Are you sitting comfortably? Ibiza driving position.

[Mr Pig]

Had the Ibiza FR just over a week now and I have to say I really like the little guy. Just one big ugly fly in the soup though. I cannot find a good driving position.

I'm not a freak, five-ten on a good day and typical proportions, but the Ibiza seems to suffer the scourge that afflicts many small cars. The pedals are too close. Try as I might I cannot get my right leg supported by the seat and still have the wheel a good distance. The pedals are not offset, as they are on some RHD small cars, but heck, is this really such a hard thing to get right?

Anyone else having the same problem? Anyone found a good solution??

 

[MIH11MI6]

I'm 6'4" and commute 2500 miles a month, and its perfectly comfy.

I've found the best way for me, is to put the seat back further, to allow my legs to spread (no pun intended) left foot mostly on the footrest unless i change gear, and then my right leg on the side somewhat to flip between accelerator and brake quickly. The trick...

Steering wheel rake. Seat back further with rake out and down, brings the steering wheel out so its still a comfortable arm length, while giving more room for my legs

It might help for you, let me know

 

[KXL]

Sitting position quite comfy for me, I have a DSG though, so pedals are different. I'm 5ft 8, seat 2nd highest position, steering highest position, furthest in....did London to Manchester 3.5 hrs straight with 15 min break...no issues...if i flip the seat forward (I have an SC) the headrest will brush the sun visor though..

 

[Mr Pig]

I can't have the seat far enough back for my legs to rest on the seat while still having the wheel at a good distance. Where I think there might be confusion is the wheel position.

I see a lot of people driving with the wheel too far away. Ideally, with your shoulders against the seat-back, you should be able to sit your wrists on the top of the wheel. You should at least be able to hold the top of the wheel without having to fully straighten your arms or lift your shoulders off the seat.

A lot of people drive with the wheel further away than this but from a control and safety perspective it's not good. Think of the 'boy racer' driving position, seat slanted backwards, arms out straight like Rodger Ramjet! That's an exaggeration but you know what I mean?

I'm trying to find a 'good' driving position and I'm struggling. To be honest, the Leon is borderline. I could use a bit more reach on the wheel but I can live with it. Almost every other car I've had has been fine. The best were Nissan Primeras. The only other car which had terrible control positions was a Corsa many years ago. It had both offset pedals and they were far too close. Handled like crap as well, hated that car!

 

[dm222]

first, I suppose you already know but the steering wheel position is adjustable.

well... if you get the top of the wheel so close to you the bottom will be too close.

also it will be strange because you will touch with your knees in the steering column.

i can only reach the top of the wheel with arms almost fully straighten.

I know what you mean... I face the same problem... I would like to get the top of the steering wheel closer to me but that affects everything else...

I think I created a thread here or on another forum because I can't also find a good driving position, the good news is, over time, I got used to it, now, most of the time I drive with both hands on the sides of the wheel, or at the bottom on highways.

and I also think the armrest is not in a good position... so I never use it.

 

[Mr Pig]

first, I suppose you already know but the steering wheel position is adjustable.

No way! Get outa here.

I'm 5ft 8, seat 2nd highest position, steering highest position, furthest in..

I like having the seat as low as it will go but I'm experimenting with having it higher to see if it helps. The adjustments available are poor. You're not even getting proper seat height adjustment, it just drops down at the back. Considering how important a good driving position is I think the lack of adjustment on many small cars is cost cutting too far. When I was looking at cars, I walked away from any that didn't have reach on the wheel.

 

[RUM4MO]

Were you joking about dm222's comment about the steering column being adjustable for rake and reach?

 

[Mr Pig]

Were you joking about dm222's comment about the steering column being adjustable for rake and reach?

What do you think?

 

[camelspyyder]

Just the opposite for me. Ibiza mk5 and Toledo mk4 both very comfortable but Leon mk 3 driving position didn't suit at all especially the console sticking into my left leg the whole time. Tried several different seat / wheel combinations but it was no good. Could tell that on a 100 mile test drive so I didn't buy it.

 

[Mr Pig]

Just the opposite for me. Ibiza mk5 and Toledo mk4 both very comfortable but Leon mk 3 driving position didn't suit at all..

Strange that, especially as there is more room in the footwell of the Leon than there is in the Ibiza. I haven't measured it (yet) but the pedals are slightly closer in the Ibiza. If I was going on a long trip, I'd definitely want to be in the Leon.

 

[KXL]

Ibiza's mirrors are massive, like a 40 inch TV, versus perhaps a 26 inch TV for the Leon

Saying that, I didn't find the Leon or Ibiza's seats particularly uncomfortable, Merc GLA and Merc A class all in one 'sports seats' were very uncomfortable for me, coz the headrest don't rise or fall, and it protrudes where my head is...perhaps people who are taller or shorter woudl find it all right...

 

[Mr Pig]

I can't say I've noticed the size of the mirrors.

I find the seats in both cars fine although I particularly like the sports seats in the FR. A couple of passengers have commented on how nice they are too.

Worst seat prize goes to a Nissan Primera GT I had years ago. Half-leather sports seats but very narrow between the bolsters and the ones on the seat back went right to the top of the seat. Who thought of that? Pushed your shoulders forward. I actually removed the stiff foam from that area and put very soft foam in instead. Helped a bit.

 

[KXL]

Worst seat prize goes to a Nissan Primera GT I had years ago. Half-leather sports seats but very narrow between the bolsters and the ones on the seat back went right to the top of the seat. Who thought of that? Pushed your shoulders forward. I actually removed the stiff foam from that area and put very soft foam in instead. Helped a bit.

Most uncomfortable seat for me was a Ford Focus LX TDI wagon (it was rented car).

 

[Mr Pig]

Most uncomfortable seat for me was a Ford Focus LX TDI wagon.

The Primera GT was the worst seat, only because of the bolsters, but apart from that all of the Datsun/Nissan cars I've owned/drove have been very comfortable. Right back to the Sunny van I drove thirty-odd years ago, you could happily sit in them all day.

 

[steveemacz FR]

I’m 6 ft 4 and I have the seat right at the back. Only problem is the person who sits behind me. Gets the short straw.

 

[camelspyyder]

I’m 6 ft 4 and I have the seat right at the back. Only problem is the person who sits behind me. Gets the short straw.

I bet. Even with median size drivers the back seat kneeroom is barely adequate for anyone older than about 9.

 

[Som]

As someone who is 5'7 I find it fits nicely but even then I have slightly longer legs proportionally so I have my seat about half way back.

If I was taller I might find it a bit snug even all the way back. Probably would have gone for the Leon if that was an issue.

 

[ric04vrs]

6 footer here, the only issue I have is the seat is too high, so I have to slouch a little bit

 

[Mr Pig]

If I was taller I might find it a bit snug even all the way back. Probably would have gone for the Leon if that was an issue.

We have both Ibiza and Leon and the seat positions and adjustments available are very similar, the exception being the gear knob which is lower in the Ibiza.