seats are so uncomfortable!

[pathymr2]

I've had my pathy for about 3 weeks now and I'm growing quite fond of it, however one problem which is not going away is how uncomfortable the seats are. My other car is a '93 MR2, and I can easily drive for 3-4 hours with no discomfort at all, but my back starts hurting after 10 minutes in the pathfinder.

Does anyone else have this problem? Is there some kind of solution or cushion anyone has had success with? I'm about to drive 1600 miles from Washington DC to Denver and I'm actually quite excited about it, however I'm fearing I'll be in moderate pain the whole way out. I've adjusted the seat/lumbar to no end and I've been able to make things a little better, but nowhere near comfortable. I have manual leather seats.

Thanks for any help!!
Kyle

[LunarShroud]

I can't say about qx4 seats, but my dad has a saturn with terribly uncomfortable seats. he uses a gel-type seat cushion that's pretty comfy.

[fueler]

not sure how an mr2 can be comfortable and a pathfinder isn't. sound like you're simply used to riding in small, lowered cars.

i have a 1989 crx si lowered on coilovers and it tends to hurt my back after a few hours of driving. my qx4 on the other hand feels like a cadillac.

[pathymr2]

I've driven other small cars that are not comfortable, but theres something about the MR2 seats that are very comfortable, i have a few friends that agree that oddly the MR2 seats are near or are the most comfortable car seat they've been in. Now, aside from the seat of course the pathy is more comfortable...it rides smoother, roomier, quieter etc. I'm not that big so that could be another reason. Taller people don't find the MR2 as comfortable as I do.

Anyway, I believe the problem has to do with just how hard the seats are. My friend who is driving out with me has the same comments. I'm thinking of possibly getting new foam put into the seats. I tried a "add-on" cushion but it just slides around on the leather and is very akward (although did stop my back from hurting...)

Thanks for the replies,

Kyle

[Pathofinder]

I love my pathfinders seats, 6 hours to VA is no problem

[Chuck Tribolet]

I love my pathfinders seats, 6 hours to VA is no problem

Me too. In fact, the driver's seat of my '01 PF SE is the most comfortable seat I sit in regularly.
I had a bout of sciatica a while back, and it always felt better after a ride in the PF.

[01silvapathy]

Im comfy in my pathy even with a big lift, it still rides pretty awesome. Sure its more truck like than stock but its no where near what a lifted jeep rides like.

[TakeOffEh]

I agree with you, the seats suck. I'm a big guy, 6'5"/240lbs, and the thigh bolsters dig into me so badly they cause discomfort after 5 minutes of driving. Leg room isn't the greatest either, I have more leg room in my G35C and the driver seat is great.

[sicwitit]

Thats kind of funny, I was in the MR2 world from 98-to 2008 when I sold my last MR2, a 92 V6. The MR2 is supprising a comfortable fit. you don't really sit in an MR2 as much as you get into it. Its kind of like sitting in a jet fighter cockpit. As for the Pathfinder being uncomfortable, the stock seats don't really hold you, and are quite stiff. you have a couple options really, find an upolster shop, and have them take the seats apart and put in a better padding, I think they can even install memory foam, and rewrap them. you might want to give Catzkins a call too, I know they have rewrap kits for the new pathy, so I'm sure they can help you out.

Or buy some aftermarket rails, and some Recaro seats...that should do it.

[740fizza]

As for back support, without an articulating back rest and a decent lumbar support system both of which the Q lacks, you can't really have very comfy seats for hours of driving (IMO). But for the most part they seem good enough I guess. Does the heat help at all during the colder months?

[sicwitit]

The heat is nice, I miss it in my Lexus but the replacements I put in it are way more comfy!

Recaro makes sliders and brackets for our Pathfinders, If I ever find the time, and the right seats, I will probably be changing them, but right now with my list of projects I've got going on, its not a priority.

[dkilgore11]

You might need a different car or custom seats. I actually returned a 4runner to carmax cause the seats killed me after half an hour - And I really wanted a 4runner. I have a serious bad back and the 99 PF I got is awesome for me. Also occasionally drive a Lexus ES and can't find a comfortable seat adjustment - so maybe Toyota seats don't like me. Maybe Nissan seats don't like you. Good luck.

[Pathofinder]

Wish mine were heated but other than that there perfect

[mack101]

I would think you would need some time to let your back adjust maybe? I think overall the Pathy seats are decent (I have cloth ones in my 98) and I came from BMW sport seats that had 12 way power adjust

I did a trip to Florida from Canada and no complaints in the back department.

[wisehunter1]

The seats started hurting me after an hour and a half.. until I adjusted it. I tilted the front side of the seat downward and set my lumbar to max. Now I can drive for hours May just be me but its worth a try