Wednesday, May 6, 2009

I love your car but the legroom sucks

There's a group of us who go out to lunch every day from my office, so we take it in turns to drive. Most of the cars are average runabouts but one guy has a beautiful red Audi A4 with full leather and the works. I love Audis - I'll defend them in any argument. But the legroom in the back of the new A4 leaves something to be desired. Actually - it leaves a lot to be desired.
What amazes me is how manufacturers will claim that a car has 5 seats when it clearly can only seat 4 people. The hump in the middle of the bench seat at the back isn't a seat at all. Worse, most cars have trouble sitting 4 normal people because of legroom problems in the back. Sure, technically you can fit 5 people, but not in anything resembling comfort. Realistically the average saloon car should better be described as a 2+2 - 2 adults plus 2 children. Alternatively, make the cars 20cm longer and use that 20cm as additional legroom for the rear passengers.