We have a Kia Sorento which I rarely drive as my husband does most of the towing and I have my own wee Yaris for every day use, so most of the time when we are away with the Sorento, I am sitting in the front passenger seat. I am vertically challenged, just a fraction over 5 foot, and find the Sorento front passenger seat very low for me. The driver seat has an adjustable height feature but not the passenger seat, so when I am sitting in the passenger seat, I can’t see the road ahead very well. Now, some of you might be thinking, like my husband, why do you need to see the road when you are a passenger? However, I find it very disconcerting not to be able to see properly.
At the minute, I sit on a big cushion to lift me up a bit, but cushions tend to flatten down quite quickly so after a short time, I may as well not be sitting on one and I have not found one that gives me as much lift as I would like. I would like to be at least 10cm higher. I have looked at booster seats but as these are made for kids, they might provide the height I am looking for, but are too narrow for my substantial bottom.
Are there any other short people out there who have found a solution to this problem?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 07/5/2024
What like this.
Loads more options out there via Google.
I have a cushion like this one but the problem with these is that they squash down too much. I would love something like this but in an adult size. These kids ones seem to be firm with just a padded bit on the top, but I can’t find anything like this in an adult size.
Quote: Originally posted by DaveS1 on 07/5/2024
Will raising you affect the efficacy of the airbag and seat belt?
DaveS1
Good question but I don’t think it would as it wouldn’t make me any taller in the seat than a tall man. My brother-in-law is 6’8 and his head is still a few inches from the roof of the car.
I just don’t understand why many/most cars don’t have height adjustable seats for the passenger, after all, these manufacturers build more left hand drive than right hand drive cars, so just leave the seats as they are for left hand drive. 🤷
My wife is only 5’, and along with other features, we do not even look at a car unless the passengers seat has height adjustment. I feel for you.
I have kia sportage. Same issue. The base models accross the range are the same. Range comes as numbers 1-4 then sportline. Lower the model the less you get
Quote: Originally posted by Devonatheart on 07/5/2024
I just don’t understand why many/most cars don’t have height adjustable seats for the passenger, after all, these manufacturers build more left hand drive than right hand drive cars, so just leave the seats as they are for left hand drive. 🤷
That's easy, cost.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
This has been raised time and time again on the Kia forum and originally people got the seat raised by companies that convert motors for people with disabilities, They raised them by 50 mm using steel spacers and bolting it in between the seat sliding rails and the floor mountings At one time the raisers were advertised for sale but I have not seen any recently but if you do a Google search you may find some or get a local engineeng company to make some for you.
Just found this many similiarhttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164166639293?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&ca........
Quote: Originally posted by birdman101 on 08/5/2024
This has been raised time and time again on the Kia forum and originally people got the seat raised by companies that convert motors for people with disabilities, They raised them by 50 mm using steel spacers and bolting it in between the seat sliding rails and the floor mountings At one time the raisers were advertised for sale but I have not seen any recently but if you do a Google search you may find some or get a local engineeng company to make some for you.
Just found this many similiarhttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164166639293?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&ca........
Post last edited on 08/05/2024 08:12:15
May be the safest and best solution, BUT, you'd have to inform your insurers, it'd be considered a modification from standard spec, and they WILL want to know about it and record it against the car details, or they may invalidate your insurance in a claim if uninformed! Hell, they can get upset about type approved things like towbars, and factory option accessories if not informed, let alone something knocked up in an ad-hoc fashion that may have a direct (unknown!) effect on occupants safety!
Extra 'ordinary' cushions are a VERY BAD idea! Puts you at risk of what in the motor industry is known as 'Submarining', whereby in an accident the extra padding (over and above what's already in the standard car seat which will have been tested and proved safe) compresses too much under the extra load of accident forces and allows you to slip under the lap section of the seat belt! Pixie you mentioned child seats having firm bases with just a little padding on top, that is done for this very reason, to minimise compressible 'padding', AND the child seat is anchored to the seat belt and/or Isofix mounts to stop it slipping as well! If you slip under the lap section of the seat belt you go under the airbag as well and end up a crumpled heap in the footwell! .... may even be thrown clear of the car once unrestrained by the belt - VERY messy, VERY undesirable! .... and the seat belt itself does some pretty grim things as it passes over your body! Hopefully not too graphic, but it's a serious risk situation.
Surprised there doesn't seem to be a decent approved version of a child seat type booster for small adults, I know a fair number of people who 'unwisely' boost the seat hight with cushions of some type. Plenty of Youtube type videos if you really want to see seat belt failures!
This is a problem young Auntie has with the driver seat on most cars. She finds it very difficult even with height adjustment to get a good view over the dashboard.
When she was looking last year to buy a small ev, they were all turned down just for that reason alone. Then I spotted a car in a Lidl car park and searched for a used one locally. Found one at 3 years old. Booked a test run. As soon as she sat in it, a big smile spread across her face. Exactly what she wanted.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Front Passenger Seat Height
via mobile 07/5/2024 at 11:50am
