How comfortable are the seats in a 4Runner? I considered buying a

4Runner a couple of years ago but bought a used Ford Expedition because I needed a backseat that could handle two full sized car seats and an adult in the middle between the seats for weekend trips. I no longer need the full sized car seats and believe using booster seats would work ok so now the 4Runner is back in consideration. My daily driver is a Toyota Avalon and I am on my 5th Avalon. I have had some back issues and I noticed the seating in the Expedition is far more comfortable for my back than my Avalon. The Expedition drives like a huge lumbering vehicle but the seats are very big and very comfortable. I plan to test drive the 4Runner to experience the difference myself but I am interested in hearing the thoughts of others on how they like the 4Runner seats and if they think they are comfortable. Lastly, I know the 4Runner is an SUV built on a truck frame and understand the ride isn't as good as a true road SUV. I appreciate any thoughts you may have, thank you!

 

I can attest to the Expeditions seats being a bit more comfortable than the 4Runners, but they're both fully adjustable, including lumbar I think. But I haven't done any long sitting trips in the 4Runner yet.

 

Welcome. I would also drive the sequoia if your looking for room and comfort.

 

My SR5 with the so-called leather seats is the most comfortable ride I've been in. to me, beats out the Ranger, Colorado, Expedition and even the Boss' Explorer. Just my butt/back opinion!

 

If you’re skinny, the 4Runner is fine, but if you’re wide in the backside you probably won’t be happy with the seats. Toyota’s are typically narrow in the seats, with the exception of the Tundra and Sequoia.

 

I have an '21 SR5P with the Toyota faux leather seats. The seat padding isn't that thick and not the greatest on your backside. I just bought a 20.00 memory foam cushion seat on Amazon that has improved it. The back of the seat seems fine as it has a lumbar and the seat heater can help my lower back, too.

It rides like a true SUV in my opinion and you can feel some body roll and nose dives at times. But I love driving it and I was originally looking for a bit more luxury SUV before landing on the 4R. I have heard the models with KDSS offer some better riding/driving habits, but there are TONS of discussions on this forum about with or without that you can read up on. For reference, I make 90 minute roundtrip drives a couple of days a week that are mostly highway or backroad highways.

If your budget allows, the new Lexus, Landcruiser or Sequoia may offer better seat comfort - or wait for the 6th gen 4Runner to see what seat improvements it has...good luck!

 

Pretty subjective issue. What feels great to some guys is going to feel like a torture device to others.

I personally have never liked Toyota seats, including the 4Runner's. I wouldn't say they are exactly uncomfortable for me, but they could be so much better. Most other cars that I have sat in are superior in terms of comfort, bolstering, and adjustability.

The Softex especially is the worst. It always makes my back sweat in hot weather and because it is kind of slick I gradually find myself slumping into a flesh puddle over a longer drive and have to pull myself back up. If finding a new "base" Off-Road (non-Premium) wasn't so freaking impossible I would much rather have one of those with the non-Softex seats.

Again, opinions vary, even in the few posts in this thread there are differing opinions on comfort.

 

Haven’t spent time in the leatherette seats but I find my cloth seats comfortable. Bigger issue was the sunroof reducing headroom too much.

Maybe not as comfy as the 98 Sienna and 16 Sorento I’ve daily-driven in the past but some of that might be the seats plus the vertical space allowed by a taller body with no frame.

No complaints though, even sitting for a few hours.

For comparison, I found the base vinyl 2nd-gen Colorado’s seats uncomfortable, and the leather ones only marginally less-so, so YMMV.

 

If I recall there was someone on this forum with a back issues and he could not stand the 4Runner seats. He put it the seat jacks or something like that and allegedly it helped a bit.

 

Major lower back issues here, but I have only done short drives so far on my 23 ORP. My 13 SR5 always caused me issues on “long” drives. I.e around 5 hours. I would have to stop at least 3 times to make it through. After reading the thread regarding seatjackers I am interested to see if that changes the angle enough to make a noticeable difference.

 

I got the seat jackers last year, and they make a huge difference.

 

4runner has narrower style seats. I’m a big guy, but plenty comfortable for me. Your mileage will vary, so make sure to take long test drives.

Odd you said the 4runner doesn’t ride like a true suv. This is one of the last remaining original body on frame SUVs, and it rides like a boat. The ride is as smooth and soft a 90s-00s Crown Victoria. But it has more body roll in turns and pitching on braking. This is an old-school plush, comfortable ride down the road, but handling is not it’s strength.

In contrast to the 4runner, most SUVs today are car-based unibody construction. The suspensions set are up for firmer, more responsive, car-like handling. Don’t get the 4runner if you are looking for car-like handling!

 

My pro seats are amazing compared to the ones in my 17 tacoma. But really apples and oranges

 

I have back problems the seats in my 2020orp are fine for me 2hours a day to work and back. They work for me

 

got a 2019 SR5 4Runner. I love almost everything about the vehicle but the seats kinda suck. ok for around town but we're on the highway often and long trips in this thing are not fun. got my eye on the Limited....thinking the seats on that level might be better.

 

I had a '22 Explorer ST with the massaging seats, and they were a LOT more comfortable than the seats in my 4R Limited. The 4R seats aren't bad, I do a trip down to NC from VA about every other weekend, 150 miles each way, and I'm no worse for wear at the end. I would guess they're definitely not going to be as big as the ones in your Expedition though...

 

I find them to be pretty good but not amazing. Interestingly, I am finding the softex seats in my '23 feel much better to me than the cloth seats in my '19. In any case, you'll need to drive one and find out for yourself if they work for you.

 

As many have mentioned, seat comfort is highly personal. In general, they're "fine." I've had some worse and some quite a bit better. Some dealers are good with an overnight trial if you're a serious buyer and want to try on for fit.

 

Expedition as a vehicle is also more comfortable.

 

Lower back issues in the passenger seat for me. I'm so close to buying the inflatable lumbar support.

 

What is the benefit of the seat jacker if you have height adjustable seats? Couldn't you just adjust the seat front up to the same angle and height as you'd get with the seat jacker?

 

Took a drive to visit my wife’s Aunt yesterday, around 315 miles round trip. With traffic, 3 hours one way. Drove straight through on the way there, stopped for coffee about half way back, was getting sleepy. This was in the same day. New vehicle, 600 miles on odometer. I found the seats firm, but comfortable. Tons of adjustments to get things right. Found myself reclining the seat back and sliding the entire seat itself back as well. A little lumbar support out. Seat down on the deck. Found the sweet spot and set cruise control with pacing on. Oh, seat heater on initially due to leaving at 6:00 am. Pretty darn comfortable to me. Now, I’m a small fella, 5’ 7” 170 lbs. and as others have said a great big fella may not be able to dail in the seat as I did, don’t know. Will have to let my son take her for a drive, he’s 6’3” 220 lbs. I highly recommend driving as many vehicles as possible to find the perfect fit for you. By the way, my son drives a 2013 Toyota Tundra Rock Warrior 4X4 5.7L and loves it.

 

There simply is not enough adjustment for some people. I have a set I'll install soon. I'm only 6'2" but my seat is already set as far as it will go to the rear and the seat base is already tilted up as far as it will go. The underside of my knees/thighs do not contact the seat at the front and it's far more comfortable for me when I have full support.

This is the first vehicle I've owned where I had to have the seat adjusted to the rear most position.

Aside from that issue, the seat is generally comfortable.

 

I installed seat jackers in mine - where it makes a difference is in upper leg support. My upper legs would start to go numb, and I would find myself squirming around in the seat to get relief. After I installed the seat jackers - which lift the front of the seat bottom beyond the adjustability of the power seat - my upper legs feel normal, supported, and comfortable. I find the driver seat comfortable for ten or twelve hour driving trips now. I am also a big guy - six feet tall, but carrying more weight than I should. I am happy and comfortable with my T4R, even on long trips.

Oh, and it is *NOT* a Ford!

Perhaps the OP would be best suited to rent a 4Runner for a few days and see how it feels.

 

I know what you mean. The biggest difference is that it gives you much more support under your lower thighs, and it slides you back into the seat. Doesn't really make sense that you can't find that position with the power adjustable seats, but these made a huge difference for me. I'm never uncomfortable anymore. Also, don't waste your money spending $100 on the popular Desert Does It set. They're just chunks of aluminum, so I went with the cheapest I could find on Amazon. I don't see any cheap ones on their site anymore, so I would go with Ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3555423630...MIto2kiumqhQMVeklHAR1FWgWEEAQYBCABEgI2jvD_BwE

 

Try the seat jackers, huge difference for me:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3555423630...MIto2kiumqhQMVeklHAR1FWgWEEAQYBCABEgI2jvD_BwE

 

That was my issue too, and seat jackers solved the under the knees/thighs issue.

 

The GX would offer more comfort.

 

I agree. The front of the seat base could have at least been made to raise higher.

 

I had a 1996 Expedition with the 3rd row seat. Now I have my 4Runner and feel it's just as, if not even more comfortable. Older 4Runners had horrible seats that wouldn't support the back of the legs, this one has been fine for me (I'm 5'11").

I traveled the entire east coast during coved and had no complaints driving 6-8 hours a day.