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How to make Prius more comfortable?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by rondocap, Nov 27, 2012.

  1. rondocap

    rondocap Member

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    I have a 2012 Prius plugin base. The cloth seats after a long drive are uncomfortable.

    What can make the ride better? Replacing with leather seats? Or just a leather cover?

    Any suspension or tire change that could help comfort?
     
  2. Toyota Minnesota

    Toyota Minnesota Junior Member

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    Dear Rondocap:

    After 30 years in a BMW with custom seats and leather, I too found the ride in my new Prius a wee bit on the bumpy side during a recent trip from Seattle to San Francisco. Yes, you can swap out the seats, and get some high-end tires (Cooper?) that may mitigate the "hard ride" feel.

    That being said, it's about the experience, and the elegance of form and function. Toyota had to make sacrifices in their design to achieve maximum gas efficiency, so it's a trade off. With a 50% savings in fuel each month, I tend to find myself enjoying the trade offs more and more.

    Welcome to the Prius generation!
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    many here got the leather seat covers and found them quite comfortable.
     
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  4. rondocap

    rondocap Member

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    Funny you mention BMW - my other car is a 335i.

    I can drive 6+ hours with no fatigue in that.

    I may try some leather seat covers.
     
  5. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Try a set of Clazzio leather seat covers with lumbar support inserts. They are great quality for such a low price.

    Swap tires to a set of Energy Saver A/S tires. They are more comfortable than the OE tires and they offer better mpg and tread life.
     
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  6. rondocap

    rondocap Member

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    I want to get leather installed, I think that will make it much more plush.

    The driving position in the Prius I feel is a bit generic, and not a cockpit feel like you have in a sportier car like a ct200h Lexus or a BMW.
     
    ETP likes this.
  7. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    I went with real sheepskin covers;

    My $35 Sam's Club "genuine" sheepskin seat covers. | PriusChat

    I know about sheepskin, becase I had a daughter born with a bad heart in 1983. She lived for two weeks. They laid her on a real sheepskin pad when she was in the neonaito intensive care unit.

    I'm sold on sheepskin. Even BMW offers high end sheepskin seat covers.

    Prior to installing the sheepskin covers, I took two 800 mile tound trips and was less than compfortable.

    The last 1000 mile Thanksgiving trip was absolutely wonderful in comparison.
     
    gsl1909 likes this.
  8. Adam Leibovitch

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    I put in a $1 lumbar support from the dollar store. I think it helps.

    SGH-T999 ? 2
     
    RCO, The Electric Me and kenoarto like this.
  9. rondocap

    rondocap Member

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    You guys think dealer Installed leather is good?
     
  10. Adam Leibovitch

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    At my local dealer they just install the Katzin kits. I don't think they do after market softex

    SGH-T999 ? 2
     
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  11. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Sure but it's expensive. The Clazzio covers looked good enough to me for $1000 less than the dealer option. The dealer uses Katskins right?
     
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  12. Adam Leibovitch

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    I think some dealers do Clazzio as well. But will leather make the seat more comfortable? I think it is more about the shape and cushion level. Even drivers with the leather complain about the seat being uncomfortable.

    SGH-T999 ? 2
     
  13. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    The first thi
    ng I did was installed High
    The first thing I did when I got may car was to install good, high quality sheepskin covers. They make a significant difference in the seat comfort. They are great in the winter and very comfortable in the summer.
     
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  14. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    But they look like you're sitting on a farm animal! :p
     
  15. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    Cow hides or leather, NOT pleather, are farm animal, too, although with the hair removed.
     
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  16. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    There is a big difference between smooth leather and a white afro! :p
     
  17. DadofHedgehog

    DadofHedgehog Active Member

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    Decades ago I reupholstered my BMW motorcycle seat with New Zealand sheepskin. That seat was awesome - held me in place, was comfortable in high Summer and on icy Winter mornings, and lasted until I wrecked the bike two years later. Based on that experience, I also recommend a good-quality sheepskin cover for the seat. The natural lanolin in the sheepskin fur sheds dirt and keeps the seat surface plush for a long time.

    ...or you can swap out the seat for the OEM Prius Softex pleather seat. I have that in my Advanced Pip and the seat is pretty good after eight months and almost 14,000 miles.
     
  18. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    This is a much cheaper option...

    image.jpg image.jpg
     
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  19. Me Here

    Me Here Member

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    Solution: Put the Prius on a Yacht and sun bathe on the deck = more comfortable. If there happens to be a fishing pole that is just a bonus.
     
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  20. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    Just a word of caution to any/all who put on seat covers that you don't defeat the SRS seam on the pillar side of the front seat.