Which compact car has the best seat height for someone with lower back problems?

Answer 1

Chris, my hammies are also flexibility-impaired, to they point where my 2000 Accord feels like the seat surface is two inches off the floor and the pedals are tucked under the dash somewhere, so I've been looking for a comfier car, preferably smaller (in addition to getting into better stretching habits). I have had no luck finding this "floor to seat height" nor cabin "floor to ceiling" height information on the internet, it doesn't seem to be a thing that EPA requires ratings on nor that car reviewers regularly notice. So I've had to do my own testing. Observations: The European cars often have great seats but I'm not inclined in that direction. Check out the VW Rabbit and similarly sized cars. Volvo too has some amazing seats, at least in some of its cars. The '07 and up Hyundai Elantra has a roomy cabin and a height-adjustable seat. My favorite is the current generation Scion xB. While it's predecessor was a noisy, thrifty (small engined) little thing with loads of headroom, the new one is related only in name and general shape. Think of it as the cross-over version of the Camry. It has height-adjustable seats and even more headroom than the Elantra. Side note: the Rabbit, Elantra, and xB are also very quiet, in terms of their tested sound levels when cruising at 70mph. So is the new Civic (non-EX, non-Si models), but I have not evaluated it's seat. I hope that this helps someone! Lon in Atl == == I asked the question, I just wanted to add that when I sit low and my legs are out in front of me, my hamstrings seem to pull on my lower back and after about an hour or two, I feel pain down my legs and they start to go numb. I currently drive a full sized Dodge ram where I sit upright with my legs at about a 45 degree angle at the knees. The truck seats don't irritate my back. I'm 6'2" and would like to buy a smaller car (gas prices!). Thanks Chris