Seat Differences

[Chilei]

I am a week from pulling the trigger on a 2017/18 4 runner. My wife and I are set on it but we differ in comfort. We have test driven a TRD Offroad Platinum and a 4Runner Limited. We prefer the offroad, but while driving them (same day), she did not like the seats in the Offroad (her only complaint) but did like the seats in the Limited. I thought she was crazy but I took paper and folded it from seam to seam (hardly scientific, I know) on the Limited and then went to the TRD offroad, and found that the TRD seat was actually about 1/4 inch or so wider from bolster seam to bolster seam (bolster seams in the seat back, not the tips of the bolster). I have only seen the one model of each so I am curious, are the seats actually designed different? Could I have just found a slight variance in one seat or the other?

It is easy to get past any of her criticisms of the TRD (I prefer that, she prefers the limited due to the push button start and AC in the seats), but she has embraced the TRD with exception of the seats, and the seats are obviously a huge thing. I don't want to buy the lesser model only to find that it was an off issue.

Thanks!

 

[aelarson]

I find that the seats in my TRDP are very stiff, which I prefer. You won't get a sore back or have uncomfortable legs after a few hours of driving! Just my .02! Good luck with the new 4Runner!

 

[swim.bike.run]

I just traded in my ‘17 limited for an ‘18 TRD off road. Love the truck but the seats are different. The material is completely different. That being said the dealer is installing AC into the seats so as for as coolness goes that’s being taken care of. The “comfort” is a little different but the AC makes up the difference.

As far a push button I still get into the truck with my key in my pocket and reach for the button only to then, uncomfortably, dig them out.

Hope this helps.

 

[Laurich]

It is easy to get past any of her criticisms of the TRD (I prefer that, she prefers the limited due to the push button start and AC in the seats

IIRC it's actually just ventilated front seats, not cooled. Nice yes, but not quite that nice. Just wanted to clarify that. Good luck either way. Each of the models have have their pros and cons depending on your wants, needs and tastes.

That being said the dealer is installing AC into the seats so as for as coolness goes that’s being taken care of. The “comfort” is a little different but the AC makes up the difference.

Might be getting what you had in your past LE. Obviously I can't say what they're installing. But you might want to check to see if they're just ventilated. Hope you're happy with latest vehicle either way.

 

[GearJunkie88]

I just traded in my ‘17 limited for an ‘18 TRD off road. Love the truck but the seats are different. The material is completely different. That being said the dealer is installing AC into the seats so as for as coolness goes that’s being taken care of. The “comfort” is a little different but the AC makes up the difference.

As far a push button I still get into the truck with my key in my pocket and reach for the button only to then, uncomfortably, dig them out.

Hope this helps.

Wait. What!? You can get cooled seats installed in the Off Road??? I want this! How did you go about making this happen? Is there a part I can buy? Can it only be installed by a dealer? Do you mind if I ask how much this costs? I find the vinyl seats very hot in the Texas summer.

 

[Megilly]

OR seats have been great,
I'm 3 months in

 

[swim.bike.run]

Wait. What!? You can get cooled seats installed in the Off Road??? I want this! How did you go about making this happen? Is there a part I can buy? Can it only be installed by a dealer? Do you mind if I ask how much this costs? I find the vinyl seats very hot in the Texas summer.

So my LE had the air seats and when I was trading it in I told the dealer that my main hold up was not getting that same feature in the off road. He said that’s not a problem that it can be installed. I went home and looked it up and sure enough lots of companies do it. Apperantly there are a few where I live that work with the dealer which then allows the dealer to warranty the product and install. Essentially they remove the middle portion of the seat, install the fans and then replace the leather or material with a perforated version. Operates exactly like OEM. I’ll check my purchase order in the morning to let you know the price. This was all thrown in so their number may not be what it actually costs. I can also find the companies local to me if you want to get some info.

 

[JSparky]

If you've got the option I say go to a different dealer and sit in another pair of vehicles to see if the differences are as striking, every seat is different. I had a 2013 trail with dealer installed katskinz leather (they also offer heat and ventilation options) and think those seats are more comfortable than the ones they're using now (any trim). Katskinz leather is nice and thick too.

I have a 16 Limited now and did notice the difference in the seats when I was looking. The Limited uses real leather whereas the TRD and sr5 use softex material. In general the softex upholstery never seemed fit properly to the seats on any of the trail and sr5 models I looked at. Regardless though the difference wasn't big enough for me to base a decision off of, there were other features of the Limited I wanted.

On the air conditoned vs ventilated seat thing, very few vehicles on the market have true air conditioned seats. I find Toyota's system to work pretty well for me, there's vents on the floor that the fans suck cold air up from pretty good. My brothers grand Cherokee has ventilated seats as well but they use a negative pressure method (seats suck instead of blow) and they don't work nearly as well.. he's actually quite jealous of the 4Runner's seats. To each their own though, best of luck.

 

[swim.bike.run]

If you've got the option I say go to a different dealer and sit in another pair of vehicles to see if the differences are as striking, every seat is different. I had a 2013 trail with dealer installed katskinz leather (they also offer heat and ventilation options) and think those seats are more comfortable than the ones they're using now (any trim). Katskinz leather is nice and thick too.

I have a 16 Limited now and did notice the difference in the seats when I was looking. The Limited uses real leather whereas the TRD and sr5 use softex material. In general the softex upholstery never seemed fit properly to the seats on any of the trail and sr5 models I looked at. Regardless though the difference wasn't big enough for me to base a decision off of, there were other features of the Limited I wanted.

On the air conditoned vs ventilated seat thing, very few vehicles on the market have true air conditioned seats. I find Toyota's system to work pretty well for me, there's vents on the floor that the fans suck cold air up from pretty good. My brothers grand Cherokee has ventilated seats as well but they use a negative pressure method (seats suck instead of blow) and they don't work nearly as well.. he's actually quite jealous of the 4Runner's seats. To each their own though, best of luck.

Not to hijack the thread but my pricey Audi Q7 air seats worked half as well as my half priced LE. Again, luxury price does not always equate.

 

[ToyoT4R]

the dealer is installing AC into the seats

One thing I hate on my TRD is the vinyl softex seat covering, it's very hot in the summer. I need to look into installing vented/cooled seats in my rig.

 

[e60ral]

just get the trail seats, they are so much more comfortable than leather or softex

 

[swim.bike.run]

just get the trail seats, they are so much more comfortable than leather or softex

If I'm not mistaken the Trail and Off Road are the same branding for '17 and '18.

 

[e60ral]

whatever the new trail is with the silly C pillar logo, i assume it still has the trail seats

 

[swim.bike.run]

whatever the new trail is with the silly C pillar logo, i assume it still has the trail seats

Yup. Mine came with the softex material.

 

[e60ral]

Yup. Mine came with the softex material.

that's the premium package or you are in a market where all the trails are premium

the base trail (trd offroad) are fabric seats that are different from the SR5 seats and are much better than leather or softex in both hot and cold temps

 

[swim.bike.run]

that's the premium package or you are in a market where all the trails are premium

the base trail (trd offroad) are fabric seats that are different from the SR5 seats and are much better than leather or softex in both hot and cold temps

I don't have fabric in mine and there wasn't that option at my dealer. I just figured all off roads came with the softex.

 

[Chilei]

Thanks to everyone who took the time to chime in. I thought I would give an update to you all.

We went to a different dealer who had a 2018 TRD Offroad Premium. We took a drive and she immediately expressed the comfort of the seat. I wasn't planning on buying that day but then again, I am not an idiot so I seized upon the opportunity. I LOVE the thing! Got the Blue. We have taken one trip on it and wish it had lumbar adjustment available in the passenger seat but hey, can't have everything!

Again, thanks to all, it was a lot of information and we did end up getting the one I wanted so win/win! Now I am sponging information off this site!