Better Seats in Touring Version?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pvsurfer @ Dec 10 2006, 12:43 PM) [snapback]360054[/snapback]</div>

I haven't looked at one, but everything I've read leads me to believe the interior is the same.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pvsurfer @ Dec 10 2006, 09:43 AM) [snapback]360054[/snapback]</div>

The seats in the Prius are pretty bad for someone with a bad back. I have a disc bulge (or herniation, waiting on the MRI results) at L5-S1, and the seats absolutely kill me on my drive to work (40 miles). I was close to giving up the car over it.

I found that the Prius upper seat back is too narrow, and the side bolsters push on my shoulder blades, forcing them forward and stressing the lower back. A standard lumbar support didn't correct this, but moving one up a few inches to the middle of the back did help. But most of them are too thick to place there, so for a while I used a folded towel. It worked, but would become uncomfortable after about 20 minutes.

I love the Prius otherwise, and wanted to find a solution to the problem. I tried out several back rests at a "Relax the Back" store, and found a solution that works for me ... the Obus Forme high back seat back support:

<div align="center"></div>

I have to move this up a bit, and the lumbar support is in the glove compartment, but it really makes the car more comfortable. I suspect if you are taller than me, it might not work as it moves you closer to the pedals. I'm only 5' 10" and I have the seat almost all the way back (and I tend to sit close to keep my knee bent more comfortably).

I would seriously consider renting a Prius and driving it at least an hour straight to see if this is the car for you. If I had known about this problem, I would not have bought the Prius for me.

 

The seats in the touring are just as bad as the ones in the "regular" version. No difference!

 

Is there anything that raises the seat height? I have a friend who's 4' 8", and could use something that could raise her seating level a little.

Otherwise, I've been using that lumbar support item they sell in the Dealership parts store. I like the side bolsters, but it's no Recaro.

 

I have a touring. AFAIK, there's no difference in the seats--only the wheels and suspension. My dealer added lovely high markup leather seats with liquicell technology to my Prius. They are more comfortable than those awful cloth seats. However, I doubt that they provided more support than the regular seats. You may want to consider aftermarketing the seats just like a lot of us have to aftermarket the speakers!