally