Prius Driver's Seat Misery

[Sherlockian]

Hi, everybody. I hate to be writing this right now, but I'm nervous that I might have to sell my 8-month old Prius (obviously that would be a huge financial hit).

The driver's seat is just that bad.

I've read threads here and elsewhere about what to do about the seats, but I don't want to trash my potential resale value and safety by replacing the seat with something without an airbag, and the various cushion arrangements haven't worked and also make me ride up way too high int he car.

Basically, I'm 6'2", 34" inseam. How taller people on this board can claim to drive this car comfortably is a mystery. A 6'6" co-worker sat in my car and he said almost instantly there's no way he could drive it for very long (and he is actually a big fan of the Prius, generally speaking). My legs are basically an inch from the dash, also, and in an accident I'm probably screwed, but that's beside the point.

I took a test drive before buying, and it seemed okay, but the extreme discomfort didn't present itself for a few months of driving it to work.

The problem is this: The lack of thigh support (and maybe lumbar, I can't pinpoint exactly where this is coming from) is putting too much pressure on my lower back. I haven't had a history of back problems, but since driving this car it's become an issue. The biggest problem is that my left leg has a constant "being stretched" feel in the back of the thigh. My left cheek also feels "fatigued." My leg isn't actually experiencing streching back there so these sensations are strange. I've actually never had a problem with the right leg or side.

If I recline the seat enough to lean back and relieve some pressure I'm too far away from the steering wheel (which leads to upper back discomfort after a while).

I have Wet Okole seat covers that add 1/2" of cushioning. I passed on the optional inflatable lumbar support initially but have now ordered them and will try this (won't be here for a couple of weeks). The thigh support is still tough, though. The cushions/wedges at the back stores didn't do the trick, as I said. One felt great but didn't actually solve the ergonomics issue with the Prius driver's seat--it just put me up too high.

Do any of you Prius-chatters have any realistic suggestions? There just seems to be no way for this 6'2" guy to get in a comfortable driving position. I hate to lose 10K by selling/trading the car, but I refuse to develop muscle or nerve damage to drive it. If I can't solve this I might be headed for a Honda Accord (and the poorhouse).

[qbee42]

Tall people come in different shapes. Some are all legs, others all torso, which explains why some tall people find the Prius okay and others do not.

If you have tried the various cushions suggested in other threads, then your only options are to extend the seat rails or trade in your Prius. Extending the seat rails preserves the air bag.

The new 2010 model features more leg room, an adjustable seat, and a telescoping steering wheel. I would consider that before buying an Accord.

Tom

[nownow]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one that hates the seats in this car. They need to be height adjustable and heated, at least...and the lumber sucks. For that matter, the lack of a telescoping SW is also a bummer. Honestly, I don't drive the car that much, but I'll be watching this thread as I assume we might be taking the car on a 1200 mile round trip for vacation in June.

I'm only 5'11 with a 30" inseam, but I have serious back issues when I drive the car for an extended length of time. I put the seat all the way back (which makes me have to reach for the SW), so I have no idea how someone over 6'2" could drive this regularly. The seat and SW are perfect for my wife (primary driver) but she's 5'1".

I feel like I can do better if I force myself to pull my lower back away from the seat...maybe a lumbar cushion is all I need...but I shouldn't need one in a car that retailed for $29k. Interestingly, I alway had similar issues in my wife's last car (Volvo V70), and they're supposed to have the best seats in the world.

[Sherlockian]

Thanks for the suggestions. I assume the seat rail option would put me even further away from the wheel, though, and that might be a problem, too.

The new Prius was a thought, as it sounds like it will have more adjustability. It's just that it seems likely that it will be more expensive, and even if not I pulled the trigger last year because I'm leery of the first production year of a new car (even if it's Toyota). The new Prius is something to think about, regardless.

I'm still going to take the money hit on trade-in/sale, though. I forgot to mention that I'm in Washington state and there's no sales tax on new Prius, which makes a hell of a ding in the value when selling a used car.

[Sherlockian]

Originally Posted by nownow

I feel like I can do better if I force myself to pull my lower back away from the seat...maybe a lumbar cushion is all I need...but I shouldn't need one in a car that retailed for $29k. Interestingly, I alway had similar issues in my wife's last car (Volvo V70), and they're supposed to have the best seats in the world.

You hit the nail on the head with this. I'm struggling with the resentment over having to use pillows and contort in an car I just paid $30,000 for. I accept some blame for not properly researching all the complaints beforehand, though. Still, it did feel okay on the test drive.

I'm trying not to kick myself too hard, because like you said with the Volvo the ergonomics/comfort problem can come up with any car. It's a personal fit thing, I suppose.

[richard schumacher]

I'm 6'3" , 34" inseam. I agree that the seat sucks, but before selling try at least these two things. They can make a big difference:

1. Don't carry anything (wallet, billfold, etc.) in a rear pocket.

2. Put a small fat pillow or cushion (or even a wadded-up t-shirt) behind the small of your back. All of the purpose-made back support thingies I tried were not worth a darn.

[a priori]

I know tall people come in all different packages, but are there any shorter folks who have serious back issues or leg strain complaints from these seats?

I'll agree they are not the most comfortable seats, but I've had absolutely no issue when driving the car for very long stretches (600 miles non-stop). Perhaps I'm just the one body-type that works in these seats.

The 2010 is an entirely different machine in this respect. The seats were noticeably more comfortable, and the telescoping steering wheel and seat height adjustment will allow substantially more freedom to set the most comfortable driving position.

[Frayadjacent]

Look around, I'm 6'1" and have similar issues... I've found a couple threads regarding adding the vertical adjustment mechanism from a Corolla driver's seat, and intend to do that mod within the next few months. Right now, the seat is bearable, but it won't be when I make road trips.


Here's one talking about the mod:
http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-ma...ndle-08-a.html

[seesfar]

[quote=Sherlockian;827021]

The problem is this: The lack of thigh support (and maybe lumbar, I can't pinpoint exactly where this is coming from) is putting too much pressure on my lower back.

I had a similar problem with lack of thigh support. I solved this by blocking the front seat mount 1-1/2" higher. You have to buy longer bolts (make sure tensile strenght is same as original) cut a piece of oak dowel rod to 1-1/2" drill clearance hole for bolt and replace with dowel under sear mount. This lifts front under thighs without lifting the rear. It's cheap and may help.

[Gray Runner]

I took a piece of pvc pipe put a "T" fitting on the top with some foam on it and I use that to support my right leg, worked for a 10 hour trip