As you may have noticed from my other recent posts, I'm shopping for a new Prius. I have a weak back, so good lumbar support is very important to me. So far I haven't been able to find a Touring model and was wondering if the driver and passenger seats are more supportive in this new model than they are in the 'standard' 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.
Thanks for your feedback. I'm kind of bummed out after reading fshagan's informative reply because as much as I love the idea of a Prius, lack of good back (lumbar) support is a very important consideration. I was hoping that the Touring model would at least offer an enhanced driver-passenger seat option, but according to Per - not.
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!
