[skibum50]

I'm going to do something here that I almost never do, I'm putting BigBang on my ignore list.

FWIW, I did that a few years ago (he's the only one). It has increased my enjoyment of the forum immeasurably.

 

[skibum50]

Seat comfort was one of the main reasons we choose our XC60 over the German and Japanese brands. We took extensive test drives in all of them, and there was really no contest in comfort. There were options in other brands that we wanted that weren't available in the Volvo, but they became secondary when seating comfort was taken into consideration. After all, the other bells and whistles were meaningless if your butt is sore.

Likewise. It was certainly the biggest single reason for my purchase.
I can drive for eight hours and get out of the car without a hint of stiffness. Nothing short of miraculous in my experience. No other carmaker comes close.

 

[Billk9989]

Well, Bigbang’s content-free nonsense aside, I’d like to add that the Volvo seats are the best that my wife and I have had. To answer the OP question… I have no idea how they do it. But they do it. Their reputation for seating comfort is well deserved.

Our trips tend to be 2000 miles distance. We’ve had five Audis, two BMWs and two Acuras among others, and none hold a candle to the comfort of these seats for long distance travel. My wife is 5’5” and often complains that seats in our cars are sized for men. The Volvo seats are her all-time favorites. I’m 6’ and have the same opinion, hands down the best. And it isn’t just we who notice it. Virtually every time I have a passenger I get a comment about seat comfort, even on short trips. Never had this happen in the past with any other brand.

 

[julianbain]

This could have something to do with it...

"Alf Nachemson was a Swedish medical doctor and researcher and pioneer of orthopaedic spinal surgery . He was known for his studies on low back pain, and was one of the leaders in understanding the anatomy and biomechanics of the lumbar spine. Nachemson was also a consultant to Volvo and was involved in the design of their car seats, using his knowledge of the human spine to create seats that would reduce the risk of back injury for drivers and passengers."

 

[Billk9989]

This could have something to do with it...

"Alf Nachemson was a Swedish medical doctor and researcher and pioneer of orthopaedic spinal surgery . He was known for his studies on low back pain, and was one of the leaders in understanding the anatomy and biomechanics of the lumbar spine. Nachemson was also a consultant to Volvo and was involved in the design of their car seats, using his knowledge of the human spine to create seats that would reduce the risk of back injury for drivers and passengers."

That’s interesting. And it reminds me that I’m typing while sitting in an Ekornes recliner, Swedish. I’ve had these things for about 25 years, wonderfully comfortable chairs. Maybe Nachemson is a reflection of a more general cultural thing.

 

[BigBang]

Nothing against Volvo can be written on this Volvo forum
If someone writes that Volvo has a good engine, everyone must confirm it
If someone writes that Volvo has a good gearbox, everyone must write that it is an excellent gearbox
If someone writes that Volvo has good seats, the best in the world, everyone must write that they are the best seats in the world

I am a member of five other car forums and I have never read anything similar anywhere, criticism must not exist against Volvo, otherwise it is the best car in the world

Individuals who are in love with Volvo, a little note for you, the car is made of metal, plastic, glass, rubber, leather and......, if you are in love with it then something is wrong

 

[skibum50]

That’s interesting. And it reminds me that I’m typing while sitting in an Ekornes recliner, Swedish. I’ve had these things for about 25 years, wonderfully comfortable chairs. Maybe Nachemson is a reflection of a more general cultural thing.

My Stressless Ekornes recliner was ridiculously expensive, but worth every penny.

 

[Walkabout]

I have one too. Totally agree.

 

[BolboLubber]

While I agree that older Volvo seats are far more comfortable than later models, there are other options in newer vehicles.
Nissan has some amazing "zero gravity" seats that I've experienced on some longer trips.
Particularly the Altima and Maxima have the additional cushion and support, making them easily comparable to the older seats Volvo had on older models.
Even some magazines have made mention of them in their reviews
2022 Nissan Altima Review, Pricing, and Specs

 

[Walkabout]

I've only been in Nissan seats at car shows and the like. Was interested in the Murano for a while so I've gone to look at a few times but without a long test drive (the typical around the block crap that we have in LA). Everything I've read and heard is exactly consistent with what you are saying. Nissan's zero gravity seats do get rave reviews.

 

[VLD1]

My Stressless Ekornes recliner was ridiculously expensive, but worth every penny.

I bought one of those too. Can't comment on the comfort. My 19 lb. cat has taken possession and I end up sitting on a stiff Chesterfield chair.

As for Volvo seat comfort, my MB CLS is a real fun car to drive. But if I sit in it for more than an hour I end up with blood in the urine. I've done 6+ hour drives in my V90 and no problems. I feel like I've only driven around the block.

 

[Buddy's Ride]

Here is my question: Why is that Volvo is able to make a seat that is so much more comfortable than the competition? I've got a bad back, so this is always a major issue for me. A lot of the vehicles in this class have horrendous seating. I found the Acura and Gensis seats pretty good as well, but Volvo is lightyears ahead of its other Euro competition. BMW X3 was OK, but the bottom of the seats was way too narrow, which is true of the Lexus NX as well.

You would think other companies would reverse engineer what Volvo has been doing and offer equivalent seating packages.

Yes, definitely concur. The seats in our Volvo are considerably more comfortable than in our '22 Model y LR. I am constantly moving around in the Tesla.

 

[markshan]

If your statement were true, everyone would buy Volvo cars

That is certainly a logical fallacy. You are assuming that seat comfort is the number one priority for everyone, which is an amazing leap of reasoning. People have all sorts of reasons to prefer one vehicle over another.

 

[normadel]

I'm 72. My 2007 XC70 has the best seats I have ever had in any car, going back 55 years of driving. I'm thinking that if I get rid of the car before I die, I will keep the front seats to use in my house.

 

[BolboLubber]

As for Volvo seat comfort, my MB CLS is a real fun car to drive. But if I sit in it for more than an hour I end up with blood in the urine. I've done 6+ hour drives in my V90 and no problems. I feel like I've only driven around the block.

You should seriously consider seeing a doctor about that.

 

[cometguy]

Volvo seats are fabulous, but my wife and I have both felt that the 14-way seats in our Porsches (model years 2015-2019) have been every bit as good as, and possibly even a little better than, those in our Volvos. Our test for this comment is our doing 7000-mile cross-country trips at least once a year, and both of us having occasional lower back pain in day-to-day life. This is indeed one huge reason why I only look at Volvos and Porsches -- for the seats.

 

[Billk9989]

That is certainly a logical fallacy. You are assuming that seat comfort is the number one priority for everyone, which is an amazing leap of reasoning. People have all sorts of reasons to prefer one vehicle over another.

Yes, and I think that we all noticed, shook our heads, and moved on. But it’s interesting that you commented. My take was similar: To paraphrase the “logic”, “Volvo sales on all-electric models were down last year, therefore Volvo seats aren’t as great as people claim”. A triumph of critical thought, no?

And let’s not overlook this doozy, lol:

“Nothing against Volvo can be written in this forum.”

Now, let’s consider for a moment: Anybody who reads this forum will see endless - and I mean endless - complaints and criticisms of Volvo - people outraged at deleted features, people wanting their money back and inquiring about lemon laws, people wanting Sensus back, people hating the removal of buttons, people talking petitions and class action suits, on and on and on and on and on... And plenty of sympathy for most of these very harsh, anti-Volvo points of view. But carry on - create your very own imagined reality, peddle it and hope that nobody notices, then pretend that you’re being unfairly attacked by zealots. ;-)

 

[BenjaminD]

What a weird thread

 

[White3]

Typical weirdness due to the inclusion of he who must not be named

 

[crimethinking]

While I agree that older Volvo seats are far more comfortable than later models, there are other options in newer vehicles.
Nissan has some amazing "zero gravity" seats that I've experienced on some longer trips.
Particularly the Altima and Maxima have the additional cushion and support, making them easily comparable to the older seats Volvo had on older models.
Even some magazines have made mention of them in their reviews
2022 Nissan Altima Review, Pricing, and Specs

Nissan seats are amazing and are available at car classes that don't cost an arm and a leg. I'm surprised at how they are bang on mediocre at almost everything then proceed to have very good seats