Do the seats on a new LR4 soften a bit?

[danrhiggins]

As we get closer to our '14 LR4 arriving (early June) and the final decision on whether to buy I took my wife on her first test drive. She was good with a lot of things but commented that the seats were pretty firm. I couldn't argue when compared to our Acura MDX Advance (which has upgraded seats.) I don't believe it is a show stopper but can I expect the seats to "give" or "soften" a little. (We drove an HSE and the one we have ordered is a LUX so I know the leather will be different in ours but not sure it will affect the firmness of the seats. What experience have any of you had?

 

[TXLR4]

Theres a noticeable difference in the leather between the HSE and LUX. Definitely on the firmer side, but it has begun soften a little. My experience has been that you'd rather have it a little firmer from the beginning because its eventually going to soften...its nothing but foam inside the seats and it does break down over time.

 

[Finlayforprez]

Theres a noticeable difference in the leather between the HSE and LUX. Definitely on the firmer side, but it has begun soften a little. My experience has been that you'd rather have it a little firmer from the beginning because its eventually going to soften...its nothing but foam inside the seats and it does break down over time.

I agree. I have had both a non-Lux and a Lux and the seats/leather are very different. The Lux leather seats are a lot softer than the non-Lux. Did you test drive a non-Lux?

I have noticed that they do soften up a bit, but do tend to be firmer than other cars I have driven/owned. I am pretty OCD about cleaning and conditioning the leather, so that keeps it in great condition and soft.

 

[danrhiggins]

I agree. I have had both a non-Lux and a Lux and the seats/leather are very different. The Lux leather seats are a lot softer than the non-Lux. Did you test drive a non-Lux?

Thanks, All! That is what I was hoping. They did not have a Lux for us to text drive so as you thought it was a non-LUX. I know the leather is different. Wasn't sure if the seat might be a bit softer. In any case it sounds like it will certainly be good enough if not great. My MDX seat is almost too soft - like I am sinking into a sofa. But my wife did raise the topic and I wanted to make sure she was OK.

I have been the one driving this whole process and I want to make sure she is on board. ;-)

The funny thing was that I have tried to downplay the off road aspects of the vehicle with her. She knows I'll do some but I have assured her I wouldn't ask or expect her to do stuff she considers "scary". (She is very adamant about that.) But on the test drive she was wanting to drive up on rocks and into ditches along the side of the road! LOL! I was the one who was concerned as it was only a test drive vehicle.

 

[Finlayforprez]

Thanks, All! That is what I was hoping. They did not have a Lux for us to text drive so as you thought it was a non-LUX. I know the leather is different. Wasn't sure if the seat might be a bit softer. In any case it sounds like it will certainly be good enough if not great. My MDX seat is almost too soft - like I am sinking into a sofa. But my wife did raise the topic and I wanted to make sure she was OK.

I have been the one driving this whole process and I want to make sure she is on board. ;-)

The funny thing was that I have tried to downplay the off road aspects of the vehicle with her. She knows I'll do some but I have assured her I wouldn't ask or expect her to do stuff she considers "scary". (She is very adamant about that.) But on the test drive she was wanting to drive up on rocks and into ditches along the side of the road! LOL! I was the one who was concerned as it was only a test drive vehicle.

Women are usually "scared" of going off roading. Though, we have a few ladies in my Land Rover club who are quite adventurous off road.

I think you and your wife will be happy with the Lux seats. The difference is quite noticeable between the two trim levels. I thought the non-lux seats were a lot more firm, compared to the Lux seats.

 

[epiclr4]

Dan:

I will say I thought the first long road trip in my LUX was a little hard but since then the seats have broken in fine and are plenty comfortable. We regularly take 6.5 hr drives (about every other weekend) and love the Rover to death.

 

[RedGTS]

The Lux leather is definitely softer but that has nothing to do with whether the seats are soft or firm to sit in. If the Lux seats are also softer, I'd hate to drive a non-Lux because I find the seat in my Lux pretty firm. Or maybe it just doesn't fit me correctly. Whatever the case, after an hour or so of driving my lower back starts hurting and I can't seem to find a way to adjust the seat to keep it from happening. The much softer feeling seats in my Tahoe (with much crappier leather of course) didn't bother me, so maybe my back needs more of a sofa seat or something.

 

[epiclr4]

The Lux leather is definitely softer but that has nothing to do with whether the seats are soft or firm to sit in. If the Lux seats are also softer, I'd hate to drive a non-Lux because I find the seat in my Lux pretty firm. Or maybe it just doesn't fit me correctly. Whatever the case, after an hour or so of driving my lower back starts hurting and I can't seem to find a way to adjust the seat to keep it from happening. The much softer feeling seats in my Tahoe (with much crappier leather of course) didn't bother me, so maybe my back needs more of a sofa seat or something.

I would say the seats in a Tahoe are much wider and flatter. Not nearly as shaped as the LR4 seats try to be.

 

[RedGTS]

I would say the seats in a Tahoe are much wider and flatter. Not nearly as shaped as the LR4 seats try to be.

I agree. Unfortunately I think the shape of the seats doesn't seem to match up well with the shape of my lower back or something. Or maybe it's just that the bottom seat cushion is much firmer and doesn't allow me to sink in it as much.

 

[Finlayforprez]

I agree. Unfortunately I think the shape of the seats doesn't seem to match up well with the shape of my lower back or something. Or maybe it's just that the bottom seat cushion is much firmer and doesn't allow me to sink in it as much.

We have a Tahoe and I think the leather is crappy, but the seats are very comfortable. I love my LR4 seats and the Lux leather is beautiful quality, but I have to agree that they are rather firm. In fact, I have also noticed my butt and back kind of hurt on long rides. I know this sounds like I am an old woman, but I have actually sat on a pillow a few times. Hahaha.