Choosing a car for a tall driver

Choosing a car for a tall driver is not as simple as it usually seems to a person of average height. <br> Cars are fast and cheaper than ever before. The affordability is caused by mass production all over our planet. However, this happens at the expense of variety and all cars are therefore designed for the average population. A <b>tall</b> or a short person thus has a big problem. A short driver is hidden behind the steering wheel. A tall driver already has a problem just getting into the car.

Problems of use for tall drivers

If the needs of a tall driver are not taken into account, various problems arise. Some problems seem trivial to an uninitiated person. But they often significantly reduce safety or can even cause health problems.

A frequent problem for a tall driver is a significantly restricted view out of the vehicle. The extent of the restricted view is considerably influenced by the overall shape of the bodywork and the pillars — specifically the width and rake of the front pillar. Poor visibility significantly increases the risk of failing to see cars and pedestrians! And thus increases the possibility of an accident.

For a tall driver, a lot of cars are absolutely small unsuitable. Even cars into which the driver seemingly fits in fact have many problems. In such a car the driver often has to put the seat right down low. The leg then forms an unhealthy sharp angle at the knee. On top of that, the steering wheel gets in the way of the driver's knees to a greater or lesser extent, and he therefore has to splay his knees out to the sides unnecessarily. The overall bad position of the lower limbs is completed by the feet: because the driver has to push his knees out to the sides, the shins point inwards and consequently the foot, in order to reach the accelerator pedal, has to be twisted extremely unnaturally at the ankle.
The problem is often aggravated by a wide centre console, which gets in the way of the shin when trying to move the leg further to the right.

In older vehicles, where the steering wheel was larger and the gear lever long, it was even worse. While the steering wheel got in the way of the legs, the right leg got in the way when changing gear.

This bad position of the lower limbs causes poor blood circulation in the legs, worsens the driver's reactions and can even cause cramp in the leg. It is better not to think through what else can happen.

As far as computing is concerned, it is advantageous to choose a good-quality, efficient and user-friendly operating system. To pay attention to good placement of the monitor and to have a good-quality chair. When choosing a car, too, it is advantageous to choose with good sense. Because probably nobody wants to end up dead or with health problems.

The needs of a tall driver

A tall driver has to bear in mind that the car must be suitable for his tall build. Suitability always needs to be really tried out by sitting in the car. Everything needs to be carefully verified: the view, enough room mainly for the legs and their natural movement, and the overall comfortable seating position when driving.

Criteria

Choosing a suitable car is just as complicated and necessary as choosing a bike, or rather its frame.

Height

The first criterion is the height of the car. In a low car you can never achieve a high seating position, which allows a good view and provides room for the legs. The ideal seating setup is when the seat is moved upwards. Then the legs can stretch out and the knees do not have to form a sharp angle. It often happens, however, that in order for the long legs to fit under the steering wheel or the driver's head to fit into the car, the seat has to be put down instead, which is wrong! Moving the seat all the way back goes without saying.

Shape of the windscreen

In cars with a heavily raked windscreen it is often hard to see out. Mostly the view is obstructed by the side pillar, but also by the roof, which from the upper part continues smoothly downwards towards the windscreen, instead of the glass continuing all the way up to the roof.

Suitable car models for a tall driver

I have tried out several cars, although even more remain.

Škoda 120 is absolutely unsuitable, because of the large steering wheel and the long gear lever. It is also necessary to remove the centre console with the radio.

Škoda Felicia is already somewhat better, but unusable for a driver taller than 190 cm.

Ford Sharan (Seat Alhambra) seems to be usable with compromises.

Citroen Xsara is a spacious car for an ordinary driver, but given the height of the car it is not suitable for a tall driver. Nevertheless, a tall driver can fold himself into such a car and, out of necessity, can manage short journeys.

Škoda Fabia and Octavia are not kind to a tall driver either. Compared with the Fabia, the Citroen Xsara is perhaps already better.

Dacia Docker: this car shocked me by the fact that in 2015 the manufacturer produces a model without steering wheel adjustment. For a surcharge it is possible to buy a version with adjustment, but only in one axis :-O.

New modern cars, where the manufacturer does not skimp and the steering wheel is adjustable in two axes, are the most suitable choice. Sometimes even a small car surprises you with space for a tall driver too.

Volkswagen Transporter T4 is a very spacious car, including for the passengers. Only the versions with a double seat next to the driver are miserable. The view out of this car is excellent. The seats are high and therefore there is room under the steering wheel for the legs, which can thus be placed naturally on the pedals. The T4 model I used, however, did not have an adjustable steering wheel, which would then probably have provided ideal conditions for creating room for the legs. However, this car is intended for transporting loads or a lot of people, so it also has higher fuel consumption and overall it is unnecessary for transporting one person or for transporting two racing cyclists.

I was very taken by the Citroen Berlingo, which is also produced as the Peugeot Partner, Opel Combo and Renault Kangoo. The car is produced in a two-seater version for transporting small loads or in a five-seater passenger version — it is in fact an estate. The car is fitted with diesel or petrol engines and has low fuel consumption.
The car is 1.8 metres tall, the view out of it is good and the pillars do not obstruct the view. The steering wheel is adjustable in one axis. Models from 2008 onwards may have a steering wheel adjustable in two axes as well.
The Berlingo is a very popular car and is often bought as a family car with a petrol engine. Even so, it can still transport a larger amount of luggage. With the rear seats folded down it is also possible to transport bicycles comfortably.

It is not a snobbish car at all and so it is affordable. Thanks to how widespread it is, the Citroen Berlingo can often be bought second-hand and thus becomes a hot candidate for a tall driver.
The car has a wide range of uses. The owner will use the car as a driver for his own transport, or can take passengers, or carry loads in the car, or drive to cycling races with it.

The Berlingo is on the second-hand market in several models. The model up to 2003 has flat headlights, the 2004–2008 model has bigger and rounder headlights. From 2008 a model with completely differently shaped bodywork is produced, so with that one I have concerns about how well you can see out of the car. It also has a wide centre pillar, which can get in the way of the legs.

It goes without saying that you should buy a car from a non-smoker; smoking harms not only the smoker but also the surroundings, in this case the car.

As you can see, there is still room for improvement. It is precisely in these cases that there is demand which the car manufacturers absolutely overlook.

I wish everyone a safe and calm drive.