[root-n-5th]

Hello all,

So, We've had our brand new Ateca for a couple of weeks and my wife has been driving it and likes it. I did the test drive and drove it back fromm the dealership, but did a longer journey today and realised that I just can't get my driving position to work. When my legs and body are in the correct position and I stretch out my hand my fingertips touch the top of the steering wheel - far too stretched. In my Volvo, the wheel touches my wrist and I can flop my hand over the wheel making for a very comfortable position. I ended up playing with the back rest to move closer causing back pain. The wheel is pulled out as much as it can go. If I move the seat further forward I have the problem where there is no thigh support and my leg goes into a spasm after a few miles. I can't believe that a current model car can be so bad.

What are my options? Can I reject the car (It's under 30 days old) for this reason, or is this not valid? I'll end up not driving it if we keep it and bundling the family in the smaller Volvo, which is a complete waste of a new car.

Many thanks for your help.

 

[Roger48]

I very much doubt you can reject the car as it clearly is not faulty, or not supplied to specification.

It took me a week or so to find the right driving position and now I find the car very comfortable.

Good luck, I am sure you can find the right position.

 

[Silvertouran]

You do know that the steering wheel can be pulled towards you?

 

[root-n-5th]

You do know that the steering wheel can be pulled towards you?

Yes, I've pulled it as far as it comes. It's about half the travel of the Volvo. It's a common problem I have with cars. I'll probably get a memory foam cushion for the seat to support the thighs and hope it's ok. Nice car otherwise, but it's no competition on seat comfort.

 

[coleman keith]

so its a common problem YOU have with cars yet you expect to be able to just reject it !!!!!! I think you need to rethink your priorities.
I don't think the car is the problem here.. Sorry if my response is a little abrupt but rejecting the car is clearly not the answer and it is certainly not the manufacturers fault.

 

[root-n-5th]

I don't really expect to reject it, just looking for some feedback. Was a bit annoyed when I got back from the drive, but I think I'll be able to sort it out with some cushions and adjustment. Just wish the steering wheel came out further than it does. Thanks for all your replies.

 

[Phantom]

Test Drive comes to mind.

 

[matthab]

Im glad im not the only one. The silly thing is it was really comfortable when I got it, but it went in for warranty work and the mechanic must of adjusted everything he could find, now I cant get comfortable. Still trying to find a good position which doesnt give me lower back pain after one hour.

My wife claims its the most comfortable car she has driven. To make things worse every time the misses drives it shes there changing it all :twisted:

 

[Sash]

Im glad im not the only one.

Emmm, afraid to ask... why are you glad when others suffer too?

 

[Paul.Cambs]

When I first got mine I felt the steering wheel wouldn't come forward as much as I would have liked - it felt like I was stretching.

Final twigged I was used to years of salons with a more laid-back seating position and as soon as I thought of it as a van/bench seat and adjusted for a more upright position everything just clicked into place - now one of the most comfortable cars I've had !!!

 

[matthab]

When I first got mine I felt the steering wheel wouldn't come forward as much as I would have liked - it felt like I was stretching.

Final twigged I was used to years of salons with a more laid-back seating position and as soon as I thought of it as a van/bench seat and adjusted for a more upright position everything just clicked into place - now one of the most comfortable cars I've had !!!

This is probably my issue. I've always driven low down hatch backs so probably a case of getting used to the high up bench feel.

 

[qntrix]

So, after 500+ tryouts with different seat position, cushion pads, massage mattresses, extra padding to support elbows, i finally found an up-right position from which i can both reach pedals and the steering weel in a comfortable manner.
I was actually happy, but noticed that as I raise the seat, i need to come forward to reach the wheel. As i come forward, the mirror is blocking my view. thought it should still be ok, even if i had to bend to see over it.

This morning i nearly crashed my Ateca!!!!, on a right turn, into a small Fiat i could not see because of the mirror.

Does anyone found a solution to this unbearable up-right seating position? And i'm talking real solutions, like : changing seat, adjusting pedals, buying some other car, etc.

 

[Fred99]

I think the last option is your best bet. I haven't seen any complaints on this forum

 

[boristhebold]

i'm with Fred, get a 24 hr test drive of other stuff you like and spend a good few hours behind the wheel of each. XC40 or XC60? Volvo are renowned for comfort

 

[ATECAFRS]

Sorry i had to laugh... of course the solution to any problem with any car could be to "buy a different car. Could be costly though for some.

I would think if the mirror is obstructing your view you must be sitting way too high.

If you want an extreme solution you could remove the mirror as i don't think its a legal requirement.

However I would try lowering the seat so your view of the road is below the mirror. Moving it back slightly if you are then too close to the pedals. pull the steering wheel towards you until your palm touches the top with your arm straight and shoulders back in the seat. You shouldn't be closer to the wheel than this or drive with you wrists as the OP does. Remember there is a powerful airbag in the wheel and seat belts are designed to give a little in a crash. If this position is new it will take time to get used to but should be fine after a few weeks.
Cars can be modified to suit people of all shapes an sizes by specialist mobility companies. Maybe these could help if all else fails.

 

[boristhebold]

I've been in the OPs position, having an upholsterer add extra foam inserts in both front seats and still arriving after a long drive in pain with sciatica starting....and having, ultimately to sell the car (and ended up with a Saab) I wasn't knee jerking' a reply. I went with his last post where he said;

So, after 500+ tryouts with different seat position, cushion pads, massage mattresses, extra padding to support elbows, i finally found an up-right position from which i can both reach pedals and the steering weel in a comfortable manner.

There's a limit to what can be achieved with ergonomics in a cars seating position and some just will never be 'right' for everyone.
OP, hope you get sorted

 

[ATECAFRS]

Oops....boristhebold i want criticising your response.

It was qntrix suggestion of buying a new car made me laugh (in a funny way not a critical way) as an obvious but extreme solution for the OP (which i assume is a different person).

I realise lots of positions were tried but if its the upright nature of the seat that is critiscised a lower position should counteract this to some extent. It could however be the seat itself rather than the height.

I too have trouble with sciatica and had lots of trouble with an Astra with sports seats several years ago. I found this was due to the firm seat back and found cars with a soft lumbar religion suit me better. Others however may find a lumbar cushion helps as many recommended me at the time.

I only did short commutes so stuck with the astra but it was torture for anything over 1 hr initially. It did improve slightly over time. Not sure if the seat softened or if i got use to it. I also bought a very expensive mattresses linked to NASA which helped a lot.

I find the fr sport seats with the lumbar support all the way in are great for me being soft in the lumbar religion with this setting. The tilting base also helps leg support taking pressure off your lower spine. Are 4 way lumbar and tilt agustments available on all models? Perhaps a seat swop may help if yours doesn't have these features.

 

[boristhebold]

No offence taken. Spoken word is so much easier to get a sensible point across than typing...I always re-read prior to clicking submit to try to make sure I'm not going to say something that someone will get annoyed with...doesn't always work I'm afraid. Hey, that's the internet for you.

 

[C4ble]

I know this post is quite old but I thought my findings on this situation would be helpful for anybody in a similar situation.
Firstly the ateca is one of many what I call crossover style vehicles higher off the road and is really made for an upright position .
I think by making a saloon style driving position in this style of vehicle you will be compromising your view .
Secondly when sharing your vehicle with your partner/spouse as I do.
Try and reach a compromise together on a driving position where as you only move the seat back and forth .
As you fine tune the seating position for your comfort that will have the reverse effect on any person that is not yourself.
An upright posture is very hard to acclimatise to for a person who has been driving saloons or hatched cars for 20 plus years .
Again if you do insist on driving this shape of car in a saloon type seating position you may compromise your safety and the safety of other drivers by obstructing your view and making increased blind spots . In such a scenario I would say this car is not for you .

 

[Longmoor]

I must be incredibly fortunate. On taking delivery of a new car, I have never needed to adjust the steering wheel. I adjust the seat height,distance from pedals, lumbar support and off I go.