Concrete Seat Get Any Better?

Hi all,

I posted an intro a few days ago and admitted to being Tundra-Curious. I don't own one yet, but I'm doing my homework in preparation of buying one. On it's face, it looks like exactly what I want.

However, I sat in my first Tundra the other day, a 2019 Limited. It's very nice but . . . I can't get over the leather seat. It was as hard as flat concrete - TERRIBLE. If it stays that way, it's a deal-breaker - uncomfortable as all get-out.

So, for you guys in the know, does that seat work in, in short order, and become more comfortable . . . or will it stay that way? I would only consider it if it does significantly improve.

I have yet to check out the Platinum or the 1794, although I'd rather not go into those editions just for different seats. It seems like a waste of money for me just to get better seats, if they truly are an improvement. I really don't care about the other stuff they might offer . . . like blowing cold air up my behind.

So, will I find the seat as concrete-esque in the 1794 & Platinum models as I found in the Limited? When I can find the time, I'll try them out, but I hate jerking around a salesman just to compare seats. If the answers all show that the seats are made of the same concrete and are just as uncomfortable, I know it'll be time to look elsewhere.

Thanks for any direction y'all may have.

 

The platinum seats are significantly more comfortable. A few weeks before I got my truck I spent a few days in my buddies limited. I fell in love with the truck but hated the seats. I was hurting after just a 3 hour drive. I wanted a tundra bad but told myself I wouldn't do it just based on the seat comfort. Fast forward a few weeks and I was at Toyota getting my tacomas frame inspected (it failed) and they had just (that day) taken in a 1 year old platinum on a lease upgrade. So I said let's take it for a drive. Well I bought it the next day. The ass coolers are actually very nice. Unless you like chrome and wood grain panels the platinum is a nice upgrade in that department as well (will cost at least a grand to dechrome a limited).
The power fold mirrors are helpful as is the memory seats, steering wheel, and mirrors. Its worth the extra money IMO.

 

I don’t mind the Limited seat. I’ve had my 2018 for a year and half and the seat feels the same, I don’t feel like it has ‘broken in’ at all.

Definitely check out the 1794 and especially the Platinum just to try out the seats and compare them. I agree that it’s a lot more to pay just for a more comfortable seat, but if you drive a lot maybe that would be worth it for you. It won’t hurt to try out the Platinum seats.

 

Both front seats in the platinum and 1794 also offer more adjustability, I like the under the knee support a lot.

 

You would be happier with another model it sounds like. Buy a Tundra for reliability and looks. Buy a Ford or Chevy if you want to drive a Cadillac. My SR5 seats are very comfortable.

 

I love my Limited seat.

 

The Platinum and the 1794 have what is considered "Lexus grade" leather. Significant difference, as it should be for the price. I test drove a Limited, a PRO, and a Platinum. It was essentially a no brainier after I drove the Platinum. After all, every single second you are driving... You are sitting in your seat. It BETTER be comfortable!!!

 

If I could have gotten a Platinum in Inferno, I probably would have done that. ...maybe one day I'll swap the seats

 

Platnium has the best seats of any vehicle ive owned in the last 20 years...highest quality leather too. My truck was 5 years old when I bought it...conditioned the seats when i bought it and parked it in the garage for a week. Rich leather smell almost knocked me over when I opened the door! I could soak my Rav4 or 2016 GMC leather in that stuff repeatedly and....nothing. I had forgotten how nice real leather is!

 

Well if you decide to go with one of the big 3, at least you’ll have a comfortable seat to sit in as you’re on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck.

 

I struggled with this but when I sat in my 1794, it was all over. There are significant upgrades not just to the seats. But I was able to get the 1794 for only a little more than the limited so it was an easier decision.

 

Our shop truck is a '19 F150 Lariat. Seats are much more comfortable than my Limited. I'm sure the price is alot more too.

Point is, if you like Toyota, pony up for the trim you like. You probaby wont save any more money going to another truck with a higher trim and nice leather seat.

 

I've been into cycling for many decades, and had purchased a very nice ti railed Brooks racing saddle once (basically thick hard leather stretched over metal frame). It was hard, and I read up on how some people were putting leather conditioner/softener on theirs then whacking it with a baseball bat repeatedly in an attempt to speed up the break-in. I just road the snot out of it and it did break in nicely, conforming to my backside but at first it was like sitting on a rock. I can't imagine the Limited seats not breaking in with use; that's just what leather does. I could swear that my seats feel better now than when I bought mine in December. Perhaps some of the issue is the padding (which won't have a break-in), as some on this site have mentioned, and/or the lumbar support, which someone here had removed to soften the overall feel of the back. Yea if it's that painful and too much trouble to try and fix, and Platinum or 1794 is the bees knees of seats, then maybe it's just easier to go that route. Thankfully I like the seats, I sit in them 2.5 to 3 hours a day in traffic and find them quite comfy.

 

Even though we all know MGM is the fastest color, I agree, my SR5 seats are very comfy! If you want the premium look and feel of leather get a Katskinz kit and you're set!

 

I have platinum and seats are awful and I bough it used with 30k miles on it. So I’m pretty sure it was well “broke in” by the time I got it. I had 2nd gen and it had really comfy seats.

 

My Platinum seats are just as nice and comfy as our GX470’s were and those were some of the best I’ve ever rode in.

 

I LOVE MY SECOUND GEN SEATS O wait no one asked that lol

 

I had a 2018 Limited and hated the seats. I really wish I would have spent the extra on a Platinum, not just for the seats but also for the memory seats and power folding mirrors.

 

Never try the Platinum seats, it will ruin everything without Platinum seats forever...

 

Leather is stiffer than cloth for sure and will never feel like it. But there is no guarantee that cloth seats will feel good. My 1st gen cloth seats, once I got used to them, felt great. But at first they were awful. Not the bottom, the backside. Made my mid/lower back ache like, 'what's wrong with my kidneys, man'. I adjusted and adjusted but finally gave up trying to make them feel like my '94. Then the aches just stopped maybe a month after I bought it, guess I got used to it, because there is no break in really for the cloth. You just sink in. You don't, with leather (at least not the stiff leather that I am familiar with on my Limited.) To me the leather feels 'supportive' like a good racing bicycle seat. You don't sink in like on a beach cruiser. Maybe that's why I like it. I'm used to sitting on hard seats LOL.

Maybe a gel cushion, if the issue is with the bottom? Heck, I wonder if anyone has tried putting one of those gel cushions under the leather...
Something like

$95 Purple Royal Seat Cushion - Seat Cushion for The Car Or Office Chair - Temperature Neutral Grid

this.

 

I've thought about doing this one as well. If I ever get around to changing out the seat covers it was something I may end out trying.

 

I hated my SR5 seats. I thought they were so hard and bulky. I eventually either got used to it, or the seat broke in. I don't have any complaints 6 months in now.

 

I didn't even know this was a thing. I seriously get out of my Tundra and think "Damn, I love these seats." lol. I have a cloth seated Sequoia and some sort of hybrid fabric in a 2017 F350. I absolutely love the Tundra seats and hate driving around in the other vehicles, but I guess we're all different.

 

My 2014 Sierra had more comfortable seats than my 1794. That said, The Sierra leather seats split inside of 45k miles in Hawaii, ina garage. One of the panels had the leather flaking off as well.


Do with that info what you will.

 

I ageee with the Sierra seats being very comfortable. But like someone else said, I like the trucks reliability and all around “badassness” than the seats. My 2015 SR5 w/ 50k are downright terrible. Great material but stone hard. Thinking of adding some foam or padding under the seats cover, might help a little