Uncomfortable Volvo Seats - why?

[Hogster]

Out of interest, what seats are in the Cross Country versions of the V60? Are they the Momentum spec, or Inscription seats?

[100K+]

Volvo seats, as well as interiors have suffered in recent years IMHO of being more concerned with image over function. The front seats in my 2002 V70 T5 were huge (by comparison) arm chair affairs. Didn't look that nice but were supremely comfortable, as is my 2004 V70 Awd R. My 2015 V70 seats look nicer, neater, smaller, but they are no where near as comfortable. This i found translated into a pre 2017 Xc60 as well as a current v90.
The only seat I found as comfortable as my old V70 was an old Saab 9.5 estate.
Cheers Bob ( 6'2" 16.5 stone).

[weemark]

Think the conclusion again is that the seats (with the possible exception of the Momentum spec) are pretty much marmite. Confirms the importance of insisting on a minimum 2 hour (ideally 24 hr so you can test headlights etc) test drive, covering a variety of road conditions

[Discoman]

Originally Posted by weemark

Think the conclusion again is that the seats (with the possible exception of the Momentum spec) are pretty much marmite. Confirms the importance of insisting on a minimum 2 hour (ideally 24 hr so you can test headlights etc) test drive, covering a variety of road conditions

You certainly need to do whatever you think is necessary to make the right purchase. I could tell straight away which seats I wanted which narrowed down the model choice materially. It was then just engine (from two) and options.

[LRS]

Been off forum for some time and now looking to sell on the old XC90 for a new XC60.

It’s really sad to hear that the old uncomfortable seats issue is still plaguing Volvo. I remember all too well when I ordered my MY11 XC90 it was during a face lift change and I had no idea they were planning to change the seat design and only when I received the car discovered this and was quite disappointed. Before this my S60 and my wife’s S40 seats were also lovely.

The pre-MY11 XC90 demonstrator that I drove was lovely, with those super comfortable arm chair seats. The new MY11 seats however were a great disappointment and felt more like they should belong in an old Japanese car! So small, with no squidgyness, like sitting atop a padded board – yuck.

Seats are a big issue for me as there is nothing worse than sitting on bad ones for long periods – just compare old 747s with A380 planes, with newer plane seats feeling like wooden park benches.

I will need to really scrutinise the seats in the new MY22 XC60 and make sure they will pass.

Cheers
LRS

[gaby]

Originally Posted by LRS

It’s really sad to hear that the old uncomfortable seats issue is still plaguing Volvo.

I don't feel () this is, or ever was the case.
Perhaps car seats are not unlike shoes, no model that fits eveyone?

[LRS]

Originally Posted by gaby

I don't feel () this is, or ever was the case.
Perhaps car seats are not unlike shoes, no model that fits eveyone?

Totally agree – different strokes for different folks.

However, apart from personal preference, there was a shift by Volvo regards their seat design around 2010 onwards where they became firmer and shorter in length – more sporty in style.

This change always surprised me when you consider Volvo’s biggest market and focus is North America where car seats lean towards being more plush and cushiony as well as larger in size – drive a Cadillac or Buick and see. Or sit in an older pre-2010 Volvo.

This change may be down to a lot of people buying the Volvo sport models rather than the luxury models, which may have influenced Volvo towards a firmer more compact seat design across the range.

Cheers

[gaby]

Originally Posted by LRS

However, apart from personal preference, there was a shift by Volvo regards their seat design around 2010 onwards where they became firmer...

Perhaps this is why I like the (current) standard Momentum seats so much, I like
firm(er) seats, better support and less fatiguing on longer rides.

[AB-UK]

Originally Posted by LRS

Totally agree – different strokes for different folks.

However, apart from personal preference, there was a shift by Volvo regards their seat design around 2010 onwards where they became firmer and shorter in length – more sporty in style.

This change always surprised me when you consider Volvo’s biggest market and focus is North America where car seats lean towards being more plush and cushiony as well as larger in size – drive a Cadillac or Buick and see. Or sit in an older pre-2010 Volvo.

This change may be down to a lot of people buying the Volvo sport models rather than the luxury models, which may have influenced Volvo towards a firmer more compact seat design across the range.

Cheers

I see so many R Designs on the Volvo Selekt website and I wonder if it's as a result of buyers being intrigued by the notion of a "Sports" model but then disappointed by the relatively uncomfortable seats, not helped by the stiffer suspension and lower profile tyres.

[js90]

I just spent 8 hours in the R-Design seats. They're... okay. Once I'm wedged perfectly in the middle it's fine, but I've never had that problem with any of the other Volvo seats - they tend to be comfortable from any position.

They're definitely designed with the slimmer driver in mind...