Seat comfort

I'm not that tall (5'8") and I find the seats to be comfortable, although I do wish there were more adjustments available. I have had back problems in the past and usually when I change cars it takes my back a while to adjust. I usually end up with back spasms recently after getting a different car. So far the Prius has been pretty good. I guess I am the exception on the seat issue. Maybe the bad back compensates for the awkward seating.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BadD @ Sep 7 2006, 10:19 PM) [snapback]316148[/snapback]</div>

Well, I got my car back and am very happy. The seats are much more comfortable, though I'm not crazy about how they look. Sometime soon when I get a chance I'll take some pictures and make a post about the process.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BadD @ Sep 10 2006, 07:44 PM) [snapback]317540[/snapback]</div>

I'm very happy with the seat comfort now. My legs are much more comfortable, and my back no longer hurts. What they did was add a large foam wedge to the front of the seat, then built a custom cover for the whole seat. The large wedge looks a little odd, but is worth it to me for the improved comfort. My main complaint is actually the color choice. I thought I picked out the best color to the available choices, but is really turned out to be too light, and doesn't look great with the carpet and trim. Oh well, I can live with it. I'll try to get some pictures taken and posted soon.

 

For me, at 6'3", having just driven 1,150 miles in TWO days, I would have hurt badly in our Cavalier or CRV. The cloth Prius seats were FANTASTIC. But, thats for me.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BadD @ Sep 11 2006, 08:37 PM) [snapback]318092[/snapback]</div>

I have created a new post, which I think will answer your questions.

Check it out here.
My solution to uncomfortable seat

Good luck getting your seat comfortable for you. My solution may not work for anybody else, but I'm very happy with it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Joe Mama @ Sep 4 2006, 10:17 AM) [snapback]313948[/snapback]</div>

Joe where did you get your seat ???

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SparkyPrius @ Sep 8 2006, 10:46 AM) [snapback]316369[/snapback]</div>

I agree with all of you that the seats are uncomfortable. The side moldings are too narrow for most people, there is a lack of lumbar support, and the shoulder molding cuts too low on the body, not to mention the lack of ability to adjust the seat to fit our various anatomical needs. The 2007 Camry and prior versions of the Avalon have great seats. It's too bad Toyota didn't think about comfort in the Prius. Perhaps we need to make our voices heard.

In the meantime, I've tried a lumbar roll (McKenzie Lumbar Roll) with some relief, but this is only good for short trips. After that, I'm squirming in my seat from discomfort.

 

With my back problems getting worse, I had to do something more. I finally found a seat back cushion that works well for me, the Obus Forme High Back seat cushion:

[attachmentid=6241]

I got mine at the Relax the Back Store, because I wanted to test it before buying on-line. Price was $99 at RTBS, but they had several different options they allowed me to take out to my car and try in the parking lot. You can find several places online selling them for a bit less.

 

Anyone try something like this? It looks like it might work, but I wonder if it my feel odd because it's a little too short to fully support your thighs.

 

Yes, I would like to see those pictures too. I am having seat comfort issues on long trips.

Take care,
L5, Miami, FL:rockon:

 

I'm just under 6ft.3in. tall and keep the seat all the way back. I wouldn't want it any further back as the reach to the steering wheel is far enough already. Someone else mentioned reclining the seat back to help, but that does nothing for legs. Reclining the seat back brings my head forward and away from the headrest, not a good thing.

I don't like driving around reclined far back, which I think is popular in some import tuner-type cars.

With long legs, my knees are up a bit, so there's a lack of thigh support. A tilting down of the seat bottom would help. A foam wedge for the front part of seat would help also.

 

I folded up a small blanket, put it on front of seat bottom. Nice to feel some support there.

I'll visit a foam factory soon. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to cut some foam pads for the seat.

 

I am also tall and found a cheap solution that has worked.
Walmart foam
Spray adhesive
$20 Seat Covers
I made a wedge out of the foam (don't put any under your butt it will defeat the purpose) it goes from 4 in high to 0 in all before mid thigh.
Next I put a piece in the lumbar position. Next I put the carseat cover on with a mattress holddown strap to secure it to the Bar used for adjusting the seat.

 

I put a 1 3/8" thick x 6" x 18" medium density foam pad on front edge of the seat, underneath a $10 WalMart seat cover ($21 for pair). I cut out the side for the airbag.

First test drive ... ahhh, I've got some thigh support. I'd like to make a wedge also. Did you cut the foam into a wedge shape? If so, how'd you cut it?

 

I'm fairly tall at 6'2", but don't keep the seat all the way back, feel it almost hyperextends my knees when I do, plus I came to the Prius from driving a Wrangler for nearly a decade and that was a cramped ride and I got used to it. I got on this site for a couple of weeks before I bought my car last year, and read all of the stories about Prius seats being uncomfortable and it almost convinced me not to buy one. I did a test-drive, but those are brief and I was planning on some long-haul trips and was concerned. I went ahead and took the chance, though, and have not regretted it, find the seats just fine for long-haul drives.

 

Hardcase, sounds like you might have much shorter thighs than me. Pic below is with my seat all the way back. Not much thigh support at all.

I can hear the comments from the peanut gallery already ... tall guy (me) in a small car ...



I'll get a foam wedge made next week. Stock seat not working well for me.

 

Ok, so I went to Bob's Foam Factory, Fremont, CA with some measurements for a foam wedge. The tech cut a piece 3" height x 5" base x 20" long (wide)



You can see a little rounding of the corner also. I think a 2 1/2" x 6 x 19 would be even better for me.

I use a $10 seat cover from WalMart (don't laugh!*&) which holds the foam wedge in place.



The seat is more comfortable now because my thighs have something to rest on. Before, they were mostly unsupported. It is not hard to get in and out of the car with wedge in place.

Best of all, the wedge was free! Dude said drive around with it, not much foam used, Merry Christmas.

BTW, foam place just across street from NUMMI, where Corollas, Vibes and Tacomas assembled.

 

I put sheep skin seat covers on and went on a 5000km road trip.