I can't remember the reason you changed now but what about another Sportage?

Sorry just seen your reason. But does it have to be a new one?

Edited by Xileno on 03/11/2021 at 19:44

Take a lengthy test drive in a Vauxhall Grandland X.

I had the pleasure of running one for two years on a 24 month personal contract hire. It was a 1.2 litre turbo petrol with a six speed manual gearbox. Speaking from my own personal experience I found it to be an absolute joy both to drive and to ride in with comfortable seats that you moved sideways onto as opposed to falling down in to like some cars.

Unfortunately the restrictions placed upon us all during the pandemic prevented me from using the car as much as I would have liked to have done.

Size-wise, I would think it compares to the Sportage that you are clearly missing.

I was impressed with the seats in the Skoda Karoq when I test drove it a while ago - this also has a highish seating position. Obviously seat comfort is subjective.

There is also the Kamiq but myself wouldn't recommend as basic car functions such as climate control are operated by the central touch screen.

I've never driven an XC40 yet but Volvo have fabulous seats - touch screen again though.

[EDIT] Possibly not - Karoq seems to have vanished on most of the usual broker sites.

Edited by Big John on 03/11/2021 at 22:06

Is it possible to change the seats for something better? Either aftermarket seats like Recaro or perhaps you could get decent second hand seats from another brand such as Volvo. Whether they would fit or not I don't know but perhaps some one on here has done something similar and can advise. Another possibility would be to see if a motor trimmer can do something to modify the seats. There is also the old fashioned low tech solution of a back cushion although I expect that you may already have tried that.

My back and hips are complaining loudly abot the seating position in the stonic, which is otherwise faultless, although not as softly sprung as the Sportage.

Reluctantly, we are parting company, and in the current market have had a superb offer for it.

Maybe seats in a new car feel less comfy than a well run-in one. Something 5+ years old ? :-)

My back and hips are complaining loudly abot the seating position in the stonic, which is otherwise faultless, although not as softly sprung as the Sportage.

Reluctantly, we are parting company, and in the current market have had a superb offer for it.

What to go for. ???

New sportage only hybrids available at silly prices, as for most other makes.

Must be high seating as per sportage. petrol manual..and comfy.

And yes, hold hands up.. messed up.

Ouch, both personally and from a wallet perspective. What exactly was wrong with the Sportage that you got rid of that in under a year? I thought you really liked it?

To add to the suggestions for similar sized cars - how about the Mazda CX-30? I'm not sure whether the upper spec models can have 16in rims & corresponding 60 profile tyres as a no-cost option (worth asking), but worth checking if you were thinking (generally) of going for a top-spec model. Decent boot size too at around 430L.

TBH the mid-spec SE-L Nav/SE Lux is normally a very good value for money car across all Mazdas with a decent amount of kit and normally comes shod on sensible wheels and tyres.

The Skyactiv-G is ok performance-wise, but the Skyactiv-X is the better engine all-around, and is still nippy (even if it needs a reasonable amount of right foot) using their (smooth) TC auto if you want one as well without the downside on potential reliability issues with non KIA DCTs. The looks are also growing on me as well - very nice interior too. Lovely in the (expensive) red colour.

None are what I'd call 'cheap' though, especially with the current global situation and no 7yr warranty (just 3) like the KIAs.

Hi,sorry to hear of your dilemma, l have the gt- line with the 17 in wheels and so far so good,have you thought about a good quality seat booster cushion?

I (literally) feel your pain having had to sell my Superb after 18 months as it was causing leg pain.

I went for a V60 on the basis that reviews often speak of the seat comfort in any Volvo and indeed, the seats are very comfy.

I'm not sure what the Volvo equivalent is to the Stonic but a quick look on Autotrader would suggest that the XC40 is the only option as the XC60 looks like it is auto only.

If you can forgo the manual requirement, possibly a CHR hybrid might suit? We find ours to be a very pleasant way of getting from A to B. Ours runs on 18" wheels and yet comfort is high, would probably be even better on the 17's that come with Icon spec models.

The big advantage, being automatic, is that as there is no clutch pedal to pump, you can use the footrest pedal to support yourself in the seat and keeping your posture right. I can get back pain sometimes when driving if I slip in the seat whilst driving my own car (leather is damnable for this), because I need my right foot for clutch control. I've never had this issue in the CHR however.

Prices do seem a bit high at the moment, but as you get up to 10 years warranty (15 for the battery), from a manufacturer renowned for reliability, it could well be the last car you ever need. Got be worth a test drive at least.