To the many who find the seats uncomfortable, how did you resolve the problem? I've had my '06 one week and what I save in gas will be given to a chiropractor. This is the most uncomfortable vehicle I've ever been in. It is not noticeable in a few short test rides. My salesman said he was unaware of concerns with the seats, and I was beginning to think it was my imagination. Thank goodnes I found this forum, although maybe a little too late. I would be willing to retrofit the seats (you guys got real technical (but helpful) in explaining how and where this was done. But I'm not sure if it is only the issue of the seat's distance (or lack of), or the height adjustment (or lack of), the seat angle, position of the steering wheel, lack of thigh support, or some combination of all. Have those who are in agreement just gotten use to any or all of these issues? Can anyone help me with these questions?
I don't think there will every be any universal agreement on the cause of the seat being uncomfortable other than the fact of its lack of adjustability. This is b/c each of our anatomy is different and those with long legs will have different problems than those with back problems, and those with long torsos and short legs... For me I find everything about it fine except for the lack of thigh support at the front of the seat...I've pretty much managed to get around that by using a wedge shaped cushion with the thick end at the front. It raises me up slightly in the seat and doesn't look OEM, but it has worked out fairly well as a solution for me. Also, if I had my 'druthers' I'd like the seat to go back another 2 inches...there's plenty of room back there and it would just about eliminate the thigh support issue for me b/c my leg would be more horizontal to the floor that it is up closer where I have to keep my knee bent upward a bit.
What about retroing a new seat to replace the old ones in front? Did/do they offer lumbar support systems? I only find my legs go to sleep on long trips.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BadD @ Sep 2 2006, 03:53 PM) [snapback]313151[/snapback]</div> hi there i am 6 - 3 and love the prius . what i do when you have the seat all the way back then click back adjustment back a couple clicks and that helps a lot. i have a bad back and this helps tremendously! try it. pete
I've been wondering if those seat covers from Hawaii, the Wet Okole (sp?) would add enough cushioning to be a help. I think the seats could have used a little extra padding - it's one reason I'm considering the seat covers.
Thanks to all who replied. Any other suggestions, out there? These "trial and error" solutions can be quite costly and time consuming, so I'd love to narrow down the problem. I think it is the thigh issue (for me).
As priusguy04 suggested, you remove the seat and replace it with a Recaro. You have to add a resistor to fool the computer into thinking you still have a side airbag. darelldd added lumbar support (and heat) for about $200. I don't have a problem with the seats (other that having power seats would be nice), but I rented a Prius for 2 weeks to see how it would feel.
I use a seat cushion with 10 variable speed motors and heat; it plugs in to the 12v outlet. Cost $14.99 US dollars.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Joe Mama @ Sep 4 2006, 09:17 AM) [snapback]313948[/snapback]</div> What is the name of it and where did you get it? <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Sep 3 2006, 10:42 AM) [snapback]313488[/snapback]</div> Very helpful, thanks. Still not sure if this is the problem. Basically, my legs ache and almost numb. Any physical therapist Prius drivers out there?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Sep 2 2006, 07:15 PM) [snapback]313248[/snapback]</div> Hey - just got one of those. My Dad had it in his car and hated it - so he left at my house Labor Day weekend. It seems to work OK if it is up off the seat a little BUT it gives me even less leg room. I am only 5' 11" so that isn't normally an issue. It also wrinkles my suit jacket big time.
How are you built? For me the seats are fine, but I'm 5'7" and 140lb. If you give us a few more details others with similar builds can help. Tom
Try 5' 11" and 270lbs. Atleast i can fit in the Prius unlike the s2000 that Was my dream car... till i sat in one...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Sep 6 2006, 02:16 PM) [snapback]315335[/snapback]</div> I'm about your size, but this car makes my legs numb. I used two different cushions. Neither helped. Do these seats have less padding than others? Is the depth of the seat too short? Others have mentioned lack of thigh support, but I don't know what exactly that means. I'm seriously considering selling. Have people sold on this forum?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BadD @ Sep 6 2006, 08:25 PM) [snapback]315570[/snapback]</div> I've tried a couple of different things, and the mesh lumbar support Godiva pictured seems to be the best ... but I can only use that for about half my commute. I think the seats are too narrow, with the seat "side bolsters" that people are calling "thigh support", I guess, too close in. Or perhaps its the angle of the seat bottom, and the lumbar support mimics a change in seat angle by pushing me forward. I found the seats more comfortable than the Camry seats, and the only thing close was the Matrix in this class of car (I think they may be the same seat). I'll have to try a couple of the other suggestions here. As it is now, I'm almost crippled from my sciatica by the time I finish my 40 mile commute each way (to be fair, nearly any car seat for an hour would be bad, but when I was on vacation and had a rental car with 6-way adjustable power seats, I was able to change the angle of the seat, the back, the distance to the pedals, etc., and drove a straight 6 hours without too much trouble.)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Sep 3 2006, 08:42 AM) [snapback]313488[/snapback]</div> I did, and I LOVE the adjustable lumbar. Before doing that, I bought the cool mesh support that others have mentioned. Worked OK, but I didn't like how it would move around and it was a bit of a struggle for me to get into the seat and get comfortable - yank it up into position, etc. Once I got the adjustable lumbar into the proper location, it is DREAMY. Just returned from a 1500 mile trip, and I was the most comfortable I've likely ever been on a trip of that length. Being able to change the firness as you drive is awesome. I rarely leave it in one place for more than half an hour. Not been cold enough yet for the heaters!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fshagan @ Sep 6 2006, 10:32 PM) [snapback]315572[/snapback]</div> I think you are right on the narrowness and side bolster and, for me, about an inch or so to close. I have the same pain with even less driving. So besides the lumbar support, you are just dealing with the pain. I really like this car, but is driving in pain worth it?
I agree that the seats are less than ideal. My main issues are thigh support and lumbar support. My car is currently at the upholstery shop, and I am getting it back tomorrow. I believe that most of my complaints will be resolved. They built me some thick foam thigh support, and then put custom "leather" covers over it. The material is stiffer and less forgiving than the cloth, which I think will address my lumbar discomfort. I am planning on starting a post to show the process (with pictures) once I get the car back and try it out for a while.
Please let me know how this turns out. I am thinking of doing the same thing and am afraid of making the problem worse since I don't know the main source of the problem to begin with. Did your legs hurt in the original seat?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BadD @ Sep 7 2006, 10:19 PM) [snapback]316148[/snapback]</div> It's not so much my legs hurt, I just like the seat bottom to tip back a lot to support my legs. I'm 5'11, and I've found most cars, even with power seats, don't tip back as much as I would like. I'm getting the car back this afternoon, and I'll let you know how it turns out.