Cheap Seats

Q: We’ve had higher-end cars for 16 years, but a change in circumstances requires us to downshift into moderate or lower-end cars. We’re test driving a few, and I find most are acceptable in most ways except that the seats are back-breakingly awful. My husband says that’s just the way it is when you leave a higher category, and I’ve got to get used to it. If all moderate cars are identically uncomfortable, I’ll just give up and approve whatever he wants. Should I? A: No. It’s true that when a manufacturer is constructing higher-end cars more attention is paid to and put more effort (money) put into seats and seat design. But not all lower-end vehicles are really awful on the comfort scale (and not all of us would find a particular seat design equally bad). I’ve had many low-end cars as rentals, and all have been acceptable (if not wonderfully embracing) but for the Chevrolet Sonic I’m renting now while my car is having hail damage repaired. This car is so crippling uncomfortable for me (though others might not find it as hideous) I’m avoiding going anywhere. The angled pitch of both the seat and the back are so out of sync with any position I can force myself into I’m using two memory foam pillows to attempt some semblance of comfort. There is a continuum of seat comfort (that’s very personal) no matter the vehicle price point. Don’t give up. Comfort is important, not just for your body, but for safety reasons. If he’s stuck on one make that offers a few models, shove him into a different make. Keep working through the list of affordable cars. You’ll find something. Q: We’re combining families soon and need an SUV that can seat nine (some of the children are young/small). Does any such thing exist? A: Sure. Check out the Chevy Tahoe. You can get it equipped to seat nine. It’s not cheap. You’ll spend $47,000-plus for the basic version. And the combined mpg is about only about 18. Reviewers who have driven it are mostly fairly positive: good headroom, decent legroom in the third row, optional power seats in second and third rows, and pretty quiet. What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.