Doctors have advised me to stay off the roads, but this is not practical, especially now that more people are working from offices.
BHPian pyrotek recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
I currently drive a 2021 Hyundai Tucson and have recently suffered a bad hip (recovering from core hip decompression surgery) and been diagnosed with cervical spondylitis.
Doctors have advised me to stay off the roads but this is not practical especially with more office work happening now.My focus has shifted to getting the most comfortable car I can afford under 80 Lakhs.In fact, I am considering all body styles as I am wondering if a sedan would be a better fit than an SUV or a crossover.
Usage is around 1,000km per month, with 70% in the city and the rest on the highway.
We welcome recommendations from fellow Team BHP colleagues based on their own own own ownership and driving experiences.
To summarise, my priorities are:
Excellent ride quality, minimal roll and vibration, back, neck and under thigh support in front and rear seats, ergonomic comfort to rest left elbow/arm on center console while driving, light controls (steering, pedals)
Regarding this matter, GTO stated:
Pyrotech, we wish you a speedy recovery.
What’s wrong with your 2021 Tucson? Do you need to make any changes?
If yes:
You should also consider a chauffeured car if you need one for your comfort or recovery. If you do, sit in the passenger seat, which is much more comfortable than the back seat (seat adjustment, leg room, ride comfort). Rule out sedans. Crossovers and MPVs are your best bets. If you want a great car for half the budget, the Innova Hycross is a great option. If you lower the tire PSI in the city, the Ioniq 5 is also very comfortable, revealing its ergonomics and easy-to-drive nature. In the luxury car world, if you have a little extra room and size is no problem, the Q7 with its adaptive suspension is in a class of its own. As is typical of Audi, cars are heavily discounted. If size and price are an issue, test drive the Lexus NX. Turbanator says in their review that the ride is “outstanding.” Nothing can match the Lexus for refinement, reliability, or durability.
Commenting on the matter, BHPian Nishant345 said:
In my personal opinion, you should spend a little more and buy a Q7. It’s very comfortable thanks to the air suspension, it’s been on the market for a long time, so there are no potential bugs, and it’s also a great buy thanks to Audi’s frequent and attractive sales.
Alternatively, you could buy a Hycross/Camry or wait for the new Carnival which will be released soon.
Needless to say, you should try driving all of these cars because opinions are subjective and you should have your own opinion.
Regarding this matter, BHPian androdev said:
Drivetrain: EV and Hybrid + e-CVT provide the smoothest movement without any jerks. Avoid sporty dual-clutch (VW Group) and ZF8 (BMW) drivetrains.
Tyres: Change to the smallest possible wheel diameter and wider profile tyres. High speed handling will be compromised but ride comfort and NVH will be significantly improved.
Centre of Gravity: Sedans have minimal body roll and good NVH, provided you have no issues getting in and out of the car or sitting in the right position. The lower the GC, the better the ride.
Suspension: This is a very difficult aspect to judge. Japanese cars (Camry and Lexus) tend to have comfort oriented suspension that works well at low speeds. Air suspension is great but only available on larger and more expensive models. Adaptive suspension requires a test drive to test how comfortable the “comfort” setting is.
Seats: Good cushioning, all-around support, and range of adjustment. The front seats are better than the back seats in most cars.
With all this in mind, and assuming some compromises are necessary regardless of budget, we’d recommend a Camry Hybrid or a small-wheeled Lexus ES for primarily city use.
Commenting on the matter, BHPian Akshay1234 said:
The only car that comes to mind is the S-Class. The facelifted version of the W222 can be bought for under Rs 8 lakh and the rest can go towards maintenance. The downside is the image the S-Class gives people, which may not be what you want. Also, since it is not an SUV, you will have to drive very carefully and with more attention if the road conditions are bad. That said, the comfort is unmatched and will be tailored to your needs, especially.
As for SUVs, as many have suggested, the Q7 is a good choice. Spend a little more and you can get a new one at the current discounts. If not, maybe a used one. This one is also reasonably comfortable, has a good ride, and is better than the S-Class on rough roads.
Read what BHPians have to say for further insights and information.