Rear Seat Comfort

davintosh · #1 09-08-2014, 03:03 PM

I had the unfortunate opportunity to ride in the back seat of our X5 for the trip back from my in-laws' house. The trip was about an hour & 15 minutes, which was about an hour & 10 minutes longer than my butt & back could stand; that rear seat is crap compared to the fronts! I can't believe I inflicted that punishment on my wife this spring for a trip to NC and back.

Anybody else ever spend enough time in the back seat to notice how nasty they are? Anybody know of any retrofits that could improve things without drastically changing the look?

Ricky Bobby · #2 09-08-2014, 03:17 PM

Dave, funny you mention that, because my in laws just spent an hour in the X5 backseat on the way to a winery recently, and they both remarked it was among the most comfortable they have been in a while.

They both drive Toyotas (Rav4 and Highlander) for comparison, and they did appreciate the power rear reclining feature on the X5.

I'd imagine maybe some reworking of the internals maybe to improve comfort?

davintosh · #3 09-08-2014, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Dave, funny you mention that, because my in laws just spent an hour in the X5 backseat on the way to a winery recently, and they both remarked it was among the most comfortable they have been in a while.

They both drive Toyotas (Rav4 and Highlander) for comparison, and they did appreciate the power rear reclining feature on the X5.

I'd imagine maybe some reworking of the internals maybe to improve comfort?

I'm maybe a bit larger than your in-laws; 6'2", ~230lbs.

But you have power recline? That isn't a feature on mine; didn't even realize that was available! The seat back folds down for cargo and that's about it. Only one position when not folded down. I wonder if there is something different in between the ones with & without recline...

Ricky Bobby · #4 09-08-2014, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davintosh

I'm maybe a bit larger than your in-laws; 6'2", ~230lbs.

But you have power recline? That isn't a feature on mine; didn't even realize that was available! The seat back folds down for cargo and that's about it. Only one position when not folded down. I wonder if there is something different in between the ones with & without recline...

Yeah my in laws are like 5'9" and 5'3" respectively.

And yeah power recline rear seatbacks were an option although not sure on which package, there are switches on the rear pillars when the hatch is open (in case you wanted to move the seatbacks forward more for grocery storage), and switches on the dome light on the headliner if you are sitting back there and want to move up/back.

I will say that my rear seat backs always get reclined fully, if they were not it would be way too straight up! Maybe your non-power backs are in a more upright position that is more uncomfortable?

bcredliner · #5 09-08-2014, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davintosh

I'm maybe a bit larger than your in-laws; 6'2", ~230lbs.

But you have power recline? That isn't a feature on mine; didn't even realize that was available! The seat back folds down for cargo and that's about it. Only one position when not folded down. I wonder if there is something different in between the ones with & without recline...

At 6'2" you just discovered backseats are not comfortable for you? Did your wife complain?

thrillcat · #6 09-08-2014, 03:20 PM

I don't generally spend too much time in the back seat, but I did climb back there before I bought it. Lots more leg room than my 2010 Jeep Commander - that had more leg room in the 3rd row than the 2nd row. I didn't find the X5 to be uncomfortable by any means.

My 8 year old loves it.

LeiZ · #7 09-08-2014, 03:29 PM

Shocks need replacement??!! lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by davintosh

I had the unfortunate opportunity to ride in the back seat of our X5 for the trip back from my in-laws' house. The trip was about an hour & 15 minutes, which was about an hour & 10 minutes longer than my butt & back could stand; that rear seat is crap compared to the fronts! I can't believe I inflicted that punishment on my wife this spring for a trip to NC and back.

Anybody else ever spend enough time in the back seat to notice how nasty they are? Anybody know of any retrofits that could improve things without drastically changing the look?

Joshdub · #8 09-08-2014, 05:19 PM

I am 6'3 and sat in the back of mine. I found them to be pretty comfortable. But then again I, like RB, have the power rear seats. I think they were only on 03 and up.

bcredliner · #9 09-08-2014, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshdub

I am 6'3 and sat in the back of mine. I found them to be pretty comfortable. But then again I, like RB, have the power rear seats. I think they were only on 03 and up.

I have reclining rear seats on my 2002.

TerminatorX5 · #10 09-08-2014, 05:39 PM

I sometimes "slug" for work - it is when i ride in stranger's cars back and to work on daily basis. As a result, i have slugged in many different cars, sometimes front, sometimes back seats... there were couple X5s. some X3s, the ride is anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 hours one way.

By all the means, the X was not the most uncomfortable back seats...

Worst - the Jeep Wrangler, both 2- and 4-door versions... the 2-door version, i thought i will fly out the car through the canvas, even though buckled up...

worst cars - the 650... both front, and the back seats were killers, the bimmer was a convertible, with top closed... i barely squeezed my a$$ into the back seat, and had to fold in half to get into the front

the best ones were the GM products, Tahoe, Suburban and the like, it was like sitting in couch in front of my TV at home...

The X5s that I rode, the ones without the recliner were not as comfortable as the ones with the recliners...

I am 5'10 or so (175cm) and not the skinniest guy out there!!!