Top 10 Cars for Avoiding RDS
Discover top tips from Helen O’Leary, expert physiotherapist, and the Cazoo team on how to avoid RDS, and which cars can help you do so.
The Cazoo editorial team
Published on 03 July 2025 | 2 mins read
If you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, you will probably have noticed how uncomfortable driving can become. Many drivers have even found themselves diagnosed with conditions related to driving discomfort or have had to give up driving altogether, while others rely on painkillers just to get through the journey.
Despite how common this problem is, many are unaware of the issue, or of what you can do to alleviate it. That’s why Cazoo has teamed up with Helen O’Leary, Director of Complete Pilates and expert physiotherapist, to create the Anti-RDS Guide, designed to help drivers discover the best cars and driving positions to keep motorists healthy and pain-free.
Keep reading to uncover the top models to avoid RDS, as well as top tips on how to avoid stiffness and pain.
Top 10 Cars for Avoiding RDS
Volkswagen Golf
Compact comfort meets clever engineering in the Volkswagen Golf. Renowned for its ergonomic design, this hatchback offers adjustable lumbar support that’s perfect for easing long-drive fatigue.
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Volvo XC40
With seats crafted by orthopedic experts, this compact SUV pampers your posture with adjustable lumbar support and a high seating position that reduces strain.
Range Rover
This more luxury model has multi-adjustable leather seats with built-in back support that feels more spa chair than SUV. It’s the go-to for drivers who demand top-tier comfort, or for those with pre-existing back problems.
Nissan Qashqai
Everyday ease meets ergonomic smarts in this car. Its well-contoured front seats come with ergonomic support that’s designed with real-world comfort in mind. It’s the perfect choice for those who want support without the fuss.
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BMW iX3
Where electric innovation meets classic driving joy, the BMW iX3 offers cruise control that’s as intelligent as it is intuitive. Its adaptive features adjust in real-time, giving you a seamless, hands-light driving experience.
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Ford Fusion
With available power lumbar support and roomy seating, this saloon makes daily drives continuously comfortable and perfect for those who drive more than average.
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Volkswagen ID.5
Equipped with intelligent adaptive cruise control, this electric coupe-SUV adjusts seamlessly to changing traffic, letting you relax for longer drives without concern for your strained posture.
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Audi Q8
This models’ sophisticated cruise control system uses adaptive technology which keeps you cruising smoothly while managing speed and spacing with impeccable precision. This means you can feel safe and in control without worrying about RDS.
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Tesla Model Y
Tech-savvy and future-focused, the Tesla Model Y makes cruising feel effortless. With advanced adaptive cruise control and Autopilot features, it takes the stress out of long drives.
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Ford Mustang Mach-E
This adaptive system makes every highway feel like a test track of smoothness and control. All-electric, all comfort—just press, set, and coast in style.
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Top Tips to Avoid RDS
Test driving is key: It has become the norm to test-drive a car for only a short amount of time, but that doesn’t allow for how much time you actually spend in your car. When looking for a new car, Helen recommends comparing the process to buying an ergonomic desk chair, or even a sofa. We prioritise comfort when searching for them, so why not in our cars?
Adjusting your seat: Now that it is so common to share a car, either with a spouse or another household member, we need to ensure that we always adjust the seat for our own bodies.
Helen adds, “We’re all different shapes and sizes, so if you drive a shared car, make sure to adjust the seat to your own body. Most modern cars allow you to adjust the seat exactly, so ensure you take time to set it correctly before each drive”Lumbar support: Adjusting your seat is always important, but especially so when thinking about lumbar support. Back pain is one of the most common forms of RDS, so it is important to adjust your seat to align with the natural curvature of your spine.
Helen also adds that as “our bodies can shift throughout the day, so you may need to adjust position on a long drive.”Take breaks: An obvious tip that many people don’t give enough attention to is taking a solid break during a long drive. Helen says, “No matter how great the car is, and how comfortable you feel, you need to give your body a chance to move and lubricate its own parts. It is also worth taking time to stretch in this break, as it can help to prevent any further stiffness.”
Cruise control: On long drives, this feature can be incredibly useful. Cruise control can allow you to relax your posture, easing strain and preventing the causes of RDS. This is particularly true for a part of your body you may not think of - “This will help reduce the chances of a sore and tired foot and ankle, particularly those muscles at the front of your shin.”
About Helen O’Leary
QUALIFICATIONS: Chartered Physiotherapist, BSc (Hons), CSP, HCPC, AACP.
Helen qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist from The University of Birmingham in 2008, and in 2010 she completed her Polestar Pilates Rehabilitation course and began to teach both mat and equipment Pilates. After spending three years in elite rugby, Helen quite literally packed up her bags and ran away to join the circus, accepting a position with Cirque Du Soleil in 2011. Helen spent the next three years travelling with the touring show ‘Alegria’. As one of only two Physiotherapists on the show, she taught Pilates as part of performer’s ongoing maintenance treatment, to prevent injuries and as part of active rehabilitation.
She is now the Clinical Director of Pilates at Complete Physio, a group of chartered physiotherapists and certified clinical Pilates instructors currently working in London, UK.