Skip to content

Comfort that fits everyday driving

Comfort that fits everyday driving

Reading room

A practical notebook for judging seats, visibility, controls and easy access. For drivers choosing a car for the life they lead now, not for a specification sheet they are expected to admire.

Coast and islands viewed from the Sky Road area
Coast and islands viewed from the Sky Road area. Flying jacket · CC BY-SA 3.0. Contextual photograph; not evidence of an event organised or a test conducted by this publication. Image resized.

Comfort that fits everyday driving

Check the driving position before the test route

A test drive tells little about comfort if the seat and steering position were never adjusted properly. Take the stationary part seriously. It is an opportunity to notice the controls without dividing attention between them and traffic.

Read the guide ↗
A lake and mountains beside the R344 in western Ireland
A lake and mountains beside the R344 in western Ireland. Lisa Harbin · CC BY-SA 2.0. Contextual photograph; not evidence of an event organised or a test conducted by this publication. Image resized.

Comfort that fits everyday driving

Judge visibility in a familiar parking situation

A clear view from a quiet forecourt may not reflect the places where you usually park. Think about your driveway, local shops and common junctions. Use a permitted, safe test route agreed with the provider.

Read the guide ↗
A rural road approaching hills near Leenaun
A rural road approaching hills near Leenaun. Lisa Harbin · CC BY-SA 2.0. Contextual photograph; not evidence of an event organised or a test conducted by this publication. Image resized.

Comfort that fits everyday driving

Controls you can understand without a demonstration

A feature is useful only when its operation makes sense to the person using it. Test the ordinary functions while parked. You are assessing the interface, not your ability to memorise a rapid showroom explanation.

Read the guide ↗
Coast and islands viewed from the Sky Road area
Coast and islands viewed from the Sky Road area. Flying jacket · CC BY-SA 3.0. Contextual photograph; not evidence of an event organised or a test conducted by this publication. Image resized.

Comfort that fits everyday driving

Make a short test drive more informative

A useful test drive has a purpose and a few observations to make. It is not an attempt to reproduce every possible journey. Agree the arrangements with the provider and keep attention on safe, ordinary driving.

Read the guide ↗