Is a Berlingo B9 OK for a short driver?

[jasonberlingo]

Hi everyone. Great to find this wonderful forum... I'm in Sydney AU, and I'm about to purchase a 2014 B9 for my sister, who lives hundred of kms away in the bush. She's quite short - like around 5'2" I think. Will she be comfy in the Berlingo? Or will she need a cushion to help her get the clutch to the floor? Any advice from shorties appreciated!

[Jehu40]

My sister in law drives one. She's 5'4. The best thing is for her to sit in one - if there's a showroom not too far, or she sees someone with one who'll be accomodating.

[Gryffindor]

If you're in a fairly populated area, look out for someone on the sidewalk (male or female) about your sister's height and offer them a few dollars to sit in the B9 for you. Or put an ad online or on social media. You might want to get the dealer's okay first, though probably not because it might generate a sale.

A test drive shouldn't be needed - just get them to check the reach to the pedals, controls etc., and visibility of windows and mirrors, and bonnet height. If the seat belt anchor heights are adjustable in the B pillars, try that too.

Have a decent cushion with you anyway for the person to try - if the test is borderline or difficult to call without one, then adding one will prompt a definite yes/no there and then. Try a garden centre for a patio table set chair seating pad - they are shaped more like 'seat height extensions' being flatter and squarer looked at from above, less like rounded cushions, and are more rugged.

Sorry I can't hep you directly - I've got an M59 and I'm 6'5". The Berlingo is one of the few cars I can fit in!

[Sol]

The driver's seat is fully adjustable for height, rake and reach. As is the steering column. So you can have the seat set to where she can reach the pedals easily and bring the steering wheel to meet her there.

I'm sure she would get it to the point where she needs to be. Reach the pedals and see out of the window at the same time eh, not too hard on one of these.

I'm about 5'8 and I never find it a stretch to drive. And it's comfortable even on long runs. The seats are great and you're sitting up naturally, not laid out horizontally like in a lot of cars.

[maidon]

Hi,  I’m about 5ft 1,  I didn’t take a test drive when I got my car a few years back,  I wish I had.  But in saying that I think it might have put me off so maybe glad now I didn’t.  It took me a bit of time to get used to the car.  I had a cushion at first but didn’t like it.  you can adjust the height of the seat but not too much.

[Sol]

It goes all the way up if you get off it first, and pull the front left ring lever. If you pull the height adjuster while sitting there, it doesn't move much.

[Matt Haigh]

Adjusting the seat height affects the reach as the seat moves upward and forward in an arc, so get the seat height to where you want it first, then adjust the seat fore and aft and finally move the steering wheel into desired position. There's a good range of adjustability, good luck.

[Gryffindor]

I hope you can find someone in Sydney who can test the seat for you. Don't suppose your sis could make the journey to you?