I agree, seat are hard. The F-sport version is even harder. I ended up adding some foam between the plastic harness and the seat cushion on the driver's seat. Otherwise, I would get leg hamstring pain after an hour or so. Now it happens after 4 or so hours. I even have a tennis ball to roll around the area during rest stops in very long drives.

To place the foam, I had to undo all the bolts holding the seat to the chassis, disconnect all the cables, flip the seat back and try to stuff a large foam block in the area. Seems the ventilated seat took a lot of foam out of the seat padding. There is also a very large plastic frame that holds the seat with little padding between the frame and the seat.

 

Hey there ! I also have sciatic like right sided pain when sitting in the vehicle. Warning seat uncomfortably could be is sign of a undiagnosed back pathology such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis that was just turned on by the uncomfortable seats. Remaining in the seat could lead to problems you don’t need to have. The reverse is true also ... the uncomfortable seats could lead to potential back problems later. The solution is the same ... change something.... keep changing until you find something that works or just change the vehicle. Also 90% of the us
population will have low back pain at some point. You can live pain free with herniated discs or other back pathologies but in order to be pain free you can’t do things that can aggravate and potentially make your back worse (ESPECIALLY on a DAILY BASIS). Either way (healthy back or not so healthy)... It’s no you it’s the seat! Change something.

 

I pickup 2019 RX350 FSport two years ago. After my ownership for two hours and put 70 miles on the car, I had to return the vehicle back to the dealership due to my back pain triggered by the driver seat. The problem is not just the lower back pain, the head rest design also involved in this torture. The dealer was kind enough to took the car back. Yesterday, I pick up a regular 2021 RX350 18” wheel with premium package. The driver seat is a bit hard due to vented seat option. I believe the driver seat will be more comfortable if you opt out vented seat. I know exactly how you feel, cause I had four prior BMW in the past 10 years.

 

Despite that I have a few issues with Rx, seats are DEFINITELY NOT the issue. The seats are fine. For me.

 

Hi--just see your post here about the seat; we just purchased a Lexus RX and finding front passenger seat very uncomfortable. I see your post is five years old but perhaps your way of fixing your car back then is something we might be able to do. Could you possibly explain how you were able to add more cushioning?

 

I have a 2020 ES350 F Sport and am considering getting out of the lease because the F sport seats are so terrible.

That said my ES has been in for service for the past 2.5 weeks due to a part that is delayed and my loaner is a 2021 RX350. It has the 2 way lumbar and I find the seats comfortable. Much more comfy than my ES F sport. It may just fit people a bit differently. I think Volvo does seats best. It’s amazing all the features cars have these days and finding a really comfy seat is still a challenge! Hope it all works out for you. I feel your pain owning a car with an uncomfortable seat.

 

Hi A3A--thanks so much for your response on this--and sharing your comfort with the RX350 loaner. Im wondering if your loaner has the heating/ventilation --but I see your location is NY and I think just about all the cars in the north have at least the heating. We tried sitting in a car that had just the heating to see if it felt different--seemed a little bit better-not possible to even find one without the heating system-- anyway yes, seems it just feels different to different tushes. Like you said people fit differently. Also, it doesn't bother me when Im driving--maybe just have to concentrate too much-or actually moving differently makes the difference--wondering if you sit much in the passenger side. And funny you mention the Volvo for comfort-yes, our 17 year old Volvo is super comfortable and has been from day one. Alas. All good luck to you with your ES F sport. And thanks again.

 

The loaner I have does have the heated and ventilated seats. I haven’t sat in the passenger seat though. Being a loaner, I’m the only one that is supposed to drive it so my experience is limited there.

 

Thank you once again--but if you have time and inclination I'd be curious to know, even though you won't be riding, how you experience the passenger seat. I don't mind the seat when Im driving-just when just sitting--meanwhile a new car seat cushion has just arrived and Im hoping it will solve the problem. Thanks again.

 

I sat in the passenger seat for a few minutes and the seat bottom was a bit firmer to me. That said, it’s a loaner with only 3,200 miles so perhaps it just isn’t as broken in as the driver seat.

I may have noted already, but this RX has the nuluxe. I know some cars can seem to vary a bit on how the seat feels with different materials (Nuluxe versus leather).

 

Lexusnewbi--having terrible discomfort with Lexus R350 2021--tried using cushions but after a ride or two whatever Im feeling on the front passenger seat--maybe the frame? maybe the vent system?--comes through and is extremely uncomfortable. We are thinking we might try your method to add more foam. Wondering if you did this operation yourself and if so what sorts of special tools might be needed. We asked around at some car upholstery places but they said they did not do anything like this. And advice would be much appreciated. We've had the car only a couple of weeks and like it very much otherwise but the seat issue is a real problem.

 

I’m not alone apparently. We took delivery of our new to us, low mileage 2017 450h w luxury package 2 weeks ago.

We faced a couple challenges when searching for a used car. Not only is it extremely hard to find a deal in today’s market, but I was also struggling to find a comfortable Lexus seat. I sat in and test drove many different RX’s. At first I though my back was sore from a long day’s work. Second night’s test drive and I started thinking it may be the seat.

We were looking for F sports at first, but as cool as the car looked, I could not take the lack of padding on the lower seat cushion. We then decided to focus on comfort instead, and set our sights on a premium package. Seats were much better but then I was shocked to find out that you could not get one with leather. The F sport, accessory package, and premium package all get Nuluxe.

The only leather seating surface was in the Luxury package. It was hard to find, but we finally located a luxury package hybrid with Pano roof. On the test drive, I felt that the seats had their own quirks, but we were so tired of hunting for a car we pulled the trigger.

We went for a 10 mile drive this evening and literally the entire time I was struggling and adjusting the seat, but could never find a comfortable position. Super frustrating to have a car that once had a $63,000 window sticker but has crappy uncomfortable seats. My Volkswagen Golf R that I am selling has amazingly comfortable deep leather bucket seats that absolutely blow this RX away, and our 2012 Prius is far more comfortable. What the hell is going on with this Lexus?

First, It feels like I am constantly sliding out of the seat. The lower cushion even when angled up all the way does not feel like it wants to keep me in. Likely because the cushion is rock solid and I can’t get the feeling of sinking into the seat. Also, I get a lower back pain within 15 min of driving the car absolutely every time I’m in it.

I am not that tall (6-01) but my right knee is crammed and is hitting the power vehicle button trim area. As far as the seat cushion bottom, the only thing that helps a little is the additional front cushion angle adjustment you get on the Luxury seat. I am now looking for some type of gel cushion that will make this thing tolerable and hold me in the damn chair. I love the car but the ergonomics seem tailored around someone with an entirely different build than me.
What a disappointment! I bought this purely for comfort.

 

So sorry that you too are having seat issue--it's crazy that such an otherwise wonderful car wouldn't have a decent seat. You mention looking for cushions--we've tried several; that may be the way to go--we have tried several; some seem better than others. Might even require more than one since they tend to be less than 2". There is also possibility of taking car to professional upholsterer though that can be costly.

 

I think it's unrealistic to expect that the seats will fit ALL bodies, we are all shaped & weigh differently and some will find the seats comfy others not.
This is no different than when buying a chair, we sit in them till we find one that is comfortable.

 

I did not expect my first and second posts in this forum to be about how seriously Uncomfortable this car is for me. My first post was last night, chiming in on this old thread talking about seat discomfort. My luxury package seats are rock hard and are causing me serious pain in my back. I am typing this message while laying down letting my back stretch out after a 1 hour painful drive. I am ordering a variety of seat cushions off Amazon tonight. I don’t want to get off topic though.....

THREAD IS ABOUT THE LACK OF KNEE ROOM FOR THR DRIVER.

So, I am reaching out to anyone that may have remedied this issue. We bought this car for comfort. Something big enough for a car seat for the baby while still giving us enough room. We wanted a large vehicle as our Prius and Vw Golf R were on the small side. We focused on the RX. It is SOOO much larger than the Prius, I did not pay attention to every single aspect of the car and my exact fitment in it. It was really too much to take in during short test drives.

Here is my major issue. My right knee is smashed against the vehicle power button. I really don’t get how the car was designed this way. Our other cars have no issues at all for me. With the RX, once I get into a position that minimized back pain, my knee is hitting the plastic panel that houses the on/off button. The work around is to scoot way back and stretch my legs but then I’m too far away from the steering wheel, even with it telescoped to the max.

I see a number of aftermarket power buttons on the market, but has anyone seen a low profile panel that can lift up the button for more knee clearance???? Total long shot but I thought I would ask.

I really don’t want to sound like a complainer, but I have never been I this much pain while driving a vehicle and am trying to introduce some type of work around. I do want to love this car!

I am thinking of either cutting or removing that plastic panel, or extending the wires and maybe relocating the on off switch to the arm rest or something.

I am not crazy tall (I’m 6-01+), but I think I have longer legs maybe. I feel like this car was truly designed for a soccer mom and I am super bummed that this is going to be my new daily. I physically can’t take it.

To give you an idea of how bad the knee clearance is for me. First photo is of my 2012 Prius. Second photo is of our RX450h. Last photo are the cars side by side and it just is shocking to see how much bigger the RX is than the Prius, but yet not where it counts.

Both seats are as low as they will go. My leg position and angle of photograph are the same.


PRIUS KNEE CLEARANCE


RX450h KNEE CLEARANCE