Any recommendations for a car which is comfortable with hip/back problems

Funny you posted this as I am about to start looking for a Qashqai as I love the high driving position and I can get in and out with my Arthritic hips...I don't mind a bigger car.

How about this www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/ford/b-max/ It has a high driving position and isn't large...

Thanks Tanith. I love my qashqai, highly recommend it! I'm passing on the link to the b-max. It looks like a great start

Unfortunately, most of the smaller hatchbacks are lower to the ground so a small crossover might be more suitable. The smaller, higher cars that might be suitable are Mini Countryman, Suzuki SX4, Fiat 500L and slightly bigger are Suzuki Jimny, Ford Ecosport, Renault Captur, Vauxhall Mokka, and the Qashqai. Ford B Max is also higher but still has the 'car' look. Hope your Mil finds something to suit her.

Wow! Thanks Katek, that makes a great starting point for researching what she wants to test drive. Thank you!

KateK Are you female?! How the flip do you know all that about cars!

You could also suggest an automatic. I have arthritic knees and on/off back problems and I wouldn't go back to manual gears.

Flippin 'eck, jingl. Some of us useless females know quite a bit about cars!

I don't drive , know less than nothing about cars , so feel very qualified to recommend a Nissan Note , OH drives this and I can get in easily with my very painful bursitis ..............

Yes Jings, I am!! I like/need a slightly higher car myself so I'd done a bit of research last year. DH is also a car fiend and I'm made to suffer Mr Clarkson et al on a regular basis and i can't get into the garage for bits of car!

Agree with the automatic Merlot-drove a manual for 40 years and then got my first automatic. Couldn't go back to manual now.

What about a Nissan Juke. My friend's mother has one, she loves it. She swapped her Qashqai for it because the all round visibility was better, plus it is a little smaller. Or, what about a van eg. The Renault Kangoo, or a Citroen Berlingo. We had a Kangoo for a few years. It carries five people and is easy to get in and out of with a dicky hip, you don't have to use it as a van. DH would love another one. We now have a Vauxhall Zafira, which is probably too big for your MiL.

Thanks everyone. Yes, she is planning to go to an automatic. Everyone I know who has changed to an automatic says they wouldn't go back .
I don't think MIL would go for the berlingo etc as it is too big.
She does transport her wonderfully beloved grandchildren round <wink at MIL who I have sent a link to this thread to> sometimes so she still needs two seats in the back but lots of boot space isn't vital.

Some years ago we had one of the first Smart Cars and I was really surprised at the space inside. The doors are quite large therefore plenty of space to get in and out (more so than our current car). I loved the Smart Car was really upset when it went. Brilliant for parking as it was so short.

Get one of these.
www.medesign.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=BFSWeb

It can certainly make a poor car seats a lot more comfortable.

I cannot travel in or drive a car without one, or sit at cinemas etc.

Following an occaisional ride in a posh car, I have found that the softer seats there offer less effective support for backs and hips.

Whilst car shopping over the last few years I have found some cars are better than others to get a good upright sitting position.

Even with the back friend, Peugeot and Citroen car's seating particularly uncomfortable but we all have slightly different back problems.
I have a Renault Clio, which seems OK

No minis or Fiat 500s.

Forgive me for advertising GNHQ I have no financial interest other than needing to be able to buy my next one when this one wears out.

A friend with dodgy knees has just bought a Nissan Note, she loves it.
We have recently got a Vauxhall Meriva after having a corsa for 6 yrs.
It looks a much bigger car but the dimensions are very similar. I love the hight.

My son has a Picasso which is very comfortable and roomy. Bit of a climb up into the seats though. I have a bad back and feel very OK when traveling in it. but not so comfortable when wedged between two grandkids in their safety seats.

It's all very well being comfortable and of course very important. But I would want reliability and economy as well. Just a thought! x

MY DH had a Skoda and when my back was hurting I found the front seat very comfortable.

I sat in it with a nasty ham string injury and felt OK. It was economical and reliable and although it was an old model parts were quite easy to obtain.

I have a Hyundai i10 which is not big but is higher. I have had knee problems and find it comfortable and easy to get in and out. It is also automatic.

I wasn't keen on the Juke because the rear visibility isn't that great and the so called "suicide" doors on the Meriva can be a little awkward. NellieM-the Mini and the 500 I mentioned aren't the small ones, they're bigger, higher versions of the base model. In fact you can get the Mini Countryman in 4 x 4 version if this is a consideration. The other one I forgot to mention is the Honda Jazz, it's actually higher off the ground than you might think. It depends whether OP's mil wants a car, crossover, small 4x4 or an MPV.

We love our Qashquai too and I have arthritis in the spine but the next one down the Juke may have a similar structure and be small enough for her needs.

The Honda Jazz is a very good car in that (and every other) respect. Very easy to get in and out of. We have a Civic and it is a nightmare for me. I've been in potholes that we're easier to get out of than the Civic and to add insult to injury, DH has just ordered another one! The seats are very comfortable and supportive though.

I agree with Greyduster and Katek. I love my Honda Jazz because it is higher than some other small hatchbacks. Since a previous shoulder injury I have changed to the really smooth automatic CVT version, and would never go back to a manual gearbox. I intend to stick to a Jazz for the remainder of my driving years!
I hope you find something suitable for your MIL.

I loved my Jazz but decided against a second one. Nothing to do with the car but I'm never as happy with a second version of the same car. The other fab little car which might be suitable is the original Mercedes A class. You can't get this design new anymore but should be able to get a good second hand one. The new A class is a totally different animal.