Any Significant Diffs in Front Seats 2012-2020?

[cognus]

Is this a strange question? I had 3rd Gen [2000] and 4th Gen now - the 'devil I know' and the seats in both were/are "OK", not great. I have driven a couple of 5th Gens but both were used in "meh" condition and both were SR5 IIRC. I

have read numbers of posts here and elsewhere of folks in 3rd, 4th, 5th gen that hate the front seats. Are there any changes from year to year, in any Trim levels, that materially change the fit or comfort of the front seats? Materials, foam, shape, dimensions? If so, I'm going to hunt down a few more models/trims to try on. I bought a Sequoia and now thinking of trading for a 5th Gen but I can't stand a misfit seat

Here's a snippet from a review of 2021 T4R on Edmunds.com, note seat comment: "We kept waiting for the “new model” but decided it was time to trade in the 2015. That was a wise decision as the 2021 Limited has been greatly improved inside with pleasant NAV upgrade, much-improved seating, and finally with very comfortable ride."


thx

 

[msp]

Is this a strange question? I had 3rd Gen [2000] and 4th Gen now - the 'devil I know' and the seats in both were/are "OK", not great. I have driven a couple of 5th Gens but both were used in "meh" condition and both were SR5 IIRC. I

have read numbers of posts here and elsewhere of folks in 3rd, 4th, 5th gen that hate the front seats. Are there any changes from year to year, in any Trim levels, that materially change the fit or comfort of the front seats? Materials, foam, shape, dimensions? If so, I'm going to hunt down a few more models/trims to try on. I bought a Sequoia and now thinking of trading for a 5th Gen but I can't stand a misfit seat

Here's a snippet from a review of 2021 T4R on Edmunds.com, note seat comment: "We kept waiting for the “new model” but decided it was time to trade in the 2015. That was a wise decision as the 2021 Limited has been greatly improved inside with pleasant NAV upgrade, much-improved seating, and finally with very comfortable ride."


thx

Only your butt and back can decide if the seats are right for you. I had a 2012 Trail and the seats were painful...for me. I'm now in a 2020 TRD Off Road with cloth seats and just got home from a 6 hour ride with no back pain at all. The Limited has very nice ventilated, leather seats which I also found to be very comfortable.

 

[ESS4RNR]

I can't quantify the differences but for me suffice it to say Toyota must have made a change from 2012 to 2021. I hated the seats in my 2012 Trail Edition. For me, they were the most uncomfortable seats in any vehicle I have ever owned over the past 45 years. I even upgraded to Katzskin leather but to no avail. In 2017 instead of trading in my wifes 2005 Limited for a tow vehicle, we traded in the 2012 Trail for a Sequoia Limited. Fast forward to today I sold the 2005 4Runner Limited and purchased a 2021 ORP. In my opinion the seats in the 2021 are a huge improvement. I really like the Softex and I can drive / ride for hours and no lower back pain. Again, just my own opinion and I'm sure individual comfort is can be dependent upon an individual's physical build etc. so you just have to try it out for yourself.

 

[cognus]

so, looks like the answer is "Yes there are diffs".
I'm noting that the late models 20-21 are the wins.
Maybe I can locate a Toyota sales guy that has hung with the brand for many years that could tell me when they got the clue.
and go visit some dealer that has a number of choices sitting on the lot