2009 is a Gen 2 Prius This is a Gen 4 thread and I am sure there have been enough changes for Gen 2 experience to be off-topic.
Actually Austin didn't do too bad with seats - we never got the Ambassador - but even the '60s 1800 were one of the best seats on the market at the time. Back seat as well. Had a few friends with them.
FWIW, I also find the seats to be terrible. I hope Toyota changes supplier in the future because their other seats are great.
My wife hated the seats on my 2011 VW TDI (I thought they were great and very comfortable for me). A few weeks ago she rode in the pleather luxury of my 2018 Prime for 750 miles and said the seats were very comfortable for her. They're OK for me as well, but I preferred the VW seats. There probably is not a car seat made that will be suitable for every possible driver or passenger. She is 5'4" and about 130 lbs, I'm 6'3" and 185. People come in all shapes and sizes.
What’s funny is, until about two months, I never really thought about seats. Mainly because I never had a vehicle (I’ve had lots!) where the seats bothered me enough to complain; sure some were better than others. Then I bought a new WRX. Awful seats! literally causing me significant pain. Long story short I was able to bail on it and buy an XSE Camry. Soo comfortable. I can sit in that car all day. Moral of the story, don’t buy a car that’s uncomfortable for you, even if you like everything else about it. iPhone ?
True, but I think some seats are definitely more comfortable for more people than others. Nissan makes very nice seats; they are too soft for me, but not uncomfortable. The Prius seats I feel are only designed for a small subset of people who are both small and prefer an upright posture.