Just cannot get comfy

[PomBstard]

Have been pootling around in one of our pool cars for a few days - a 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Other than the utterly depressing driving experience, the thing that's really annoyed is that I am unable to get comfortable behind the wheel. There is no ergonomic explanation. The seat is adjustable in every way, including lumbar, the wheel and pedals are straight ahead, and the seat has no sharp edges. There is plenty of room all around, and neither is it too big. Yet I can't drive it for more than about 15 mins without wanting to change the position somehow. A 7-hour round trip to Canberra had me wanting to drive into a tree just to take the madness away.

So, what have been your nemeses for seating comfort? I don't want to hear about how a Saab or Volvo is like an armchair on wheels, just let me know that I'm not the only one who has found a car which inexplicably doesn't fit me.

[Monty Python]

One thing I have noticed on Japanese cars in the past is that the base is too short, offering no support to the legs just above the knee. The BMW I have now has an extendable section (apparently there should be two or three fingers gap between the seat edge and the hollow of the back of the knee).

https://www.recaro-automotive.com/fileadmin/CONTEN...

[northwest monkey]

I was given a PT Cruiser as a courtesy car when my Cherokee was in for some warranty work a few years ago. The seat was awful & seemed to have no support behind my legs so I always felt like I was about to fall off!

Like you, I was constantly fidgeting & buggering about with the thing to see if I could make it any better.

[vrooom]

I was same cant get comfy in my mr2 until I got seat position right..

[slash79]

My Saab 9-5 Aero is very very comfy.......
Sorry

[Motorrad]

What you need is a beaded seat cover.

[RizzoTheRat]

Vauxhalls Astras and Vectras, I just find the seats way too hard.

I had an early low spec Focus once as a hire car and managed about 20 miles before I had to pull over and find a jumper to roll up and put behind me to support my back. Excruciating car to drive. Newer ones seem fine.

[telecat]

Fiat Stilo 5 door. My Wife loved it and though it was very comfy. The damn seat would not drop low enough for me and rather than drive it we swapped cars. The three door I found much more comfy.

[TLandCruiser]

Monty Python said:

One thing I have noticed on Japanese cars in the past is that the base is too short, offering no support to the legs just above the knee. The BMW I have now has an extendable section (apparently there should be two or three fingers gap between the seat edge and the hollow of the back of the knee).

https://www.recaro-automotive.com/fileadmin/CONTEN...

My wife is really short and the only cars that are comfortable are Japanese cars because the seats are shorter, otherwise she has to push her leg into the seat to change gear etc which after awhile hurts her legs.

[Skodaku]

Seats in my P2 S60 are lovely, although it's a bit short on rear leg-room for such a, comparatively, big device. Mrs S's Jazz, on the other hand, has tone of rear leg-room. It's just about 50bhp short of being fun, though. Can forgive it that for it's ability to act as a small Pickfords truck when required.

[Spare tyre]

what shoes were you wearing

in some cars, if i have boots on, the higher bit around the ankle seems to cut off the blood supply

its weird its only some cars combined with some shoes

[skinnedknuckles]

I had a series 1 lotus elise. I am 6'3". should have known really but ended up swapping her for an E-class merc when the visits to the chiropractor became a weekly occurrence.

The only adjustment on the seat was forward and backward on the rails. minimal padding.

Great fun to blast down a country lane on a sunday but useless on anything longer.

[nagsheadwarrior]

Monty Python said:

One thing I have noticed on Japanese cars in the past is that the base is too short, offering no support to the legs just above the knee.

https://www.recaro-automotive.com/fileadmin/CONTEN...

I found exactly that with my Toyota Celsior (Lexus LS400) which has the reputation as one of the comfiest cars around, but I always felt like I was perched on the seat.
Didnt find the same with the Honda Legend that preceeded it.

[Bisonhead]

Monty Python said:

One thing I have noticed on Japanese cars in the past is that the base is too short, offering no support to the legs just above the knee. The BMW I have now has an extendable section (apparently there should be two or three fingers gap between the seat edge and the hollow of the back of the knee).

https://www.recaro-automotive.com/fileadmin/CONTEN...

Agreed, when I used to sell Nissans I lost a sale due to the fact the guy had crazy long lower legs. That meant that even with the seat tilted all the way back, he couldnt support the knee end of his thighs.
I kept in touch with him and he ended up in a XKR...obviously!

[MitchT]

I've always fancied a Boxster but have never been able to get comfortable in Porsche seats. Always felt like I was sliding forward on the seat and, no matter how I adjusted the seat back, as though there was nothing behind my lower back. Strange. The seats in my BMW feel spot on and I've dabbled in various other vehicles - including Ferraris and Lamborghinis - which also felt perfect. Don't know what it is about Porsche seats that I can't get on with.

[corvus]

Monty Python said:

One thing I have noticed on Japanese cars in the past is that the base is too short, offering no support to the legs just above the knee. The BMW I have now has an extendable section (apparently there should be two or three fingers gap between the seat edge and the hollow of the back of the knee).

https://www.recaro-automotive.com/fileadmin/CONTEN...

This. My old Avensis was pretty useless - seat squab too short and the pedals too high in relation to the seat, meaning half your leg was unsupported. I tried to raise the seat to get some more support but it had a cheap and nasty mechanism that only raises the back of the seat base, meaning you just get tipped forward and get even less support to the back of the legs.

My current Forester is better but still not brilliant. Although the car sits higher the pedals in relation to the seat are still designed for shorter people. It's better than the Avensis though.

I'm not that tall. 5'11" with long legs. My 3 series with it's sports seats and pull out section was superb. I could sit in them all day.

I drove a Passat B5.5 as a courtesy car and found that good for comfort too.

Recaro's are just great. You can forgive a few shortcomings about a car when you are comfortable.

[MitchT]

corvus said:

I'm not that tall. 5'11" with long legs. My 3 series with it's sports seats and pull out section was superb. I could sit in them all day.

5'7" here but the same - 3 Series sports seats are as close to perfection as it gets

[hondansx]

Try a CG Lock.

[PHC]

Motorrad said:

What you need is a beaded seat cover.

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