Hatchback with the best driving seat!!!

fastraj · 18th May 2011, 16:34

Looks like swift is getting the most votes, will have to test drive it then!

selfdrive · 18th May 2011, 16:46

Firstly are you sure that your back pain is being caused due to the seat and nothing else? Sure it could be enhanced or felt during your ride, but is there something else you should be considering?
I had a similar issue (pain in lower back) and I ascribed it to my bike riding. However, I had the same pain even when I gave up riding my bike for some time. On eliminating a few habits by combination, I realised that this pain was caused more due to the way I sit on a chair with one leg over the other. I am not saying this is the reason for your backpain, just using an example to say that the reason could also be elsewhere

Secondly, we are talking of OEM seats here; would it be possible to change to a seat with better support in the aftermarket? I am not aware of this, just putting a thought out there.

Like some others have already mentioned, driving comfort would be the entire ergonomical position (positions of gear know, pedals, steering wheel, window controls, armrest etc) and not only the seat.
I am very pleased with the driving position in my Jazz. A new one was out of budget for me at the time too, but I managed to find a pre owned one.
You may want to look at the used car market to expand the range of cars in your budget?

fastraj · 18th May 2011, 17:15

Lets add a poll and see which car is the most comfortable for people with weak backs!

rameshnanda · 18th May 2011, 17:25

Among the vehicles I have driven, I feel Figo has got the better driving seat. I own a Punto, and it took me some time to get a perfect seating position.

phamilyman · 18th May 2011, 17:35

Amron is the brand of lumbar support. Its designed quite badly (atleast for hatches) because its too thick and ruins the otherwise perfect thigh support in swift.

I am one of those who sit 100% forward. So i20 is darned uncomfortable for me (cramped foot well). Swift is perfect in comparison. Ofcourse, YMMV.

HKP · 18th May 2011, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by phamilyman

I am one of those who sit 100% forward. So i20 is darned uncomfortable for me (cramped foot well). Swift is perfect in comparison. Ofcourse, YMMV.

I felt my i20 is very comfortable. I don't sit forward though like how you do. I raised the seat height and adjusted the steering position and the comfort and road view seems very good compared to any other hatchback I tried. May be you should try this too.

\\hkp

fastraj · 18th May 2011, 19:42

@hkp i20 is uncomfortable for people who sit forward because the lower half of the dashboard becomes a hinderance. But if u take the seat back and bring out the steering then its manageable!

phamilyman · 18th May 2011, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKP

I felt my i20 is very comfortable. I don't sit forward though like how you do. I raised the seat height and adjusted the steering position and the comfort and road view seems very good compared to any other hatchback I tried. May be you should try this too.

\\hkp

HKP saab,

To each their own - I can't drive like you - you can't drive like me

Its simple - for a far forward driver, Swift is vastly comfortable compared to i20. For a sit-back driver, i have no clue - I don't drive like that!

ampere · 18th May 2011, 20:42

Folks can some one point me to I20 CRDI ownership reviews. I was interested to know, how is it on highways and in the city. Could never see a comprehensive ownership review.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT : Sorry for that off topic question. The motivation is that every time, when we see a Punto Vs I20 CRDI discussion, all these questions come out.

headbanger · 18th May 2011, 21:18

I thought of voting for Ritz. But when I saw the options of the poll, I was

. Haven't driven Jazz and Fabia substantially to comment upon but amongst Figo, Swift and Punto, I would vote for Swift.

BTW, ergonomics of Ritz are very good- long travel range of front seats, good positioning of gear knob and easy ingress-egress. My 2 cents only if it is one of the options...

joshguy · 18th May 2011, 21:31

Go for the swift,i too have slip disc and have a swift

download2live · 18th May 2011, 21:36

Can't participate in polls since I have not driven any other car other than Punto. And yes it takes sometime to get the posture right in Punto. But among all the cars listed in the poll the best suspension would be of Punto. Makes driving totally fatigue free.

CDM · 18th May 2011, 22:15

@fastraj: Please do try each car before you actually buy one. If possible, please try to borrow a friend's car for a day or two as a mere TD is not sufficient. I bought a Getz thinking it was going to be as comfortable as my Indica V2 but realised later that this was not so.

Also, keep in mind that everyone has a different requirement, threshold of pain etc. So, what may be good for me may not be good for you. I have friends (who have no disc issues) who swear by the comfort of the ANHC but I find getting in and out quite a pain.

That said, here is what I feel all of us with disc issues should look for:

High seating position (as close to an armchair as possible).
Pedals that do not require much effort (heavy pedals hurt the back).
A soft suspension.

I am not certain if the Swift has a sufficiently high seating position. As @headbanger has also said, have you checked the Ritz? It comes in Diesel (which is what you want), has a high seating position and soft suspension (which is what you need). Finally, its a Maruti so ownership issues should not be a problem.

Regards,

CDM

VW2010 · 18th May 2011, 22:30

Quote:

The best driver's seat in any hatchback i have experienced is Swift and even though the steering in not adjustable, it's well positioned.

Another one to agree to this point. The most comfortable seats that i have ever sat on is the Swift. I am 6'1 and big and i enjoy driving my swift than taking my brothers i10 or my friend Figo anyday

torquecurve · 18th May 2011, 22:31

Have you tried the Vista? I suffer from a lower back problem and it is a dream. I have done 8 hours of driving (highway+traffic+really bad traffic) on some poor roads and it felt good. the suspension is good at handling almost anything that the roads throw at it. The seat has height adjust so you can have a 'sitting' position while driving rather than the 'go kart' position which helps your back.

Do check it out.

View Poll Results: Hatchback with the most back friendly seat!
Figo	15	13.16%
Fabia	16	14.04%
Punto	24	21.05%
Swift	51	44.74%
Jazz	14	12.28%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 114. You may not vote on this poll

18th May 2011, 16:34	#16
fastraj BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 103 Thanked: 25 Times View My Garage	Looks like swift is getting the most votes, will have to test drive it then!
	() Thanks

18th May 2011, 16:46	#17
selfdrive Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Zurich Posts: 2,960 Thanked: 3,575 Times	Re: Hatchback with the best driving seat!!! Firstly are you sure that your back pain is being caused due to the seat and nothing else? Sure it could be enhanced or felt during your ride, but is there something else you should be considering? I had a similar issue (pain in lower back) and I ascribed it to my bike riding. However, I had the same pain even when I gave up riding my bike for some time. On eliminating a few habits by combination, I realised that this pain was caused more due to the way I sit on a chair with one leg over the other. I am not saying this is the reason for your backpain, just using an example to say that the reason could also be elsewhere Secondly, we are talking of OEM seats here; would it be possible to change to a seat with better support in the aftermarket? I am not aware of this, just putting a thought out there. Like some others have already mentioned, driving comfort would be the entire ergonomical position (positions of gear know, pedals, steering wheel, window controls, armrest etc) and not only the seat. I am very pleased with the driving position in my Jazz. A new one was out of budget for me at the time too, but I managed to find a pre owned one. You may want to look at the used car market to expand the range of cars in your budget?
	(1) Thanks

18th May 2011, 17:15	#18
fastraj BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 103 Thanked: 25 Times View My Garage	Re: Hatchback with the best driving seat!!! Lets add a poll and see which car is the most comfortable for people with weak backs!
	() Thanks

18th May 2011, 17:25	#19
rameshnanda Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,267 Thanked: 1,240 Times	Re: Hatchback with the best driving seat!!! Among the vehicles I have driven, I feel Figo has got the better driving seat. I own a Punto, and it took me some time to get a perfect seating position.
	(1) Thanks

18th May 2011, 17:35	#20
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,975 Thanked: 4,673 Times	Re: Hatchback with the best driving seat!!! Amron is the brand of lumbar support. Its designed quite badly (atleast for hatches) because its too thick and ruins the otherwise perfect thigh support in swift. I am one of those who sit 100% forward. So i20 is darned uncomfortable for me (cramped foot well). Swift is perfect in comparison. Ofcourse, YMMV.
	(1) Thanks

18th May 2011, 19:42	#22
fastraj BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 103 Thanked: 25 Times View My Garage	Re: Hatchback with the best driving seat!!! @hkp i20 is uncomfortable for people who sit forward because the lower half of the dashboard becomes a hinderance. But if u take the seat back and bring out the steering then its manageable!
	() Thanks

18th May 2011, 20:42	#24
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 18,334 Thanked: 13,622 Times View My Garage	Re: Hatchback with the best driving seat!!! Folks can some one point me to I20 CRDI ownership reviews. I was interested to know, how is it on highways and in the city. Could never see a comprehensive ownership review. Thanks in advance. EDIT : Sorry for that off topic question. The motivation is that every time, when we see a Punto Vs I20 CRDI discussion, all these questions come out. Last edited by ampere : 18th May 2011 at 20:44.
	() Thanks

18th May 2011, 21:18	#25
headbanger BHPian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 567 Thanked: 1,633 Times	Re: Hatchback with the best driving seat!!! I thought of voting for Ritz. But when I saw the options of the poll, I was . Haven't driven Jazz and Fabia substantially to comment upon but amongst Figo, Swift and Punto, I would vote for Swift. BTW, ergonomics of Ritz are very good- long travel range of front seats, good positioning of gear knob and easy ingress-egress. My 2 cents only if it is one of the options...
	() Thanks

18th May 2011, 21:31	#26
joshguy BANNED Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,379 Thanked: 110 Times	Re: Hatchback with the best driving seat!!! Go for the swift,i too have slip disc and have a swift
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18th May 2011, 21:36	#27
download2live Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: - Posts: 1,157 Thanked: 1,271 Times	Re: Hatchback with the best driving seat!!! Can't participate in polls since I have not driven any other car other than Punto. And yes it takes sometime to get the posture right in Punto. But among all the cars listed in the poll the best suspension would be of Punto. Makes driving totally fatigue free.
	() Thanks

18th May 2011, 22:15	#28
CDM BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NOIDA Posts: 105 Thanked: 102 Times	Re: Hatchback with the best driving seat!!! @fastraj: Please do try each car before you actually buy one. If possible, please try to borrow a friend's car for a day or two as a mere TD is not sufficient. I bought a Getz thinking it was going to be as comfortable as my Indica V2 but realised later that this was not so. Also, keep in mind that everyone has a different requirement, threshold of pain etc. So, what may be good for me may not be good for you. I have friends (who have no disc issues) who swear by the comfort of the ANHC but I find getting in and out quite a pain. That said, here is what I feel all of us with disc issues should look for: High seating position (as close to an armchair as possible). Pedals that do not require much effort (heavy pedals hurt the back). A soft suspension. I am not certain if the Swift has a sufficiently high seating position. As @headbanger has also said, have you checked the Ritz? It comes in Diesel (which is what you want), has a high seating position and soft suspension (which is what you need). Finally, its a Maruti so ownership issues should not be a problem. Regards, CDM
	(1) Thanks

18th May 2011, 22:31	#30
torquecurve BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 802 Thanked: 1,714 Times	Re: Hatchback with the best driving seat!!! Have you tried the Vista? I suffer from a lower back problem and it is a dream. I have done 8 hours of driving (highway+traffic+really bad traffic) on some poor roads and it felt good. the suspension is good at handling almost anything that the roads throw at it. The seat has height adjust so you can have a 'sitting' position while driving rather than the 'go kart' position which helps your back. Do check it out.
	() Thanks