Uncomfortable Seats / Speakers awful (XL model)

[olderthanyourdirt]

Today I was heading into the shoe store to get new shoes, and a guy with a Ford Explorer pulled up. I had asked him if it was a 2025 one because it looked new and he said it wasn't - that it was a 2021. I asked him how'd he like it and he said he hated it because the seats are uncomfortable as the base trim (which he had) had no lumbar support. He was fit, so it couldn't be this whole "you're fat" claim many love to throw around.

My question for you all...do you think Ford does this intentionally? Do they make base level seats uncomfortable?

The base seats from all major manufacturers are not comfortable. Rented a RAV4 on a trip, worst seats I had ever sat on, thankful I only had to endure 4 days.

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[pigsareus]

Today I was heading into the shoe store to get new shoes, and a guy with a Ford Explorer pulled up. I had asked him if it was a 2025 one because it looked new and he said it wasn't - that it was a 2021. I asked him how'd he like it and he said he hated it because the seats are uncomfortable as the base trim (which he had) had no lumbar support. He was fit, so it couldn't be this whole "you're fat" claim many love to throw around.

My question for you all...do you think Ford does this intentionally? Do they make base level seats uncomfortable?

Of course not - they might make them cheaper but they're not going out of their way to make them feel like cr-- as most people don't really get a good feel sitting in a showroom as to how comfortable the seats are until you actually drive around sitting on them for 50+ miles and what's the point of making a new buyer unhappy when they start driving it around? Are they then going to trade it right back in for something higher grade and more comfortable?

 

[LanceMav]

Yes! They had these Hoka's that I really liked . I went in to look at New Balance or Hoka (I am a NB fan), but those Hoka's stood out, sooo...yes...

I'm with you on the Hokas. Use them for walking around the cobble streets in Europe.

 

[Gmolah]

I will say coming from a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee, I miss the seats and a bit of the space I had in it, But that comes from a 475 pound 6 foot Man.. I do not have issues with my back yet but I have not taken any long drives yet, and I do have some back issues..

I will say I am happy that I fit in my Maverick and I know I am not the base they are trying to reach with the truck, but I am working on losing some weight for many reason but one to fit even a bit better in my Maverick..

Also take this from some that has had his Maverick for 5 days now and only done about 150 miles..

 

[colinl]

My question for you all...do you think Ford does this intentionally? Do they make base level seats uncomfortable?

they make them cheap, which can make them uncomfortable.

 

[Tall Hobbit]

Weird, I found the opposite. I was happy my wife traded in the Explorer because I never found the seats comfortable. I am way more comfortable in my Maverick. Always have been and I've lost 120 pounds since owning it.

I too am quite comfortable in my XL. All I put on my base level is Mabett covers without lumbar anything. My mom has severe scoliosis and is recovering from a hip injury, and every time I take her on a trip she has very refreshing sleep against her will in the passenger seat. Perhaps its just that the driver is boring. Thus far I haven't been able to sleep in the driver's seat on trips. Also can't report on any weight loss yet.

I read somewhere on the Internet (so it must be true) that Ford has an entire division for what the OP describes. They do psychological tests on all new employees. Those with sadistic tendencies are assigned to base trims. I think they maintain a chart titled "Customer Pain Index", and throw huge office parties when they see a certain volume of complaints on the Maverick Truck Club.

This division gets special projects now and then. The rotary shifter was one. The 2025 grille and removing physical buttons was another. For these, I wager they got cake at the monthly results party.

But of all projects, I think the pain division is most proud of the 2022 sqeaky windshield. Because it was deniable but induced ongoing customer annoyance for years.

I heard that this division, by the way, receives under-the-counter kickbacks from dealer service departments based on recall count.

Again, I read all this on the Internet So it is demonstrably true. AI told me so.

Calm down, Catbert.

 

[First Sergeant]

Where would you like me to start? I asked if the Nissan Murano (the best seats I’ve ever had) could be put in. I’ve asked if the Honda element seats could be put in. I’ve asked if the bronco sport seats could be put in. I’ve asked if the Ford Explorer seats could be put in. I was met with a no response at every turn. Regardless if it was from Ford themselves or with an upholstery place. Most upholstery places will not do more than just a half an inch or so of foam on top of what is there because they don’t want to change the fabric of the seat. They said they could put a lumbar support in but the lumbar support set up that they have mentioned doesn’t seem like it’s going to last very long

I’ve tried different seating positions. I’ve tried raising it. Lowering it. Moving it closer or further. I’ve tried different seat cushions whether it was egg carton foam, to the purple brand cushion, to this cushion I’m sitting on right now. I’ve tried different lumbar support pillows.

But I’m wondering if it happens across all Ford vehicles. Are they like cell phone companies that encourage you to upgrade your trim?

Find a seat that is comfortable. Then check your area for a reputable hot rod/ restoration or "mod" shop. I guarantee they can get those seats put in and working properly. Might not be cheap though!

 

[TedTX]

Very big difference going from an XL to lariat trim seating. The lariat seats are so much more comfortable then XL.

 

[pigsareus]

Very big difference going from an XL to lariat trim seating. The lariat seats are so much more comfortable then XL.

Could very well be - I have an XL and I find the seats more than comfortable and no probs at all.

 

[JMJB]

I could swear we covered all of this seat talk with the OP about a week ago , but this time we've got shoes involved ....

 

[JMJB]

I thought so ....over 200 replies ....

Hopefully he finds seats , or a vehicle he feels comfortable sitting in .....

 

[Blue_Max]

I thought so ....over 200 replies ....

Hopefully he finds seats , or a vehicle he feels comfortable sitting in .....

Maybe new footwear will help!

 

[Bic]

My question for you all...do you think Ford does this intentionally? Do they make base level seats uncomfortable?
[/QUOTE]


Ford, like its automotive peers, is an automobile assembly company. Ford makes some parts such as stamped steel or stamped aluminum body panels but they purchase most parts from their suppliers.
(full disclosure: I worked for an aluminum die cast plant that was such a supplier)

I'm certain that seats are not something Ford manufactures or even designs. I'd wager that Ford designs the interfaces between the seats and other parts of the truck and then sends that interface design to their suppliers electronically (CATIA shape file format?) along with a list of requirements and then asks the suppliers to bid their designs.

Ford would then iterate that supplier design a bit then once they were happy with it, the supplier would be given a contract to supply (and warranty to Ford) the seats.

I'm certain that no supplier would intentionally design their seat to be uncomfortable! They would optimize the design for manufacturability, economy, ease of installation etc. But if their prototype seat was uncomfortable to the Ford engineers testing it the supplier would likely lose the contract to a competitor with a better design.

If I found the seats on my truck uncomfortable I'd look first to Ford stablemate vehicles (Bronco Sport, Escape) and see if their seats were a better fit for me. It's likely that these stablemates share their seat electrical (power, control and heat) and seat mechanical interfaces (bolt patterns etc) with the Maverick.

If nothing was found that works after looking at stablemates' seats then I'd look elsewhere in the Ford/Lincoln catalog. Maybe the Lincoln Corsair seat would work? Then once I found something that worked I'd reach out to automotive boneyards that can run a national search for the seat(s) that I identified.

I find the drivers seat on my Lariat OK but my wife hates the passenger seat. So I may start looking for a boneyard passenger seat upgrade in the interest of marital harmony.
Happy wife, happy life!

 

[Synner Syndrome]

Oh I’ve test driven the lariat believe me. They are the same cushion the only difference is the lariat uses ActiveX leather

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