The Prius is killing me!

ryprius,
I'm 6'2" or so with 36" inseam and long arms, so I pretty much know 'where you're coming from'.

The bad news is (which is not reported everywhere) ... the Gen2 Prius is just flat out Not designed for really tall people, and you are really tall. Doesn't matter if you're legs are long or torso is long, etc... if you're really 6'4" barefoot, that height has to go somewhere.

... and it's not really the overall car size that's not designed for tall people, it's the high, recessed touchscreen, which hints at causing them to limit seat travel, the door pillar is not back quite far enough (Gen3 pillar / roof peak moved back), then some geniouses nixed the height adjuster for the North American market, and telescopic steering wheel was never offered. Go sit in a Honda Civic Hybrid, see how good that seating is .... you might be PO'd with the Prius. Worse yet, sit in the 2010 Prius whose seating is Really good.

Likely the best way to help the situation is to install a set of the 'extendmyseat' brackets listed in the Priuschat store (no, I've no connection to selling them). Then you can push the seat bottom back up to 4 inches. Be prepared to move the seatback forward for decent reach to steering wheel and if lucky, you'll have some headroom left.

Dealing with the Gen2 seat bottom has also been a pain. For me, the seat bottom is narrow, short and too flat (measure against a 2010 seat bottom to see how small the 2009- is).

I've had some luck with custom shaped foam from foam factories which is very cheap to have made. The I cover with a pillowcase. It helps out.

can't help you with back problems as I don't have them. Like you say, you wouldn't want a cushion behind your back as your knees are likely already just about hitting the dash.

Sounds like the seat is pretty bad for you. Nothing will make that seat amazing, but, it's worth trying to make it best you can.

 

ryprius,
This pic shows the comfort rig in mine ...



Look close to see the extender brace at front of seat rail (many pics in mods section here). Seat cushion, pillow, inverted rearview mirror, raised gas pedal pad to even out reach distance from gas to brake (even that is much better in the 2010) ... it all helps quite a bit.

Good luck!

 

I imagine the foam is starting to "break in" a bit, too. After seeing how the Gen II seats are built up (while installing the Leather upholstery in mine) It's obvious all the support comes from foam.

It also depends on what you transitioned out of. I am used to driving a lot of different cars, but if you came out of a very upright vehicle, or a very low one (like a Miata or something) the seating position is completely different, and requires a different set-up - not to mention it will feel wierd for a while.

What I do with a new car is make an adjustment (change the tilt of the seat back, for example) and drive it the next day. I only change one thing at a time, and I like to "sleep on it" so it is fresh in the morning. That way I zero in on a new set-up over time. Hard to do in a rental, but that's my approach on a new car I own.

 

I test drove a 2007 and had the EXACT same issues. Eventually I found one with an after market (port) leather package installed. While they were doing the wrap, the inserted some contours and gel packs in the seats. Most comfortable car I've ever owned after the leather redo. I'm certain you can find some qualified shop to do a similar package, although I'd expect it to run you something north of $500 so it might not be worth it.

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