People tend to choose the same place to sit in a car
Where you choose to sit in the car could say more about your personality than you think according to research.
Two in five opt for the driver’s seat and a third admit they would rather travel by train than sit in the passenger seat of someone else’s car. Two in five claim they’d never sit anywhere except the front passenger seat.
The back seat is the preferred seat for a rare 7%.
Psychologist Dr Martha Newson said: “Where we choose to position ourselves on a road trip speaks to both our practical instincts and our social style. Some tend to crave control, like the Cruise Commanders behind the wheel, while others, like the adaptable Backseat Boss, lead from the sidelines. These patterns aren’t random – we tend to choose the same seat again and again because it gives us a sense of identity, comfort, or control. Whether it’s about literally being in the driver’s seat, emotional space, or a desire to stay in the background, our seat reflects how we navigate shared experiences. So the next time you share a car journey with others, it’s worth thinking about what your preferred seat might say about you and your fellow passengers, to help make for a memorable road trip this season.”
Only 1% of Brits choose the middle seat at the back as their preferred spot.
Naomi Walkland, CMO at Motorway, who conducted the research, said, “At Motorway, we know that cars are about more than just getting you from A to B. They enable so many of life’s magical moments, from school runs to summer road trips and staycations. As Brits prepare to pack their boots and hit the road this summer, we’re encouraging everyone to find out what their seat choice says about themselves and their fellow passengers – and it might even help everyone to enjoy the magic of their car ownership journey a little more.”
Personality type
What it says about your personality…
‘Cruise Commander’
Taking the wheel is so important that a third (31%) of drivers admit they would rather travel by train than sit in the passenger seat of someone else’s car. When it’s up to them, most Cruise Commanders prefer to avoid conversation, saying that a perfect playlist (32%) and watching the scenery go by (41%) are the highlight of their journey. More likely than others to see themselves as practical (51%), problem solvers (41%) and decisive (21%), Cruise Commanders are the ones calling the shots, guaranteed to make sure they’re the one behind the wheel for long shifts (26%)
‘Passenger Princess’
With two in five Brits claiming they’d never sit anywhere except the front passenger seat, Passenger Princesses prefer to be ferried around by their significant other (37%) or best mate (14%). While admitting that one of their favourite things about a road trip is letting someone else take care of the driving (24%), Passenger Princesses are not as hands off as we might think. Despite their reputation, they make for a perfect co-pilot for any Cruise Commander – and are the first to offer navigation support (27%) and make sure everyone has a snack (23%), in line with their people pleasing (26%) and overthinking (40%) tendencies.
‘Backseat Boss’
The preferred seat for a rare 7% of Brits who are often the most adventurous (27%) and spontaneous (20%) members of the car, and don’t hesitate to make every road trip their own. While they don’t want the responsibility of driving (28%) or navigating from the front (27%), they are some of the most social among us, with a quarter saying their go-to road trip activity is a long catch up with friends and family. As a social butterfly (14%) who adopts the role of the entertainer, it’s the Backseat Boss who is most likely the first to initiate a road trip game (28%), a car sing-a-long (17%), snap a selfie (19%) or sometimes even spend the journey meditating (15%).
‘Tranquil Traveller’
The master of peace and quiet, blissfully detached from any chaos up front. Opted for by 6% of Brits, Tranquil Travellers describe themselves as organised (43%) and calm (41%), and come prepared with noise-cancelling headphones or ear plugs (32%) and calming podcasts (12%) to keep their journey as peaceful as possible. Despite being in the back, Tranquil Travellers surprisingly say they get extra room in the backseat (48%), and prefer to hand over the responsibility of driving (28%) or directing from the front (27%) to others.
‘Middle Seat Mystery’
Chosen by only 1% of Brits as their preferred spot, with two in five Brits (39%) admitting to never having sat in the middle seat in their life. Despite it being a clear last choice, almost two thirds (62%) agree the middle seat is the social hub of the car, as the prime position to have conversations with everyone.
