Women Driving Large Sedans

When you see a woman driving a large sedan from the opposite lane, it’s not unusual to see little more than her head above the steering wheel. Her upper body is often almost completely hidden behind it. Sometimes she’s so hard to see that you might wonder, “Wait—is a child driving?” But can she really see the road properly from that position?

One day, I asked my husband, “Why do women driving large sedans sit so low, almost sunk into the seat? Can they actually see where they’re going?” His reply was:

You’re right—but you’re sitting low and slouched, too, even while you’re acting all high and mighty.

…Wait, what?!ヽ(ﾟДﾟ )！？

I insisted, “N-no, I can see just fine, and I’m not slouched down!” But apparently, like the other ladies, all you could see of me was my face. Then he added:

I bet most women driving large sedans just adjust the seat forward or back after their husbands have driven. But that’s not enough. You also need to adjust the seat height and the steering wheel’s reach. If you don’t know how to find the right driving position, you’re putting yourself in real danger.

…Driving position? I’d never even thought about it.

Then one day, I took the time to adjust my seat properly and realized I’d been driving hunched forward, almost sunk into the seat. Raising the seat gave me a much better view of the road and made the car significantly easier to drive. It wasn’t quite like sitting up in a Cayenne or Macan, of course, but I felt as though I was driving a car with a slightly higher ride height.

What Is the Correct Driving Position?

This video explains the fundamentals of a proper driving position in a clear, detailed way.

According to the video, it’s important to get your driving position just right before you start the engine. I used to turn the key without giving it a second thought—but it turns out there’s more to it. The video covers:

① The relationship between the steering wheel and your wrists
② Seat position that lets you operate the pedals comfortably
③ Steering wheel position for cornering
④ Where to place your hands on the steering wheel

With these details properly adjusted, you can drive correctly both through corners and on straight roads. It’s also important to be able to drive with your shoulders firmly against the seat. That way, you can use your shoulders as well as your arms to steer through corners, helping you stay stable and in control.

I decided to give it a try, and sure enough, driving felt easier. I’ve always thought a Porsche is easy to drive compared with other supercars, but finding the right position made it even more comfortable. The steering felt so precise that it seemed there wasn’t even a millimeter of slack.

Once I started paying attention to driving position, I noticed something else: when I spot a Porsche on the highway and get a quick look as it passes, most drivers seem to be sitting in this proper driving position.

That makes sense. A good driving position isn’t just important for enjoying the drive—it’s essential for safety, too. It’s something I’ve come to appreciate more and more.

(I later wrote a more detailed article about the key points of a good driving position ↓↓↓)

→ Related article: Finding the Right Driving Position for Women