Titanium Thigh Seat Bolster - Uncomfortable?

[scn101]

I'm in the market for a new car and would like to get a hybrid. The FFH has a real appeal to me offering heated AND cooled seats in the Titanium trim. I've been on a few test drives and always noticed the lower seat bolster seems to both my left thigh a bit. So my worry is that after a long drive it may become unmanageable. Adjusting seat tilt helps a bit. I could get an SE but then I forego cooled seats. I'm 6', 180lbs so not too large I think!

 

Any opinions? Anyone experience the same thing at first but now a non-issue? Or fine at first but now an issue?

 

I can see myself taking the car to an upholstery center to soften the left lower seat bolster cushion material but with heated/cooled/air bag stuff in the seat I fear this might not be feasible nor wise.

 

Any thoughts or experience feedback appreciated!

[jeff_h]

Yes, the seats between the SE and Titanium are quite different, SE are more squishy with more room to move side-to-side; Titanium seats are firmer with more side support that holds you in place more securely.

 

This is one where you definitely need to go to a dealer and sit in each one yourself to see which you like.

[hybridbear]

If you tip the front of the seat down does it not bother you? The seats in the SE with leather package are incredibly comfortable. We've done two road trips of 4500 miles each and the seats are very comfortable even after 14-16 hours driving in one day.

Edited January 12, 2014 by hybridbear

[acdii]

This is my only negative about the HyTi, the seats are no where near as comfortable as in the SE Luxury package. I have taken long trips in both and the SE seats are better for long trips, but I was no worse for wear in the HyTi. At some point I plan to replace the seat cushion with an SE type, it wont affect the heater. For the ventilated seats, as long as the bottom cushion has the holes in the foam and cover, then they will still function. You would need a custom skin made for it though.

 

For the record, YES, it does bother my left thigh, and I can still feel it after two hours.

[inco]

I'm not a fan of leather seats and so I always try to stick with cloth when I can. However, while my SE will have cloth seats, it will also have the appearance package which gives you a different 'looking' seat with the red stitching. I wonder if the build of the seat is different in that they are firmer than a stock SE seat.

Anyone know? :noobie:

[jeffo65]

I'm not a fan of leather seats and so I always try to stick with cloth when I can. However, while my SE will have cloth seats, it will also have the appearance package which gives you a different 'looking' seat with the red stitching. I wonder if the build of the seat is different in that they are firmer than a stock SE seat.

Anyone know? :noobie:

We also have the Appearance package with the "Unique EcoCloth seats with REPREVE® fabric" and find them very comfortable. I do not know if they are more or less comfortable than the SE seats with out the Appearance package.

[scn101]

Thanks for all the replies. That's what I was worried about, that the HyTi seats would be less comfortable than the SE. I so would like the cooled seats but they're not available on the SE.

 

On another note, I took a 2014 Honda Accord EX Hybrid out for a test drive today. The cabin felt tighter than the Fusion and guess what? The seat kidney bolsters were jabbing me all the time...I'm a 34" waist so I'm not too large. I ruled out the Accord. One the plus side, it is a very peppy drive train though nowhere near as refined as the Fusion.

Edited January 14, 2014 by scn101

[acdii]

The interior on the HyTi and non HyTi Ti are the same, so if they dont have a HyTi, test drive a non HyTi Ti and see how they feel.

[hybridbear]

I just did a 3.5 hour drive this morning in the Titanium and I didn't find the seat to be any less comfortable than I remembered the seat in the SE being. I suppose it will be different for each individual person.

[tr7driver]

I agree, its is an individual preference. I find the titanium seat more comfortable if I adjust it so I sit more upright. We have taken it on a few long road trips across the country and it is nice to be able to make all the adjustments to the seat position. I wish my passenger seat had the height adjustment. I'm a freak in that I'm relatively tall, but I have a short inseam and long torso, so headroom is important to me. In my 2010 I had to recline the driver's seat slightly to avoid hitting my head on the moonroof edge, making road trips less comfortable.

[GrySql]

I agree, its is an individual preference. I find the titanium seat more comfortable if I adjust it so I sit more upright. We have taken it on a few long road trips across the country and it is nice to be able to make all the adjustments to the seat position. I wish my passenger seat had the height adjustment.

For long road trips the seat adjustment capabilities are key.

No matter how perfect the seat adjustment is for short jaunts, sitting for a few hours in one position is going to get uncomfortable.

My SE seats are exceptionally comfortable for my wife and I but we do use the seat adjustments when traveling.

[hermans]

At the start of the week I was in So Cal for a couple of days. I rented a 2015 Fusion Titanium and put a couple of hundred miles with a few trips up and down the 405. I did feel a difference in the seats between my FFH and the MKZh. I thought they were not as comfortable.

[Riggo]

The heated and ventilated titanium seats have more cushion than the regular titanium seats. They look almost the same if you didn't know any better.

[SteveB_TX]

At the start of the week I was in So Cal for a couple of days. I rented a 2015 Fusion Titanium and put a couple of hundred miles with a few trips up and down the 405. I did feel a difference in the seats between my FFH and the MKZh. I thought they were not as comfortable.

 

I dread riding in the FFH. The seats are sooooo hard. Give me the cushy for my tushy in the MKZh. :)

Edited October 24, 2014 by SteveB_TX

[acdii]

One of the reasons I went with the MKT was in the thought the seats would be more cushy, but turns out they really are no different than the Flex seats. I was disappointed a bit about that. I am still torn about getting the T over the Flex, it has features I can't get in the Flex, yet lacks the room of the Flex, and the uniqueness of it too. I think the boxy styling is what I miss most. Anyhow, the Ti seats are also not very comfortable for long drives when you have hip pain.

[GrySql]

One of the reasons I went with the MKT was in the thought the seats would be more cushy, but turns out they really are no different than the Flex seats. I was disappointed a bit about that. I am still torn about getting the T over the Flex, it has features I can't get in the Flex, yet lacks the room of the Flex, and the uniqueness of it too. I think the boxy styling is what I miss most. Anyhow, the Ti seats are also not very comfortable for long drives when you have hip pain.

After all your previous comments about how much you liked your Flex we went and drove one - and bought it. :)

The big leather seats are great.

It is unique in so many ways, an amazing amount of room for seven passengers in a small, luxurious, powerful, quiet package. Love it.

Thanks!

Edited October 24, 2014 by GrySql

[djminfll]

Like pretty much everyone else has already said, seat comfort is a matter of preference. Personally, I don't think anything will ever be as comfortable as my old 2007 Volvo S60. But when I was shopping for my FFH, I sat side by side in an SE, SE leather, and Titanium. I found the Titanium seats too firm, I thought they would not be comfortable on a long trip. I drive from the Atlantic coast to the Gulf coast of Florida almost every weekend, and when I adjust the lumbar support, I arrive feeling perfect, no strained muscles, no back pain. But to be honest, my friend has a gas powered 2014 Titanium Fusion, and the seats in her car are more comfortable than I thought they were in the 2013 I test drove. Did they change anything from '13 to '14?

[Riggo]

Did your friend have the heated and ventilated seats?

[hybridbear]

The only discomfort I have from driving long-distance is because of sitting on my wallet. It's too thick! Not with cash, unfortunately, but with all sorts of random cards. I always have to take it out of my pocket when I'm driving long-distance, in every car I've ever had, not just the Fusion. I can tell that the Titanium seats are stiffer though because I more quickly feel the pain of sitting on my wallet.

[md13ffhguy]

The only discomfort I have from driving long-distance is because of sitting on my wallet. It's too thick! Not with cash, unfortunately, but with all sorts of random cards. I always have to take it out of my pocket when I'm driving long-distance, in every car I've ever had, not just the Fusion. I can tell that the Titanium seats are stiffer though because I more quickly feel the pain of sitting on my wallet.

Is your real name George?

 

George's Exploding Wallet:

[acdii]

LOL

 

I carry mine in a jacket pocket, or stuff it away somewhere in the car. 20 seconds sitting on one and my entire leg from ass to toe is in pain.

[scn101]

When I originally posted this I was still looking at the Fusion. I ended up buying a HyTi and am enjoying it for the most part. I now have 8500 miles on it and have done several 300 (one-way) trips. The seats are comfortable, not perfect, but comfortable. No real complaints. The Ti seats are great for the odd time you take a corner quickly as they do hold you well. But IMHO I think they'd be better for normal driving if the bolsters were a little more relaxed.

 

My only "real" issue is with the AC. It stinks when first turned on. The smell never really goes away fully when the AC is on but after 30 seconds or so it get less noticeable. I definitely need to get this taken care of and have been watching the other thread on this issue. My dealer here in North Texas (Plano) has never done the job so if anyone has had this done somewhere near my locale please let me know.

[Ford Fusion 2015 user]

i developed severe SCIATICA about a month after buying my new 2015 Fusion Titanium Energy. I woke up one morning and had it. I never had it before. I have had two epidural spinal injections and take lots of medications daily. I now notice that a ridge in the seat aggravates the sciatica. I am now opening my mind up to ask could it be the cause? For now I am going to buy a seat cusion to raise me up out of the smaller cup of a seat. I also feel as others do that this car has a low seat and an un natural reach for the pedals. My height is 5'9" and my weight is way above average.

 

Best of Luck to anyone else suffering with this!

[BiXLL]

I have no complaints at all! I came from a very soft riding toyota avalon, and while my HiTy isnt as soft, it handles much more responsive and is every bit as comfortable as the avalon. I am loving my car more every day