1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Poll: Are you Satisfied with the Prius Seats ?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by cycledrum, Jul 2, 2013.

?
  1. Fine, and I'm glad I was not forced to pay more for a power seat

    57.7%
  2. Good enough for my Use, although I am sore after a trip longer than 3 hours

    16.9%
  3. So so; I would have been happy to pay $500 more for power seats

    12.7%
  4. So so; I would have been happy to pay $1000 more for power seats

    1.4%
  5. The seat is a problem; I would have been happy to spend $500 more for power seats

    11.7%
  6. The seat is a problem; I would have been happy to spend $1000 more for power seats

    4.7%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. davekro

    davekro Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2013
    478
    66
    0
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, East Bay
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    cycledrum,
    Thanks for the information and picture. That color does seem like a perfect match, sweet. The center console mount looks good. Are you happy with it? I believe you put a foam lumbar pad (from Bob's awesome Foam Factory :cool: )behind the drivers cover, right? Any info you can share on how you secured the 'cushion' in place or other ideas on cushions under seat covers would be appreciated. What thickness, length/width and type of foam did you use?

    I have temporary auto parts store cloth covers now. As a trial for my cushion, I used blue painters tape to hold it in place (not a permanent solution). From Bob (Santa), I first got a piece of 1/2" neoprene (9" H x 16"W IIRC), then a few weeks later stopped by to get a 1/4" piece of same (6" H) to add to it. It is a good thickness for me (3/4" total). But I am now looking at an adjustable 'air bladder' to try. I am a bit more concerned with how to hold that bulkier item 'up' under a cover, how you supported yours is of interest.

    I am looking at the Rostra 250-1454 Front Mount Comfort Seat Pneumatic Lumbar Support System.This powered.
    $86.85 on Amazon. Someone mentioned it had internal foam that was too thick. I have not herd back from him on it's compressed thickness. I will Call Rostra on this. They were very helpful letting me know why the 'rear' mount would not work for a front (of seats cushioning) mounting. (rear mount has a hard surface that would wear thru the seat cover)


    This hand pump version was recommended by a PC member on my 'Adjustable lumbar' thread*.


    * my thread: Did you: add 'Adjustable' Lumbar support or Replace drivers seat? | PriusChat

    Any additional pics later (y) would be cool.
     
    cycledrum likes this.
  2. Delta Flyer II

    Delta Flyer II Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2013
    547
    248
    69
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Seats need more thigh support for those with longer legs…. I find the seat too short for long trips…
     
  3. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
    3,686
    699
    2
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    cycledrum likes this.
  4. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I have not added any foam behind the seat cover for lumbar. I get by without it. btw, the GT leather seat covers are working out great.

    I had a 1" x 5" x 8" piece of neoprene cut at Bob's for center armrest. Tried strapping it down on top of leather cover in two places, but didn't stay put so well. Tonight, I stuffed it underneath the leather armrest cover. I cannot get the cover to secure over the original armrest, so I put one strap near the front. Looks a little funky, but the foam underneath stays in place and I have a 1" lift. Function over form.

    Note - Seat cover color not accurate in this photo. dark in garage and flash does funny things.

    camera 562.jpg


    I had two 1.5 x 2 x 4 inch neoprene and two 1.5 x 3 x 4 cut at Bob's. Stack one of each to make 3 inch lift on door armrest. So, the center and door armrest heights are fairly even and make 8 and 4 o'clock grip doable.

    camera 563.jpg
     
  5. pamm13

    pamm13 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2014
    7
    2
    0
    Location:
    Alabama
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I answered the poll that I would pay more for power seats based on another vehicle that did have power seats (not a Toyota). I think the issue is due to my height. I am 5'2" on a good day and my thighs are hitting the front of the seat creating discomfort. I think that would not be the case if my legs were longer. I do a lot of long distance and that is when I have issues. In other cars the solution was to adjust the front of the seat as far down as possible and the back of the seat up. Sounds like it might be uncomfortable, but it did relieve the pressure and gave me the height I needed.

    So for me, in previous cars the power seats offered a greater range of adjustments and I benefit by that. I am going to try padding the back of the seat and using a seat cover to keep it in place. I think that might do the trick based on some of the other replies I have read. Wouldn't trad my Prius for any other car with or without power seat though. Great car.
     
  6. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2013
    242
    124
    0
    Location:
    Denver, CO
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    was given a 2014 Corolla Type S as a loaner last week by my dealer, and could not wait to get my Prius back.
    While the Corolla was very fast, and handled like a dream - the seats are nowhere near the comfort level of my 2010 Prius III
     
  7. Den49

    Den49 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2010
    498
    267
    0
    Location:
    Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    None of the aftermarket seat covers, pads, cushions, etc. are a good solution for when the seat doesn't fit you. They slip and slide, get in the way and create more problems than they are worth. Better to fix the seat itself. Your situation sounds like it could be helped and solved by inserting high density upholstery foam inside the OE seat cover to change the height, thickness and/or seat curvature. I have done this on many cars over the past twenty-five years, including my current Prius. It always works for me. See how, starting in post #55 post of the below thread:

    Seats too relaxed/reclined?! | Page 3 | PriusChat
     
  8. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2006
    1,049
    192
    0
    Location:
    NH
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Can actually see the pole for the first time, it was amusing until now...but, none of the choices fit, you can only vote to complain not to compliment, why am
    I not surprised?

    Just another troll's thread;)
     
  9. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A

    #1) The first choice in poll is for people who are fine with stock seat

    #2) I didn't create the poll. another did and the thread was merged with the videos I posted in post #1

    #3) Enjoy telling people to solve their seat problems by merely sittingup and not slouching cause that's what you do best. :p
     
  10. maynard

    maynard Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2013
    1
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two

    I have a 2013 prius II and have owned it for 3 years now and 74k miles. it is a torture chamber. problems i never had before are now very serious and toyota does not want to help at all. i have lumbar and lower back pain, sciatica in both legs, serious hip pain in my left hip. it is caused by the tilting when lowering the seats. they do not stay level and tilt back when lowering. a flat out ignorant design. toyota refuses to offer any help. they should retroactively add in the power seat. been a loyal toyota owner for 30 years but never again.
     
  11. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2012
    1,607
    877
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    IMO, it's not the seats are so uncomfortable as the fact that they cannot be adjusted correctly. When lowered or raised, the front of the seat just pivots at one point. How stupid is that?
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,679
    48,930
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    free power seat if i complain? i'm in! or do i need a note from my chiropractor?
     
    mrbigh and mmmodem like this.
  13. Friend of Bill W.

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2016
    109
    164
    0
    Location:
    Elkhart, IN
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I'm a big guy so yeah the seats are not the most comfortable. I've thought about trying to find a set of used Avalon seats, alter them.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  14. Myself248

    Myself248 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    28
    18
    0
    Location:
    Royal Oak, MI
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I'm fine with the driver's seat, it's one of the most comfortable I've ever driven. Higher front would be nice (I'm 6'3" and mostly legs), so I may try the washers mod from earlier in the thread. But even without that, I've taken multi-day roadtrips with no issue.

    I added some knee padding to the "flying buttress" by the shifter, because it's hard-nice person plastic and my knee rests against it. 4mm neoprene foam sheet with spraymount, just happened to be gray so it matches the interior. :)

    However, the PASSENGER seat is a major disappointment. My previous car was a Matrix with the fold-flat passenger seat for hauling cargo, and the Prius's ability to haul ladders and stuff is severely compromised without that. When I went to pick up a wide-format printer, I took along my socket set so I could REMOVE the passenger seat (and stuff it back in sideways), as it was the only way to get the printer into the car. I would happily pay a little extra for a cargo-conscious passenger seat and the rear hold-downs (tracks and hardpoints) that the Matrix had.

    (Incidentally if you remove the passenger seat, you have to unplug some airbags along the way. Driving the car with these unplugged will annoy the airbag module, so once you unload the cargo and reinstall the seat, you'll need to clear DTCs. Alternately, get a mating connector and the appropriate resistor value to make a "pacifier" for the airbag plug, but I don't do this often enough to care.)
     
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,809
    16,051
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    You could pay a little extra for a Prius v with an extra 6" of exterior length. (