OK look at the height differences between the two seats... Yes I know the drivers seat is pulled slightly forward.
Your standard of proof is much, much lower than my standard of proof. I think this photo only "proves": This engineering "mule" appears to have different seats than the current Prius. It does not prove: That this is the final configuration for the production car. That this will be the final configuration for the NA market (i.e. EU Prius gets an adjustable seat now, but NA Prius does not). Its a marketing issue, not an engineering issue.
For some reason, I can't see the picture, but does it show the seat at 2 diff heights? or just a comparison between the new Prius and the old? Maybe they have just chosen a new seat night?
That photo doesn't even prove that it is a Prius. I'll take it as an interesting comment, but nothing more. Tom
old 2002 Corolla did not have seat height adjustor and telescopic steering wheel for US Market, new 2009 Corolla has them both... I dont think it is odd to expect the both from Prius as well.
My 2007 Prius has driver seat height adjuster.... as all prius in Europe... This picture is taken from a European supposed 2010 prius (belgian licence plate). That doesn't mean that even if the european 2010 prius has Height adjustable seats that US prius will also have it.
Hasn't anyone here ordered a European seat bottom and switched it out yet? Assuming that it mates the the seat back and all you have to do is swap the upholstery?
The current seat design would require that you buy the complete seat frame (bottom and seat back) because it is staked and welded together. I priced the seat frame assembly once and for that kind of money (>$1900 USD for the US version IIRC) you would be better off buying a Recaro.
Is that the complete seat or just the frame? On my SC400 (also toyota), you can buy the entire seat for about $3000, or you can buy just the seat from for about $800 in which case you'd transfer the padding and leather over. Did you price out the minimum options just to get the seat frame only?
It was just for the frame, no padding or cover. The price for the cover was similarly exorbitant. Plus, you would need to order from the EU, Japan or AU and pay shipping from there to here.
Wow! That's amazing. The Prius seat frame is more than the Lexus seat frame. At the time, in 1995, the SC400 was the flagship car. Our window sticker says $58,000. That's probably $70,000 in 2008 dollars. And you're saying the Prius seat frame costs more? How many quotes did you get? I buy my Lexus parts mail order because some dealers add 2 to 300 % mark ups. I assume you got at least 3 or 4 quotes?
I got the quote from one of the discount OEM parts sources on the web. I tried a couple this afternoon, but I get N/A for the price now. Going back to your original question: I have not heard of anyone buying the seat part(s) from the EU, Japan or Australia to convert their non-adjustable seat into a height adjustable seat. You would need the complete seat frame and based on the figure that I saw for a replacement seat frame, I don't think it would be economically feasible.
If you are in North America there is no point ordering from Japan or Australia unless you want a height adjustable passenger seat. If I wasn't happy with my seat I'd get a Recaro.
