bmccall

Hi All! We're still looking for a LX (or LC), after the AHC fiasco with the last one. We test drove two 2013's yesterday (after driving 2 hours to look at them). For some reason, those seats didn't feel as comfortable as the (one) 2011 we looked at -- of course, that car had the driver seat replaced, not sure what with, so not feeling confident about the comparison.

We currently have a 2002 LS430. We absolutely LOVE the seats in that car. Hubby is 6'4" and the seat extender is super great (kinda bummed about the pale comparison on the 570s -- the little inflatable thingie is not at all the same thing).

I'm curious about the differences between the seats (only care about driver and passenger) between LX470s and LX570s and the LCs. I felt like the passenger seat in the 2013 had seriously inadequate thigh support (i.e. was very short), and just didn't feel nearly as comfortable as the LS (it was very stiff and shaped kinda funny).

For us, seat comfort is super important due to a back injury since this will be our road trip / towing car.

Anybody have any (completely subjective) impressions of the seat comfort of various model years of the LX/LCs? Seat length, seat width? We have a serious lack of options near us, so any help is great as it cuts down our long drives to test drive.

Thanks so much!!!

hankinid

I find the seats comfortable in both our LX (Series 100) and '13 Land Cruiser...flip a coin.

Comparing seats between an LS car and LX or Land Cruiser truck is subjective, to say the least.

You're saying what you buy would be a towing vehicle; I'd suggest 200 Series truck (Land Cruiser or LX) v. a car.

For the money you're spending, I think long drives to do a test drive is definitely worth the money. I'm not Mr. Expert by any means, but I did have the sense to take an airplane ride to test drive our Land Cruiser. I figured what's another $100 v. what I'm spending on the truck. Everyone's butt will have a different answer.

Reggie1

I have a 2013 LX570. Seat comfort is such is subjective thing that all I can offer are my own experiences. To start, I am slim and 5’11.” I also fractured my pelvis in a riding mishap 20 years ago, and the residual effects of that linger on. I find the LX driver’s seat excruciatingly uncomfortable after about 30 minutes. The lumbar support is just in the wrong place for me. I have experimented with various cushions, horse gel-filled saddle pads, without success. I have also had an LX470, and found its seats way more comfortable than my current LX. Not seeing the seats side by side, I am unable to figure out why one fit me and the other doesn’t.

I also have a GM 2500 truck. The ride is harsher and noisier than the LX, but I find the seat much more comfortable on trips My wife has a Lexus IS-C. For me the seats are pretty good on long trips, but the headroom is limited and I develop neck discomfort. I also have a 1986 5 series BMW with so-called comfort seats. Maybe because I have molded the BMW seat cushions to my own anatomy over 300,000 plus miles, I can drive it for hours in total comfort.

A poster here a few months back started an LX seat thread. As I recall, he was large (wide) and the LX seat back side bolsters were uncomfortable for him. Being 150 lbs, I fit between the side bolsters just fine.

There are just so many variables among human anatomy that taking a prospective vehicle on as long a drive as the seller will allow is probably the best way to know if it is likely to be comfortable. Though I have never done it myself, renting an equivalent vehicle for a longer term evaluation could be advantageous. But, I doubt that will happen with an LX. Maybe lease it for a week from the seller, with option to either buy or return it?

My dealer uses RXs as loaners. I can drive the loaner over the same commuter route that with the LX570 causes pain, and be comfortable in a RX.

z32

I am 5ft10, about 200lbs.... The LX570 seat (driver's) is 'good' but taking long drive (6hr trips) I find myself having to adjust positions a few times.... I think it's because the seat tends to be 'flatter' / not like the lounge seats at the movies? I also took trips in a 2018 MB S550. Driver seat feels better than the LX, less fatigue, almost no adjustment throughout. The seat in the S550 seems more 'cushioning' / more plushy / balloon-ing than the LX and that's probably why it created more 'support' throughout my back and hip. I also drove a 2020 Lexus RX for about 3hrs.... The seat is 'just usual' - like in the Hondas.I also had long trips in a '02 Honda Odyssey and 98 Accord... The LX is definitely better than the Hondas (thank God!!!). but not as good as the MB S550.

bmccall

Thanks for your replies! I realize it's totally subjective.

Reggie1, this past week we sat in a 2013 LC, a 2011 LX 570, and a 2005 LX 470. All of these seemed to feel about the same to me, except the LC felt a bit firmer, though the seat still had a similar shape. Previously, we test drove the 2013 LX. It seems to me that the 2013 seat is a very different shape than the earlier years (it felt to me like I had to arch my back to get my upper back and shoulders to touch the seat). I found it to be very uncomfortable even on short test drives, whereas all the others seemed ok to me. The passenger seat on the 2013 LX also seemed super short to me.

z32, the sedans do seem to be more comfortable. I have to say none of the cars we have tested (which is turning into a lot of them) are anywhere near as comfy as my ancient 2002 LS 430. As I get older, my Highlander is uncomfortable for me, and our Leaf isn't super great either.

We measured the front seats in case that will be helpful to somebody in the future. We measured across the widest part of the seat (nearer the front), and from the place where the seat and back come together to the front of the seat.

Car / Driver W / Driver L / Px W / Px L​​​​
My LS / 20.5 / 22 (love the "real" seat extension) / didn't measure Px
2013 LC / 21 / 20 / 21 / 19.5
2011 LX / 21 / 20 / 21 / 20
2005 LX / 21 / 19.5 / 21 / 19.5

If anyone else wants to add measurements, that would be awesome. I'll also look for the other post. I did search before starting this one, but must have put in non-matching terms.

hankinid

Measurements are close enough that how it feels on you is what counts. "Subjective" is an understatement.