Hi Rachel. Firstly, I’m so sorry to hear of your new diagnosis which, on top of your existing issues, is undoubtedly a great frustration for you. I can’t answer your question as to the suitability of the car, but can answer the questions about specification changes and changing circumstances.
It is indeed true that the spec has changed since the 2018 model and a few things have been removed. However, considerably more things have been added (around £2,500 worth when I totted it up), so overall it’s a far better car equipment wise than it was 3 years ago. Plus, of course, the 2020 facelift improved interior trim quality and overall appearance, although it lacks the digital dashboard that newer models have (an all new model is due out later this year, but may not even make it onto Motability the way that things are going).
The rear seats no longer have the adjustable seat base and remote fold, but the rear seat back angle is still adjustable. My wife has a wheelchair and we can get it in the boot even with the rear seat backs reclined, which we couldn’t do in our previous Tiguan unless we rolled the rear seats forward. The X1 also has a massive and deep ‘second boot’ under the boot floor which isn’t included in the stated cubic square metres. Again, we had no such addition in the Tiguan. So, size and usage wise, the boot is fantastic and the seat backs are dead easy to drop down manually and no harder than putting them back up manually which, keep in mind, you still have to do in cars with remote folding!
The standard front seat has indeed changed, but for the better. It’s now slightly bigger and gives a bit more support, but it isn’t great TBH. However, to get extendable under thigh support you have to have the Sports Seats (which we opted for) and that was also the case in 2018, so nothing has been lost there. Lumbar support is an option on both standard and sport seats. I don’t think it was standard in 2018 either but I’m not 100% sure of that – someone else may confirm.
We have a rear view camera on our X1 but it came as part of an option pack that we added. It isn’t standard. The all round parking sensors are excellent though, as is the self parking feature.
Obviously none of us can say whether or not the car will be suitable for you, but I have no doubt that if you take delivery and find that it’s not suitable for you then Motability will allow you to terminate early and order something else. They are very accommodating about things like this, especially as you now have new and additional health issues. Others on this forum have managed to get early terminations for far less worthy reasons.
Given the appalling choice on the scheme at present, in your situation I would definitely take delivery of the car and see how you get on with it. You never know, it might be fine. If not, call Motability and explain that it’s problematic. Just keep in mind that almost all cars will take a very long time to come now and there is nothing left on the scheme now that is even close to what you currently have on order IMHO.