THE driver still sits high in the Echo Sportivo models, with the hip point remaining 580mm above the ground for ease of entry and exit. The Sportivo front seats are, however, more heavily bolstered and use a good-quality Jacquard cloth trim that is no longer available on the base hatch models. Jacquard is still part of the power pack optional on the sedan. The front seatbelts are adjustable for height and both front seats have pretensioners, however, a force-limiting pretensioner on the passenger's side is only fitted when a second airbag is called for. The rear seating positions in the hatch models have head restraints, however, the centre-rear position misses out on a three-point seatbelt. Let's not forget just how versatile the rear bench seat is: it can slide fore/aft, split-fold 60/40 and tumble forward.