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Prime front seats

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by harvardMA, Sep 20, 2019.

  1. harvardMA

    harvardMA New Member

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    I have been trying to decide between purchasing a used Prius C and a new Prime. I asked a friend her opinion of her 2016 C and she said she loved it except for the seats. I did some searching in forums and other people with both the C and older model Prius were very unhappy. I see that the XLE has power lumbar support.
    Questions: does anyone have issues with back pain with the seats? Do the LE seats have lumbar support?

    I am in the Boston area if anyone has a dealership they recommend.

    Thanks
    Ellen
     
  2. Washingtonian

    Washingtonian Senior Member

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    Here is some anecdotal evidence. My wife and I just returned from a 350 mile drive today Seattle to Portland and back. We both feel fine and she happened to mention on the drive how much more comfortable the seats were than our two previous cars, a Scion XB and a Mazda Miata, but she did admit that the seats in her Lexus ES300 were probably more comfortable. Incidentally, we are somewhat older people; 78 and 80. Not sure about the 2020 models, but my 2017 Advanced has power lumbar support only on the driver's seat.
     
  3. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Welcome. My Prime Premium has the lumbar adjustment. Once I got everything adjusted properly, it has been the most comfortable seat I've ever had. (I'm 66 years old, so I have a reasonably large sample group.)

    My longest day so far in this seat was from western Iowa to the Jackson, MS area. That's about 750 miles. Absolutely no sore spots. This was part of a 6,000 mile trip that was very comfortable. That's a quantum improvement over my previous 2013 PiP Base that would set my tailbone on fire after just a couple hundred miles. My wife did not get sore either, but she does complain that the softex covering makes her sweat a lot. I sweat some, too, but no more than with cloth seats.
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    all gen 4 have more comfortable seats, but a small percentage of owners are still unhappy.

    that's a big decision between prime and c based on seat comfort (n)
     
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  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    On one trip, I didn't find them comfortable but yet on another, they were just fine. (And I recall at the launch of the Gen 4 Prius, I found them really comfortable and raved about them). I'll have to play with the seatback angle and seat bottom cushion more to find the "perfect" position.

    But in any case, they are more comfortable than my Gen 3's seats. (I have mentioned that I felt my 2008 smart fortwo's seats were more comfortable than my 2010 Prius).
     
  6. evpv

    evpv Active Member

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    My Prime Plus seats are a huge improvement over my old Gen 3 seats. Shape is great and the foam absorbs bumps/vibration better. Very comfortable.
     
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  7. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    I have driven Prius C back in 2015 when I was considering purchasing it new, but ended up purchasing regular Prius (Gen3). I remember back then Gen3 seat was better than Prius C in terms of positiveness and comfort. But still with Gen3 base model (trim Two), it did not have lumber support, and yes, I needed that for a long drive. I had to purchase add on lumber support cushion for it. When I moved to PRIME (2017 Premium model) with came with power seat and power lumber support, it made a huge difference in terms of alleviating back pain.

    I might be wrong, but lumber support in Prius models (either Prime or C or regular Prius) comes only with power seat option. I highly doubt base model Prius C has lumber support, but you should check it. My feeling is that PRIME's seat (and probably any Gen 4 Prius as well) are better quality than Prius C. As commented by others there are some other cars with better seats, so check them out if that is important factor for your decision. One thing I really, really hate about my Prime's seat is the Softex. I much prefer feel of premium cloth upholstery, but that can be subjective.
     
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    ^ That's correct. Power lumbar support came with leather or SofTex seats. Cloth seats did not have lumbar adjustment. The Prius c does not have any lumbar support adjustment in any trim level.
     
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  9. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Is there any Prius or other Toyota line-up that has cloth upholstery AND power seat (including power lumbar support)? Our old 2005 Sienna had cloth seats but power seat position with power lumbar support. I don't care too much about power seat position, but lumber support is one of the features very hard to live without for me.
     
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  10. bresna

    bresna Active Member

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    My Prime's driver's seat is comfortable except when it's sunny and warm outside. When it's sunny, I stick to the seat back no matter how low I set the AC temp. I also hate that I can't swing the visor sideways and block the sun. It's a hot car when it's sunny.
     
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  11. Chrisgen1

    Chrisgen1 Member

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    my prime has really comfortable seats with the soften. It is definitely much better then the gen 3 seats Although I prefer cloth in my cars, this soften is not really that bad.

    the comfort level actually rivals that of the sienna we have which i find to be the best for long trips
     
  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    2009-2013 Corolla LE. (optional)

    I think the current Camry LE/SE have it with cloth seats.
     
  13. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    I guess, that means for Prius line there is no cloth seats with lumbar support option. :(
     
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Not in North America.
     
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  15. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    For Prius with cloth seat, I would have to get this.

    lumbar support.png
     
  16. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    So many cool accessories in Japan.

    Hopefully Toyota offers other options for next gen instead of basic cloth and Softex. A nicer premium cloth would be appreciated or SofTex/alcantara or wood/cloth blend... actually I'm ok with just a nice "premium" soft cloth seats. (soft as in touch... not as in support. I'd very much prefer a stiffer seat to avoid fatigue on longer drives, as well as lasting longer so it doesn't sag as the car ages).
     
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