Buying a new car for a short driver

What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Buying a new car for a short driver

As my wife is only five feet in height and of slender build it is difficult to find a suitable, safe car to drive because she sits so close to the airbag. If the airbag was deployed it is likely to cause her serious injury or even death. In the 1960’s/early 70’s she drove a NSU Prinz 2 and apart from not having an airbag it was a car with excellent all round visibility, which is lacking in most modern cars of today.

Can you please suggest a suitable car of today, which has reasonable all round visibility and with a driving position that does not require the driver to be pressed against the airbag?

Asked on 28 May 2013 by Jed7777

Answered by Honest John

My ex-wife is 4' 11" and always sat a sensible distance from the steering wheel by having the seatback in a suitable semi-reclined position. She drove a Toyota Yaris based automatic. It is easier for shorter drivers to sit sensible when driving automatics.

Tags: automatics buying new cars

Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:

Similar questions

Is the new Yaris a 'proper' automatic?

Is the new shape Toyota Yaris a 'proper' automatic rather than an automated manual?

Is the new Citroen EAT6 automatic gearbox any good?

I am thinking of buying a new Citroen Picasso with the 130PS petrol engine and automatic gearbox. Is it a true auto gearbox (torque converter) or similar to the EGS on my previous Picasso?

Which petrol crossover for town?

Which new automatic petrol crossover with good MPG? I do about 3000 miles a year, all town driving. Can spend up to about £30,000.

Related models