2022 RX450h F Sport Uncomfortable seat

Lesfac · May 9, 2023

I've had my RX for just under a month and I'm trying to love it but as can be seen from my other posts here I think there are some disappointments. The latest may prove to be the worst issue for me. After making a few 2 hour journeys I am finding that my hips hurt and I have have a pain caused by the side bolsters digging in to my bum on each side. The constant pressure causes an unpleasant ache. I'm not that big, 13 1/2 stone, 190 pounds. When I test drove the car the seat just felt snug but now it just feels unpleasant. When I look down I now notice that the seat is hardly any wider than my backside and then there are the bolsters tipping in on each side applying inward pressure. There are some things that the car does very well but other things are disappointing. I am starting to think I have made an expensive mistake. The car keeps getting good reviews but I'm thinking that they are all based on short term trials that only look at the way it drives which is very good but other than that other things are glossed over.

rayaans · May 9, 2023

13 minutes ago, Lesfac said:

I've had my RX for just under a month and I'm trying to love it but as can be seen from my other posts here I think there are some disappointments. The latest may prove to be the worst issue for me. After making a few 2 hour journeys I am finding that my hips hurt and I have have a pain caused by the side bolsters digging in to my bum on each side. The constant pressure causes an unpleasant ache. I'm not that big, 13 1/2 stone, 190 pounds. When I test drove the car the seat just felt snug but now it just feels unpleasant. When I look down I now notice that the seat is hardly any wider than my backside and then there are the bolsters tipping in on each side applying inward pressure. There are some things that the car does very well but other things are disappointing. I am starting to think I have made an expensive mistake. The car keeps getting good reviews but I'm thinking that they are all based on short term trials that only look at the way it drives which is very good but other than that other things are glossed over.

The bolsters soften over time. The side bolsters on the base are initially quite stiff.

The other thing is that the seat isn't positioned correctly.

Even the f sport seats are the most comfortable seats in the business so they shouldn't be causing any discomfort

Neo_gsf · May 11, 2023

I would echo that maybe the seat position is not correct. I have owned 2 RX450h f-sports (2019 and 2021 so the same model as yours) and never had a problem with being uncomfortable.

First_Lexus · May 11, 2023

On 5/9/2023 at 9:26 AM, Lesfac said:

I am starting to think I have made an expensive mistake. The car keeps getting good reviews but I'm thinking that they are all based on short term trials that only look at the way it drives which is very good but other than that other things are glossed over.

The problem here is that these things are very subjective. I’ve had my RX for eighteen months and find the seats amazingly comfortable. I have a disability which makes car seats very important to me and the RX simply delivers (as did my previous NX) in ways others do not. My specialist has noted - although he won’t recommend particular cars - that the most important measurements for me are the relationship between steering wheel, pedals and depth of seat base. Anything too long causes issues with my thighs and hips (step forward BMW for one that I can’t use because the base is too long in most cases).

That said we’re all different. I’m nowhere near 13 stone (more like 10) so my experience is bound to be different in the same way that ‘backs’ are all different, preferred seating positions etc. I can’t find it now, but there was a similar post on the seat comfort from another member so you may not be completely alone, simply with a more niche view or experience.

Based on some of your other posts - and the majority view on the forum - my personal view is that the ‘issues’ you are having problems with aren’t really problems for most people. Things such as the non-muting navigation when playing music (which is ridiculous tbh, but it does mute on Waze through apple CarPlay) and the cruise control going downhill (believe caused by regeneration on a hybrid so not really a fault).

If you’re feeling unhappy with the car on such minor points then my advice would be to trade it back in while prices are high and buy something else. The risk if you don’t is that these things will niggle away at you, like a car with a slight rattle or poor quality paint does for me. Like I said, we’re all different. Personally I wouldn’t suffer, I’d swallow hard and move on with another vehicle.

Lesfac · May 17, 2023

Hi Ed I come to the RX from a Kia Sorento so I can't help comparing. As for muting audio being ridiculous, I am hard of hearing and I have a common problem for people who are hard of hearing. Any background noise makes it hard to hear what you are trying to listen to. So not so ridiculous.

If your suggestion to move on was a cost free option I would be highly inclined to go that way. I may have to anyway because the sport seat continues to cause my hips to ache. It hugs my backside so tight it's like sitting in a wedge and the inward pressure eventually causes a nagging ache.

I'll say it for you. Just get another Sorento.

First_Lexus · May 17, 2023

42 minutes ago, Lesfac said:

Ed I come to the RX from a Kia Sorento so I can't help comparing. As for muting audio being ridiculous, I am hard of hearing and I have a common problem for people who are hard of hearing. Any background noise makes it hard to hear what you are trying to listen to. So not so ridiculous.

My point was that it’s ridiculous that a car like the RX can’t do it with the standard navigation (but can with apple CarPlay options such as Waze) - hence my reference in another related thread that previous (older and cheaper) Hondas managed to do it where the RX cannot.

I wasn’t saying that needing to mute radios to hear navigation was ridiculous.

Spock66 · May 17, 2023

2 hours ago, Lesfac said:

I may have to anyway because the sport seat continues to cause my hips to ache. It hugs my backside so tight it's like sitting in a wedge and the inward pressure eventually causes a nagging ache.

Not ideal, but maybe you could try a cushion to raise the seat base to the level of the bolsters.

Lesfac · May 17, 2023

5 hours ago, First_Lexus said:

My point was that it’s ridiculous that a car like the RX can’t do it with the standard navigation (but can with Apple CarPlay options such as Waze) - hence my reference in another related thread that previous (older and cheaper) Hondas managed to do it where the RX cannot.

I wasn’t saying that needing to mute radios to hear navigation was ridiculous.

Sorry Ed I misunderstood. My error.

Lesfac · May 17, 2023

4 hours ago, Spock66 said:

Not ideal, but maybe you could try a cushion to raise the seat base to the level of the bolsters.

I have thought of that but I would lose the effect of the heated seat in the winter. I am persevering hoping that my backside will either become used to it or the seat will submit to my bum. I'm a pretty average build so I'm surprised other people don't mention this. However it seems to be just me.