Seat Replacement/Cushioning

Not sure the v5's power seat would be better padded but it would offer better positioning assuming you can get it powered up properly. I would check with LKQ salvage yards. The passenger seat is not power. I use a separate lumbar pad on my v3 with success.

 

I have a 2012 Prius V, and for 10 year's I've battled to get the seat comfortable. I've tried just about every seat solution sold on the market over the years, and they don't work. I managed to rig something w/a heavily padded foam bath mat, and reclined the seat rearwards in order to take the pressure off my lower back. I am practically on my back with my eyebrows above the steering wheel. The thing SUCKS.

 

Wow, there is a debate on this issue, with opinions varying from one polar opposite to the other, love to hate.

Our 2012 v Five is the most comfortable road car I have yet driven, but the SO can't stand the passenger seat (and won't drive), so always looking for alternatives, but haven't found any.

 

I suspect it is a matter of adjustment. I have a 2013 Prius V two, as my Uber driver vehicle. The driver seat does have a power Lumbar support (this is a two, the lowest trim level). I am 6' 1" tall, and have the seat pushed to the 4th position from the rearmost position. I push the lumbar support almost all the way forward. I have been driving Uber 10-12 hour shifts for 3 of the last 4 years, and I seem OK with it.

That said, I recently purchased a 2017 Prius V four that my wife currently drives. It has the 8-way power Softex seat. I can adjust that seat to exactly perfect for me, and once adjusted, it is definitely better than the 2013 two seat. Most importantly, I can raise the front of the seat to support for the back of my thighs close to the knees. This takes noticeable pressure off of my butt, and my knees hurt less after hours of driving.

I considered upgrading the 2013, but it is really complicated (I think it involves adding a seat control computer to the car). Also, since the 2017 is my wife's car, I need to readjust the 8 way seat every time I drive it. A fancy adjustable seat without a memory function for multiple drivers is kind of an expensive PITA (literally). For my 2013, I am thinking a wedge shaped pillow to support my thighs at the front of the seat (or a folded towel).

Getting back to what the OP wanted. He might want to try the Softex seats in another car before spending the money. I would not expect a significant difference for the money. To upgrade to the 8-way requires integrating another computer, so it isn't just a bolt in upgrade.

I live near the Fort Washington exit of the PA Turnpike (Mile 339, about two hours from Harrisburg). If you happen to be in my part of PA, we might be able to arrange for you to try the seat of my 2013 two and 2017 four.

 

v very uncomfortable after a few hours................

 

Everyone has different tooshies. I find the seat quite comfy and there are days I spend 5 hours in it!!


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