Seat comfort impressions ?

rakrak2

New member
Does anyone have any experience or opinions to pass on about comfort of the seats and seating position in a new 2022 4Runner?

I am interest in this vehicle but have not been able to find one on a local lot to sit in.

What should I look for or expect to see? Seems like the major choices are between cloth and softex?

For reference, I drove Ford pickups as my go-to-work daily driver for 30 years so am not looking to get into a magic carpet soft ride but need some good butt comfort and reasonable ergonomics for operating the controls.

tia
 
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I went with the Softex myself and am excited for it. For what it's worth, I'm coming from a 2019 Tacoma and the seats in the 4R that I drove felt like a vast improvement over what I currently have.
 
Thanks CRash505, I have been interested in the Softex as it sounds like it could be quite good. Will have to find one to get some seat time in...
 
Comfort will change person to person. Just having sold my Wrangler and getting a TRD Off Road, I can tell you the seats in the 4Runner are a bajillion times more comfortable. The seat bottom is height adjustable front and back so I can add more pressure under my knees. The back is nicely shaped and WIDE. I'm a big dude and I fit really well width wise. And at 6' 1", I dont have to put the seat all the way back.
 
I'm not sure if there's any appreciable difference on the 2022s, but I do have to say that seat comfort has been perhaps my least-favorite thing about this vehicle.

For reference, I guess I'd be considered a full-size male adult, 6'3", somewhere between 220 and 270 lbs.

Have owned a 2018 TRD Off-Road Premium since September 2018, and have taken it on several medium- and long-range road trips. Also had a 2021 TRD Off-Road Premium as a loaner for a couple days while mine was having repair work done under recall, and seats were essentially the same.

In specific here are my gripes:
  • Inadequate leg support. The length of the bottom base seat cushion is about 2-3 inches too short, and the range of motion for power seat adjust for bottom cushion height is not quite adequate. Therefore I'm stuck sitting "on" the seat instead of "in" it. I think if I had a little more of a differential between front & rear height such that I were rotated rearward a bit, things would be better, but the only way to get that "split" would be to raise the overall position, then I'd have to hunch my back to maintain adequate head room.
  • The Softex isn't as bad as older vinyl seats, but it definitely does like to stay cold in the cold, and hot/sticky in the heat. The heated seats make the cold-weather situation acceptable, but I almost always end up with a sweaty lower back in the summer. Honestly for comfort I'd prefer cloth, with perforated leather being my second choice, but those are both harder to clean and keep clean.
  • Why even bother having a power "4-way" passenger's seat? I could adjust it manually much faster, would have expected a power seat to be at least a 6-way.

Over the past several years I have driven a number of other vehicles (mostly rentals) ranging from "C" economy compact cars to class 8 semi-tractors, and I do have to say that the majority of them did have better driver's seat comfort. Among the best: 2021 Ford Mustang convertible, 2021 Toyota Camry XSE, 2019 Toyota Camry XLE, 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, 2016 Infiniti QX80, 2017 GMC Yukon Denali
 
Both are great..

Both seat types are great but for different reasons.

I find the 4runners way more comfortable than jeeps and tacos (I originally wanted a taco but as soon as I drove it said no based on the seats, more specifically the seating position).

Went with a 2020 4runner ORP and haven't looked back.

Is it the most comfortable off roader out there? No.. range rovers hold that prize for me but they have waaaaaaaay too many draw-backs for me to ever own one again (way too much time spent in the shop compared to on the road in my experience).

Enjoy whichever you choose!
 
Softex hands down, however if you live in super hot climate and wear shorts maybe not. lol

As far as comfort they are fine, definitely not the most comfortable compared to my Mazda and Acura. But at least now your seat will support your legs better than the older 4Runners and Tacoma's.

I have a 19 and am very satisfied with there comfort and adjustability.
 
2022 vs 1999?

My wife is 5'11" with long legs. She finds the seats in our 1999 4Runner fine for long drives, more so than any of the cars we've rented due to the not sitting on the floor feeling that aggravates her sciatica. Pick up truck rentals were all very comfy on long road trips. How do the 5Gen seats compare, as far as overall comfort and seating position?
 
My back sweats in my 2021 Offroad premium Softex seats. My wife laughs as she looks at beaded seat covers from the 1970s for me.
 
Sorry I’m new here, what exactly is softex? Vinyl or a hybrid leather? Does it hold up well? I have had leather seats in previous vehicles but didn’t matter how much you kept up with them they would always end up getting tattered.


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Hi, I just test drove one last week and the seats were very comfortable and supportive. I could feel the lumbar support as well Did try the heated option though. I then ORDERED ONE!!
 
As you can see, responses run the gamut. Depends on the individual. You’ll have to spend some time in one, driving it if you can.

Me? I have an ‘18 SR5 with cloth seats. I am happy with it. I’m a big guy, 5’10” and 265#. I run with mine raised all the way, no under knee support (front of the cushion all the way down), lumbar fully out, seat reclined about 15º, seat well back but not all the way. Steering column adjusted all the way up.

This works well for the vast majority of the time. On long trips I might piddle with the seatback angle but nothing else for relief.
 
I personally do not like the seats in my ‘24 orp. Very very uncomfortable after about 30 minutes so much so I am considering selling within the year sadly. I’m trying really hard to like this car but the seat comfort is my biggest complaint. Looking into sheepskin to help but hate having to spend another $300-500 just for seat comfort
 
I personally do not like the seats in my ‘24 orp. Very very uncomfortable after about 30 minutes so much so I am considering selling within the year sadly. I’m trying really hard to like this car but the seat comfort is my biggest complaint. Looking into sheepskin to help but hate having to spend another $300-500 just for seat comfort
Seat comfort is totally subjective. Coming from a '99 SR5, I find the seats in our '22 ORP super comfy, even on a long road trip from San Francisco to Boulder, CO and back.
What don't you like about the seats?
 
SOLVED!

I test drove 4Runners for years, always wanting one but never satisfied with the seat comfort. The lack of under leg support for me, a tall guy, had discomfort setting in within 15-30 minutes.

A web search resulted in posts about this issue and many others who agreed, both 4R and Tacoma. There were several threads about a product called Seat Jackers, by a company called Desert Does It (out of Las Vegas).

There were so many good reviews I took the chance and bought a 2022 ORP, ordering a set of Seat Jackers the same day. I was hopeful, but figured I could sell the 4R if it didn’t work.

I’m pleased to report IT WORKED! We installed these as soon as they arrived and 14 months and 25,000 miles later I have experienced absolutely zero discomfort. A true game changer for me.

The product is very high quality and I highly recommend. I’m not affiliated in any way, just a very happy owner.

Hoppy

FRONT SEAT JACKERS(R) (2003-2024 4RUNNERS, 2003-2023 GX, AND FJ)
– Desert Does It


582f8d00730268940aa5cbd4acb3f8b1.jpg
 
Does anyone have any experience or opinions to pass on about comfort of the seats and seating position in a new 2022 4Runner?

I am interest in this vehicle but have not been able to find one on a local lot to sit in.

What should I look for or expect to see? Seems like the major choices are between cloth and softex?

For reference, I drove Ford pickups as my go-to-work daily driver for 30 years so am not looking to get into a magic carpet soft ride but need some good butt comfort and reasonable ergonomics for operating the controls.

tia

I personally think they're comfortable for shorter trips, but I don't think long distance trips are their forte. But everyone has a different preference!
 

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