car with lumbar support

[Ellie2758]

Does anybody know which cars are available with lumbar support for the driver (for passenger too would be a bonus!). I currently have a Scenic and would like a similar car - i.e. MPV, as the uprightness of the seat suits my back. I was wondering about the Nissan Almera Tino, or one of those new-fangled Toyota Corollas that are in the upright style. Sorry, not sure of the name of them and the Toyota website isnt loading properly at the moment. Is it the Verso? I dont particularly want 7 seats though, but a big boot would be an advantage.

thanks

[wendym]

The only car manufacturer I have found with proper support for both driver and passenger is Volvo.

I have had both large and small models, but you would need to check that the newest small models have it too - although my children have left home, and I have no dogs, I now intend to drive a Volvo estate for ever!

[Ellie2758]

Unfortunately an estate is no good for me because the seat needs to be upright. I dont think volvo do an MPV style car, do they?

[vansboy]

Don't JUST think of an in-built lumber support - it's usually just a piece of the seat that is pushed into you, nothing more scientific, than that.

Although Saab have a pretty good record of good design.

Check out http://www.drivingergonomics.com/

Then try a few different cars, just a visit to a few showrooms, will help you decide.

VB

[Ellie2758]

Don't JUST think of an in-built lumber support - it's usually just a piece of the seat that is pushed into you, nothing more scientific, than that.

Although Saab have a pretty good record of good design.

Check out http://www.drivingergonomics.com/

Then try a few different cars, just a visit to a few showrooms, will help you decide.

VB

It's better than nothing though. Trying them out doesnt work too well as it is only once I hve been sat for a while that I get problems with my back.

[lil_me]

Volvo definately, we've got an old one but the lumbar supports are still fab, I have a back injury which happened when I was a child and it's great for me. Got to agree it's a case of trying the car and see how the seating position is for you etc which helps a lot. What's comfortable for one may be the opposite for the other. My Dad also has a back problem and loved the comfort of his Zafira.

[plane_boy2000]

From my experience some of the VW group cars have very good seats. I suffer with my back and have found that in my last 4 audis I have had no problems at all. The more sports orintated models have firmer seats which can also help. The VW Touran may fit your bill

[Ellie2758]

Thanks, I had wondered about the Zafira and the Touran actually. I was looking at the Japanese models because my brother had a Toyota that lasted for years and was relatively cheap to maintain.

[brodev]

Lexus have lumber support

[wendym]

Unfortunately an estate is no good for me because the seat needs to be upright. I dont think volvo do an MPV style car, do they?

My seat is upright - I have it so that the back is vertical and the seat horizontal - a bit like an upholstered dining chair, if that makes sense.

And I agree that Lexus do great seats too (my daughter has one), but they're expensive cars. About as expensive as the Volvo XC90.

[mrbadexample]

I would also recommend Volvo seats, but failing that, you could consider this (http://www.openerg.com/back-support.htm). ;)

[Ellie2758]

My seat is upright - I have it so that the back is vertical and the seat horizontal - a bit like an upholstered dining chair, if that makes sense.

And I agree that Lexus do great seats too (my daughter has one), but they're expensive cars. About as expensive as the Volvo XC90.


difficult to explain what I mean but I have to be sat upright as if I were in a chair. if it is an estate car then my legs would not be at the right angle I'm afraid.

[Ellie2758]

I would also recommend Volvo seats, but failing that, you could consider this (http://www.openerg.com/back-support.htm). ;)


I'm afraid that wouldnt help because the support on that is not actually in the lumbar region. If you look at the example on the office chair - the gap where there is absolutely nothing is where support is needed!

[brodev]

Have you considered buying a McKenzie Lumbar Roll. They are made for your problem and they are portable

[wendym]

difficult to explain what I mean but I have to be sat upright as if I were in a chair. if it is an estate car then my legs would not be at the right angle I'm afraid.

Hi Ellie - I'm clearly not explaining this very well, but I too have to sit upright as if in a chair, and that's exactly how I sit in my Volvo. It's adjusted to be completely different from normal car seats. I think the crucial thing is that the seat doesn't slope down from front to back, but is horizontal, and I have lumbar support in the back of the seat. The back of the car being estate-shaped doesn't affect the front seats at all.

[speedbird]

I had the same problem when looking to replace my Scenic earlier this year. I needed something a little smaller as kids have their own cars now. I got a Mercedes A class classic (basic model). The driving position is high like the scenic, there is adjustable driver and passenger lumbar support and adjustable steering wheel position. Having suffered back problems for many years, I can do a long journey in this car without suffering any pain during and after the journey!

[mrbadexample]

I'm afraid that wouldnt help because the support on that is not actually in the lumbar region. If you look at the example on the office chair - the gap where there is absolutely nothing is where support is needed!

:think: It's not an office chair you'd be sitting on! The support is completely height adjustable, so you can position it to suit. I've suffered with back problems for over 10 years, and have tried both this and the McKenzie Lumbar Roll mentioned by brodev. The MLR is (IMO) not especially good; extremely difficult to position consistently and comfortably.

The Back Shape is, as the name suggests, correctly designed for the shape of your back - it's not just a foam cylinder like the MLR. Did you see the picture with it positioned on a car seat? The way it works is to ensure correct back posture is maintained - you don't need something jammed in your lumbar region to achieve this. It is without doubt the most comfortable and efficacious back support I've found.

In any case, they offer a full refund if you're not satisfied, no matter how long you've had it. You could try it for a month or two, decide it's not for you and send it back for a full refund.

But I don't suppose you will. :rolleyes:

[Ellie2758]

Have you considered buying a McKenzie Lumbar Roll. They are made for your problem and they are portable


Yes, I do have one and sometimes I have to use it with the lumbar support on my Scenic. It is helpful in pubs and restaurants but not on long car journeys.

[Ellie2758]

Hi Ellie - I'm clearly not explaining this very well, but I too have to sit upright as if in a chair, and that's exactly how I sit in my Volvo. It's adjusted to be completely different from normal car seats. I think the crucial thing is that the seat doesn't slope down from front to back, but is horizontal, and I have lumbar support in the back of the seat. The back of the car being estate-shaped doesn't affect the front seats at all.

So do you mean that your legs arent stretched out in front of you but are in a vertical position at right angles to the floor, as if you were in a car?

[wendym]

As well as my trusty Volvo, I don't go anywhere without my lumbar support cushion, and I've realised that an estate isn't as silly as I thought, cos when I went to stay with my daughter last week I put my Ikea plastic garden chair in the back of the car.
Why doesn't everyone aged 30 have back trouble produced by their sofas and chairs?

[Ellie2758]

I had the same problem when looking to replace my Scenic earlier this year. I needed something a little smaller as kids have their own cars now. I got a Mercedes A class classic (basic model). The driving position is high like the scenic, there is adjustable driver and passenger lumbar support and adjustable steering wheel position. Having suffered back problems for many years, I can do a long journey in this car without suffering any pain during and after the journey!


Oddly enough I looked at this (despite it's size!) as my neighbour had one and it looked the same design seat-position wise as my Scenic. Then I read the reviews on HonestJohn.co.uk :eek:

[Ellie2758]

As well as my trusty Volvo, I don't go anywhere without my lumbar support cushion, and I've realised that an estate isn't as silly as I thought, cos when I went to stay with my daughter last week I put my Ikea plastic garden chair in the back of the car.
Why doesn't everyone aged 30 have back trouble produced by their sofas and chairs?

Wendy, my soulmate! The problems we've (I've!) had getting comfortable chairs at home. Invested in that swedish/danish (?) stuff - Ekornes, Stressless my ar*e- cost a fortune:eek: . Still I spend most of the time lying on my back on the floor. :(

[wendym]

So do you mean that your legs arent stretched out in front of you but are in a vertical position at right angles to the floor, as if you were in a car?

I'm guessing you meant to write 'as if you were in a chair', and the answer is yes, but I have room to stretch them from time to time.

[Ellie2758]

:think: It's not an office chair you'd be sitting on! The support is completely height adjustable, so you can position it to suit. I've suffered with back problems for over 10 years, and have tried both this and the McKenzie Lumbar Roll mentioned by brodev. The MLR is (IMO) not especially good; extremely difficult to position consistently and comfortably.

The Back Shape is, as the name suggests, correctly designed for the shape of your back - it's not just a foam cylinder like the MLR. Did you see the picture with it positioned on a car seat? The way it works is to ensure correct back posture is maintained - you don't need something jammed in your lumbar region to achieve this. It is without doubt the most comfortable and efficacious back support I've found.

In any case, they offer a full refund if you're not satisfied, no matter how long you've had it. You could try it for a month or two, decide it's not for you and send it back for a full refund.

But I don't suppose you will. :rolleyes:


Yes Mr Bad, I DID see it positioned on the car seat and mighty uncomfortable it looked! Efficacious, lol :rotfl: Still, it's only money so I will order one and report back. I also need to look at Wendy's first post again to see which Volvo model she has and find one of those too.

Many thanks all.

[wendym]

Wendy, my soulmate! The problems we've (I've!) had getting comfortable chairs at home. Invested in that swedish/danish (?) stuff - Ekornes, Stressless my ar*e- cost a fortune:eek: . Still I spend most of the time lying on my back on the floor. :(

I bought a secondhand Niagara chair (designed to recline) - with my lumbar support cushion I can now sit for half an hour! When I'm away from home I hallucinate my chair (and my high firm mattress).

My Ikea chair (in which I am sitting now) is like the standard plastic chair with arms, but has a decent back (with my other, small support cushion) and reaches up to shoulder height at the back. Of course they have discontinued it.

If I happen on anything that helps my beastly back I'll let you know.

Edited to add:

You need a Volvo with adjustments to both driver and passenger seat. If your budget stretches to it, the XC90 seemed to me to have a perfect seat (but I couldn't afford it) and my daughter's Lexus (I'll ask her what model, but again it's expensive) has a passenger seat that adjusts to suit me (but they still raise their eyebrows when I bring up the back of the seat so I'm not reclining).

I have realised that it would be impossible to adjust the seat to allow the sitting position I need if I were taller, with longer legs. I'm 5'4, with a (relatively!) long body and short legs, so from my knees to the floor isn't a huge distance. My husband has to adjust the seat down a bit so that his head isn't touching the car roof.

[mrbadexample]

Yes Mr Bad, I DID see it positioned on the car seat and mighty uncomfortable it looked! Efficacious, lol :rotfl: Still, it's only money so I will order one and report back. I also need to look at Wendy's first post again to see which Volvo model she has and find one of those too.

Many thanks all.

I'd be interested to hear how you get on with it - I think (and hope) you'll be pleasantly surprised. (PM me, coz I'm bound to miss the post!) I don't recommend things unless I've genuinely found them useful. ;) At least it won't cost you anything to find out, as you can always send it back. :money:

I see you have trouble getting on with the MLR on long car journeys - I found that too. The back shape is a whole lot better (for me, at least!). Make sure you take the time to get the height exactly right for you though - it might take a little bit of fiddling to get it spot on.

It's definitely cheaper than a Volvo. I know, coz I've got one of each. :j

[Ellie2758]

I'd be interested to hear how you get on with it - I think (and hope) you'll be pleasantly surprised. (PM me, coz I'm bound to miss the post!) I don't recommend things unless I've genuinely found them useful. ;) At least it won't cost you anything to find out, as you can always send it back. :money:

I see you have trouble getting on with the MLR on long car journeys - I found that too. The back shape is a whole lot better (for me, at least!). Make sure you take the time to get the height exactly right for you though - it might take a little bit of fiddling to get it spot on.

It's definitely cheaper than a Volvo. I know, coz I've got one of each. :j


Yeh, I was thinking I'd get one of each too. Just a shame they dont offer the same money-back guarantee on the Volvo ;)

[Ellie2758]

I bought a secondhand Niagara chair (designed to recline) - with my lumbar support cushion I can now sit for half an hour! When I'm away from home I hallucinate my chair (and my high firm mattress).

My Ikea chair (in which I am sitting now) is like the standard plastic chair with arms, but has a decent back (with my other, small support cushion) and reaches up to shoulder height at the back. Of course they have discontinued it.

If I happen on anything that helps my beastly back I'll let you know.

Edited to add:

You need a Volvo with adjustments to both driver and passenger seat. If your budget stretches to it, the XC90 seemed to me to have a perfect seat (but I couldn't afford it) and my daughter's Lexus (I'll ask her what model, but again it's expensive) has a passenger seat that adjusts to suit me (but they still raise their eyebrows when I bring up the back of the seat so I'm not reclining).

I have realised that it would be impossible to adjust the seat to allow the sitting position I need if I were taller, with longer legs. I'm 5'4, with a (relatively!) long body and short legs, so from my knees to the floor isn't a huge distance. My husband has to adjust the seat down a bit so that his head isn't touching the car roof.


I was looking at the V50 (why MUST they give them letters and numbers instead of names?!!) because it is cheaper and has an automatic gearbox option. How can I find out whether it has the adjustable seats?! Which model do you have? Maybe I should check out 2nd hand ones........hmmm.

[mrbadexample]

Yeh, I was thinking I'd get one of each too. Just a shame they dont offer the same money-back guarantee on the Volvo ;)

Nah, funnily enough they didn't mention anything about a refund when I bought the Volvo! :rolleyes:

I've just bought an S60 - the seats are great and I'm sure the V50 would be equally comfortable, although I've no idea if you can opt for different spec seats.... :confused:

[wendym]

I was looking at the V50 (why MUST they give them letters and numbers instead of names?!!) because it is cheaper and has an automatic gearbox option. How can I find out whether it has the adjustable seats?! Which model do you have? Maybe I should check out 2nd hand ones........hmmm.

I've bought only secondhand (from a small specialist Volvo garage who occasionally sell cars they can vouch for). I'd start at the local official dealer, explaining what you need, and find out which models would be suitable. It's often difficult to persuade salesmen to adjust the car to the right position, as often they don't know it can be done, and then they think it looks odd. Good luck!

[Ellie2758]

ok, so I have to explain to the salesman how to work the seats that I dont understand myself...............hmmmmmmmm.

[wendym]

ok, so I have to explain to the salesman how to work the seats that I dont understand myself...............hmmmmmmmm.

Pretty much - but isn't having a spiteful back just so character-forming!

Volvo seats have levers (although newer models than mine may well work electrically, like the Lexus). Ideally you need to go with someone whose back is OK to sit and fiddle until you can see that it's looking right. The really important bit is bringing up the back of the bit you sit on.

My daughter reckons that there are secondhand Lexus bargains to be had cos they're often driven by 'poncey gits' (her words) who like to trade up frequently.

[Ellie2758]

Poncey gits, lol. Talking of which, I just saw Daniella Westbrook and her husband at the gym. Boy has that place gone downhill since Esporta sold out to Virgin, lol. D'you reckon she'd sell me her old Lexus then?

Yes, I would say my character is pretty much formed. Can you tell me which year and which model you have so that I can quote your famous seats to the numpty salesman please.

[wendym]

I drive a V70, but the exact model won't be in a showroom as it's not exactly new.

But tell them you'd like to see the seats in the XC90, and ask which models have the same adjustment. I think you may not get the same seats in any model called 'sport' but I'm not 100% sure.

[Ellie2758]

Thanks Wendy. I will do that. I dont want a "sport" model - an estate will do me fine.

[iluvmylexus]

why not buy either a new seat from one of the specialist manufacturers
isringhauser or recaro
or purchase a lumbar support srom a specialist shop they cost about £100
there is a shop in wigmore street in london next door to the chemist john bell and croyden,
cant remember the shops name i am afraid, but it would be a lot cheaper than changing your car

[Ellie2758]

why not buy either a new seat from one of the specialist manufacturers
isringhauser or recaro
or purchase a lumbar support srom a specialist shop they cost about £100
there is a shop in wigmore street in london next door to the chemist john bell and croyden,
cant remember the shops name i am afraid, but it would be a lot cheaper than changing your car

Thanks but to be honest the car is going to need changing at some point in the near future anyway so I may as well get one that is going to do my back some good. Not getting any younger, lol.