Seat Comfort (or lack thereof)

[swhme]

Alright, gang, next month will be 3 years and over 60k miles of Rivian driving, between my R1T and R1S, and as much as I hate to admit it, I hate the seats. My back feels like garbage as soon as I get in, and my butt feels like I’m sitting on cardboard, to the point where I tend to take my 20 year old land cruiser for short errands so I don’t have to get in and out of the Rivian.

I’m pretty big (6’6, 215lbs) but certainly not wildly heavy. Has anybody been able to make any changes to get more comfort? I love the driving experience, but I’m getting close to the end of my rope and thinking about throwing in the towel and buying a Volvo.

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[Gen(R3)Xer]

Tesla’s seats are too firm as well. Are there any EVs out there that actually have plush seats? I feel like mattresses and IKEA couches have gone in the same direction. Who is all of this uncomfortable upholstery being designed for, masochists?

I’d love to have a padded cushion of some sort, but wouldn’t that block the heating and cooling function?

 

[strykerwsu]

I love both R1's seats. However im 5 10 195. Best road tripping vehicle I've owned. But I've mostly had sporty cars.

 

[computertom]

My R1T was a distant fifth behind our BRaptor, old air cooled 911, new Ioniq 5N and old Chrysler Pacifica. Great truck, but I found the seats less supportive and bolstered than I wanted and frankly just ok.

 

[CrazyOne]

Can't make it plush, but putting lumbar all the way down and one or two clicks from minimum has fixed the back pain caused by the seats. YMMV of course. There is lack of support at lower back. Rivian seats (made by Hyundai from what I know) are the third best seats in my garage.

 

[COdogman]

Seating is so subjective. I am shorter, but heavier than you (6’1”, 225lbs) and I find the Rivian seats comfy. Especially compared to the Tacoma seats I had before… Those should be used for “enhanced interrogations” of terrorists.

You said your back hurts when you sit in the Rivian, but have you identified what is is about the Rivian seats that causes the discomfort? Are they too firm, or just no support in the right spot for your body?

 

[Donald Stanfield]

It must be a height thing because I'm 5'10" and weigh about the same as you, and I'm comfortable.

 

[McLovin]

Yeah, I'm 5' 9", 190lbs, and I have not problems w/ these seats. I've taken it on 2 decently long trips (~ 400 miles), and haven't had any issues.

By contrast, my old Audi A5 (and my wife's A5 Cab) are terrible. I can't go more than an hour without having to get out & stretch. My back hurts...my leg starts to fall asleep.

Having said that...my 2010 Volvo V70 XC had the most comfortable seats ever. I could sit in that all day and have 0 issues.

 

[PaythePiper]

Yeah coming from recaro seats in the raptor, these seats leave a little to be desired. I’m with OP on this one

 

[Ecupip]

I find the seats super comfortable, so much so that I purchased a Rivian seat chair for my office. I prefer a firmer seat and bed than squishy ones.

 

[zymolysis]

Lumbar adjustment/support in my R1T is just wrong; it should supply extra support at the lumbar region of the spine, but supplies that support lower. I use a lumbar cushion that is permeable to airflow to make the seats acceptable.

 

[DavidMillett]

Alright, gang, next month will be 3 years and over 60k miles of Rivian driving, between my R1T and R1S, and as much as I hate to admit it, I hate the seats. My back feels like garbage as soon as I get in, and my butt feels like I’m sitting on cardboard, to the point where I tend to take my 20 year old land cruiser for short errands so I don’t have to get in and out of the Rivian.

I’m pretty big (6’6, 215lbs) but certainly not wildly heavy. Has anybody been able to make any changes to get more comfort? I love the driving experience, but I’m getting close to the end of my rope and thinking about throwing in the towel and buying a Volvo.

Yes I'm not a fan of the R1S seats. I had a model x for 6 years and the seats were better. But it is a small price to pay to stop giving the Tesla monster money.

 

[cbrcanuck]

I find the seats SOOOO much more comfortable than anything I've had before (Subaru Outback prior, and a couple of F150s before that)

 

[TexasBob]

FWIW, I felt the same when I bought the R1S. I was getting a bunch of pain in my upper hamstring and was about to give up but then I spent $20 on this lumbar support pillow and I have had zero issues since. I cannot explain why, but pushing my butt/lower back forward fixed the seating position for me. Many happy days driving 12+ hours a day. YMMV

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D5J7SL2?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

 

[kanundrum]

My left bolstering is failing for sure and I am at 2.5 years 32k miles

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