Second opinion
Update We’re sitting comfortably in our big SUV
“It’s tough to disagree with Hugo’s point that an Ibiza is a better buy, but if you’re dead-set on a small SUV, you can’t go far wrong with the he Arona. It’s spacious, stylish and good to drive.” ve.”
SEATS are one of the most overlooked parts of any new car. It’s not helped by most dealer test drives lasting less than an hour, so the first time buyers can tell if their seats offer enough support, or are a pain in the proverbial, is after completing the maiden long journey.
Fortunately for me, the front seats in my Grandland X have been certified by Germany’s Campaign for Healthier Backs. It assesses seats on criteria such as the firmness of the foam, a supportive and well-padded backrest, individual seatback adjustment, base and seat materials, and the ability to ensure the driver isn’t too hot or cold. So far, only some models from Vauxhall, Mercedes, DS, Hyundai, Peugeot and Volkswagen, plus some Recaro seats, have accreditation.
My Grandland X is a 2018 model, so the seats were a £425 option but, as part of a series of spec tweaks for 2019 cars, they’re now standard on Tech Line Nav and Sport Nav versions.
Over the past 1,500 miles, I’ve made a few long journeys and the seats’ accreditation holds water. On a round trip from Essex to Wiltshire and back, I got out of the car without aching, and I’ve had no complaints from passengers.
The seat adjusts in 16 ways – twice as many as the standard versions – which means it takes a while to set up. Extending the seatbase to provide extra thigh support feels odd initially, but it’s well worth experimenting with because it makes a difference. However, where two or more people drive, the myriad adjustment options could mean it takes a while to regain the optimum set-up each time.
The driving position is aided by pedals that are well placed, and a steering wheel that adjusts for reach as well as rake.