Thanks for your reply. I'm now on the hunt for some sort of back support or cushioning. Meanwhile I've swapped cars with my husband for the time being !!
Very uncomfortable driver seat! Help!
So I just bought a 2021 Kona Limited about 3 weeks ago, trading in my 2018 Civic. It had a lot of upgrades to the Civic I was very excited about. However, I guess the 15 minute test ride wasn't enough to determine that, after driving about 300 miles, I find the driver seat extremely uncomfortable. It seems to me it was not designed to accommodate long legs, i.e., tall people. I'm 5'10 with a 34 inch inseam and a shorter torso. The problems are as follows:
1. The seat is terrible for good posture. It is too curved, with your mid-back curving inward and shoulders pushed forward (so you are shaped like a 'c'), and the side contours too narrow and stiff. The straighter you have the seat the more it exaggerates that posture putting a lot of strain on your back. This is relieved the further back you can extend the seat, but...
2. The steering wheel does not extend far enough for me to be able to have the seat back enough while being able to comfortably reach it (yes, I extended it all the way, which isn't much). So I'm forced to either have the seat a little further back and strain to reach the wheel or put the seat up straighter and be in back pain. I did not find the lumbar support very helpful, as it pushes firmly a little higher than what would be helpful. I've tried every-which-way with all the seating positions so far and no overall relief.
3. Also, and not a complete deal-breaker but not ideal, the footrest for your left foot is too far up so I find myself putting my foot in-between it and the break so I have more length to rest it.
Did they have any tall people test this car when designing it?!!! Seriously.
Right now I've placed a smaller rectangular cushion from couch on the seat to push me forward so my back doesn't cave, which is helping a little. I really want to keep the car. I like most everything else about it. I've ordered two different full-length lumbar support cushions and really hope they work. If not, I simply can't live with how uncomfortable the driving experience is and will need to sell or trade this in taking a MAJOR financial hit considering I just traded in a perfectly fine vehicle that was paid off. I can't tell you how devastated I've been about this, hardly sleeping.
If anyone has any helpful advice please do share!
1. The seat is terrible for good posture. It is too curved, with your mid-back curving inward and shoulders pushed forward (so you are shaped like a 'c'), and the side contours too narrow and stiff. The straighter you have the seat the more it exaggerates that posture putting a lot of strain on your back. This is relieved the further back you can extend the seat, but...
2. The steering wheel does not extend far enough for me to be able to have the seat back enough while being able to comfortably reach it (yes, I extended it all the way, which isn't much). So I'm forced to either have the seat a little further back and strain to reach the wheel or put the seat up straighter and be in back pain. I did not find the lumbar support very helpful, as it pushes firmly a little higher than what would be helpful. I've tried every-which-way with all the seating positions so far and no overall relief.
3. Also, and not a complete deal-breaker but not ideal, the footrest for your left foot is too far up so I find myself putting my foot in-between it and the break so I have more length to rest it.
Did they have any tall people test this car when designing it?!!! Seriously.
Right now I've placed a smaller rectangular cushion from couch on the seat to push me forward so my back doesn't cave, which is helping a little. I really want to keep the car. I like most everything else about it. I've ordered two different full-length lumbar support cushions and really hope they work. If not, I simply can't live with how uncomfortable the driving experience is and will need to sell or trade this in taking a MAJOR financial hit considering I just traded in a perfectly fine vehicle that was paid off. I can't tell you how devastated I've been about this, hardly sleeping.
If anyone has any helpful advice please do share!
21 - 37 of 37 Posts
I've had my Kona for about a month. Seat took a bit of time to get into a comfortable position for longer drives, but better than the 08 Honda I usually drive.So I just bought a 2021 Kona Limited about 3 weeks ago, trading in my 2018 Civic. It had a lot of upgrades to the Civic I was very excited about. However, I guess the 15 minute test ride wasn't enough to determine that, after driving about 300 miles, I find the driver seat extremely uncomfortable. It seems to me it was not designed to accommodate long legs, i.e., tall people. I'm 5'10 with a 34 inch inseam and a shorter torso. The problems are as follows:
1. The seat is terrible for good posture. It is too curved, with your mid-back curving inward and shoulders pushed forward (so you are shaped like a 'c'), and the side contours too narrow and stiff. The straighter you have the seat the more it exaggerates that posture putting a lot of strain on your back. This is relieved the further back you can extend the seat, but...
2. The steering wheel does not extend far enough for me to be able to have the seat back enough while being able to comfortably reach it (yes, I extended it all the way, which isn't much). So I'm forced to either have the seat a little further back and strain to reach the wheel or put the seat up straighter and be in back pain. I did not find the lumbar support very helpful, as it pushes firmly a little higher than what would be helpful. I've tried every-which-way with all the seating positions so far and no overall relief.
3. Also, and not a complete deal-breaker but not ideal, the footrest for your left foot is too far up so I find myself putting my foot in-between it and the break so I have more length to rest it.
Did they have any tall people test this car when designing it?!!! Seriously.
Right now I've placed a smaller rectangular cushion from couch on the seat to push me forward so my back doesn't cave, which is helping a little. I really want to keep the car. I like most everything else about it. I've ordered two different full-length lumbar support cushions and really hope they work. If not, I simply can't live with how uncomfortable the driving experience is and will need to sell or trade this in taking a MAJOR financial hit considering I just traded in a perfectly fine vehicle that was paid off. I can't tell you how devastated I've been about this, hardly sleeping.
If anyone has any helpful advice please do share!
I know it is probably a cost issue, but a memory setting would benefit the car since it is shared with my wife.
Also, wish the Kona came with a front passenger seat that had power/ lumbar. Wouldn't it be nice for the passenger on a long trip to be comfortable? The passenger seat with power exists, as a driver's seat for right hand drive versions in Europe.
No advice, we bought a kona during the week. I'm six foot four and broad shouldered. The seat pushes my shoulders forward and after four days driving it, i'm really disapointed to say I just can't get comfortable. What a waste of money. It's our first car together and frankly, I'm just going to avoid getting into it. Guess I'll just take my motorbike to work on rainy days. IT's certainly more comfortable than the Kona seats. I was driving it earlier thinking this would be a great car if I took a saw and cut off those stupid wings/arches at the top of the seat.So I just bought a 2021 Kona Limited about 3 weeks ago, trading in my 2018 Civic. It had a lot of upgrades to the Civic I was very excited about. However, I guess the 15 minute test ride wasn't enough to determine that, after driving about 300 miles, I find the driver seat extremely uncomfortable. It seems to me it was not designed to accommodate long legs, i.e., tall people. I'm 5'10 with a 34 inch inseam and a shorter torso. The problems are as follows:
1. The seat is terrible for good posture. It is too curved, with your mid-back curving inward and shoulders pushed forward (so you are shaped like a 'c'), and the side contours too narrow and stiff. The straighter you have the seat the more it exaggerates that posture putting a lot of strain on your back. This is relieved the further back you can extend the seat, but...
2. The steering wheel does not extend far enough for me to be able to have the seat back enough while being able to comfortably reach it (yes, I extended it all the way, which isn't much). So I'm forced to either have the seat a little further back and strain to reach the wheel or put the seat up straighter and be in back pain. I did not find the lumbar support very helpful, as it pushes firmly a little higher than what would be helpful. I've tried every-which-way with all the seating positions so far and no overall relief.
3. Also, and not a complete deal-breaker but not ideal, the footrest for your left foot is too far up so I find myself putting my foot in-between it and the break so I have more length to rest it.
Did they have any tall people test this car when designing it?!!! Seriously.
Right now I've placed a smaller rectangular cushion from couch on the seat to push me forward so my back doesn't cave, which is helping a little. I really want to keep the car. I like most everything else about it. I've ordered two different full-length lumbar support cushions and really hope they work. If not, I simply can't live with how uncomfortable the driving experience is and will need to sell or trade this in taking a MAJOR financial hit considering I just traded in a perfectly fine vehicle that was paid off. I can't tell you how devastated I've been about this, hardly sleeping.
If anyone has any helpful advice please do share!
I feel sorry you guys are having problems. In my SE I was perfectly comfortable even though there weren't too many adjustments to make, just back and forth and upright or leaning back and lumbar which I never use.
Took a bit of playing with the controls on the limited but I got the leather electric seats where I wanted them finally which was basically in the most similar position I could get to the standard seats in my SE.
Took a bit of playing with the controls on the limited but I got the leather electric seats where I wanted them finally which was basically in the most similar position I could get to the standard seats in my SE.
I have the fabric electric adjust seat in my 2020. It has not broken in at all. I have 16k on the clock and by now the Elantra GT seat had broken in nicely.
I do 100 miles minimum commute each day and would like to be more comfortable if good option exist.
Moderators moved combined my post in this thread.
My problem is a bit different than other posters...I can adjust the seat to my frame......the padding itself is more akin to sitting on very dense foam with no give.
I do 100 miles minimum commute each day and would like to be more comfortable if good option exist.
Moderators moved combined my post in this thread.
My problem is a bit different than other posters...I can adjust the seat to my frame......the padding itself is more akin to sitting on very dense foam with no give.
They must have used the same seats in the 2018 Kona.
Is there a replacement seat you can get? I have yet to find one.
I love my Kona but the seats are unbearable.
I bought it certified pre-owned 6 short months ago. And now I HATE having to get inside my Kona. I am ready to trade it in.
Hyundai needs to step up and make a replacement. I spent too much money on my Kona to have it rendered useless by the seat.
Hyundai should want us driving as much as possible. How else are they going to get the free (or actually we pay them thousands to be able to advertise for them) advertising?
This is truly a manufacturer problem. Atleast make an upgrade. Don't be the product that contributes to the debilitating back problems that your loyal customers are experiencing.
Hyundai, please create a solution. There is article after article of complaints about the seats you provide in your vehicles.
Keep your consumers happy and pain free!! Because we love your cars!!
Is there a replacement seat you can get? I have yet to find one.
I love my Kona but the seats are unbearable.
I bought it certified pre-owned 6 short months ago. And now I HATE having to get inside my Kona. I am ready to trade it in.
Hyundai needs to step up and make a replacement. I spent too much money on my Kona to have it rendered useless by the seat.
Hyundai should want us driving as much as possible. How else are they going to get the free (or actually we pay them thousands to be able to advertise for them) advertising?
This is truly a manufacturer problem. Atleast make an upgrade. Don't be the product that contributes to the debilitating back problems that your loyal customers are experiencing.
Hyundai, please create a solution. There is article after article of complaints about the seats you provide in your vehicles.
Keep your consumers happy and pain free!! Because we love your cars!!
I have the 2021 Limited. Maybe those seats are different, but never have had an issue with comfort of the seats. The lumbar adjustment, height and angle adjustment as well as the heated option control any issues- even with a history of back pain and injuries.
I've also been in the SEL+ fabric covered seats, with no issues, but limited travel..... So maybe it is just the differences in the models.
I've also been in the SEL+ fabric covered seats, with no issues, but limited travel..... So maybe it is just the differences in the models.
German's ( Audi/VW/BMW that Hyundai brought over ) had a high influence in the Kona design and most likely the seats too. It is just a cheap car,How many tall Koreans have you seen?
Hello
I got a 2022 Kona EV premium yesterday and have pain in my back now
I find there is lumber no matter how off it is still sticks into my back , I need none at all
have lower back pain ,
any one else had this - I also had the same issue in a vauxhall Astra
Is there any way to literally remove the lumber part , as the passenger seat is very comfy and does not have it
I got a 2022 Kona EV premium yesterday and have pain in my back now
I find there is lumber no matter how off it is still sticks into my back , I need none at all
have lower back pain ,
any one else had this - I also had the same issue in a vauxhall Astra
Is there any way to literally remove the lumber part , as the passenger seat is very comfy and does not have it
I also feel that I am used to a wing back , recaro / sparco seat and going to this seat I may have yo get used to
will give it 2 weeks and if pain still there take the car back as I am sure you get 14 days on all products
it’s a new Kona Ev premium
love The car but if it hurts my back will have yo go.
will give it 2 weeks and if pain still there take the car back as I am sure you get 14 days on all products
it’s a new Kona Ev premium
love The car but if it hurts my back will have yo go.
hi all of you! i have read everyone's comments and my problems are totally different, my pain is in the lower back, i just left a message for the dealer rep to see if they have a buy back program, i don't want to do that as i really like the car, but i am in pain every day just trying to drive it, the back doesn't meet the seat and there is a space between which has fabric but leans towards the back seat, no one is shaped that way as far as i know, i have used several things to try to fill up the space but nothing seem to be working, the lumbar supports out there are too wide for the small seat which is great for me as i am only 5 feet 3 inches but i simply can't find anything online that will fit this seat as it is only 11 inches wide in the flat area any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated! thanks!Hi, I have the Elite model with leather seats. I haven't been able to find a comfortable seat position yet and suffer from shoulder and neck pain because of the shape of the seat. Am about to search for some kind of seat support to alleviate the problem. I'm quite upset as this sort of issue never entered my head when purchasing and I don't really want to have to change if I don't have to.
Similar issues to above - literally could not drive it , the seat hurt me so much - I got tissue damage in my back and have had physio since September last year and just this week my back feels normal again , so after the car sitting for months on my drive I sent it back - luckily for me it was a company car so no financial loss , I have now ordered a Nissan Ariya shame as I loved the look of the Kona
Great suggestion to flip the headrest around. I did that in our Mazda CX-5 front seat headrests for same reason...the headrest was pushing my head forward and felt so uncomfortable. Funny as when I take it to dealer for routine maintenance, they always point out that the headrests are "backwards" and I reply they're they way they should be!Hi There,
If it's mainly your neck / shoulders bothering you from the headrest, there might be a solution. You can actually take the headrest out (just depress the black button that allows it to go up until it's completely out) and flip it around so the flatter side faces your head. It didn't help my main issues with seat comfort but it certainly helped with preventing my head from being pushed forward, especially with the seat in a more upright potion.
Fingers crossed it may help you. I'm still deciding if one of the back cushions I ordered makes it a tolerable enough ride so that I don't have to sell. It really is a great car otherwise.
So I just bought a 2021 Kona Limited about 3 weeks ago, trading in my 2018 Civic. It had a lot of upgrades to the Civic I was very excited about. However, I guess the 15 minute test ride wasn't enough to determine that, after driving about 300 miles, I find the driver seat extremely uncomfortable. It seems to me it was not designed to accommodate long legs, i.e., tall people. I'm 5'10 with a 34 inch inseam and a shorter torso. The problems are as follows: 1. The seat is terrible for good posture. It is too curved, with your mid-back curving inward and shoulders pushed forward (so you are shaped like a 'c'), and the side contours too narrow and stiff. The straighter you have the seat the more it exaggerates that posture putting a lot of strain on your back. This is relieved the further back you can extend the seat, but... 2. The steering wheel does not extend far enough for me to be able to have the seat back enough while being able to comfortably reach it (yes, I extended it all the way, which isn't much). So I'm forced to either have the seat a little further back and strain to reach the wheel or put the seat up straighter and be in back pain. I did not find the lumbar support very helpful, as it pushes firmly a little higher than what would be helpful. I've tried every-which-way with all the seating positions so far and no overall relief. 3. Also, and not a complete deal-breaker but not ideal, the footrest for your left foot is too far up so I find myself putting my foot in-between it and the break so I have more length to rest it. Did they have any tall people test this car when designing it?!!! Seriously. Right now I've placed a smaller rectangular cushion from couch on the seat to push me forward so my back doesn't cave, which is helping a little. I really want to keep the car. I like most everything else about it. I've ordered two different full-length lumbar support cushions and really hope they work. If not, I simply can't live with how uncomfortable the driving experience is and will need to sell or trade this in taking a MAJOR financial hit considering I just traded in a perfectly fine vehicle that was paid off. I can't tell you how devastated I've been about this, hardly sleeping. If anyone has any helpful advice please do share!
I to having the same issue i do not have to be in the car long before i get knee back pain i just got the car week ago and i have 4 year lease and i guess i am stuck with it any suggestionsSo I just bought a 2021 Kona Limited about 3 weeks ago, trading in my 2018 Civic. It had a lot of upgrades to the Civic I was very excited about. However, I guess the 15 minute test ride wasn't enough to determine that, after driving about 300 miles, I find the driver seat extremely uncomfortable. It seems to me it was not designed to accommodate long legs, i.e., tall people. I'm 5'10 with a 34 inch inseam and a shorter torso. The problems are as follows: 1. The seat is terrible for good posture. It is too curved, with your mid-back curving inward and shoulders pushed forward (so you are shaped like a 'c'), and the side contours too narrow and stiff. The straighter you have the seat the more it exaggerates that posture putting a lot of strain on your back. This is relieved the further back you can extend the seat, but... 2. The steering wheel does not extend far enough for me to be able to have the seat back enough while being able to comfortably reach it (yes, I extended it all the way, which isn't much). So I'm forced to either have the seat a little further back and strain to reach the wheel or put the seat up straighter and be in back pain. I did not find the lumbar support very helpful, as it pushes firmly a little higher than what would be helpful. I've tried every-which-way with all the seating positions so far and no overall relief. 3. Also, and not a complete deal-breaker but not ideal, the footrest for your left foot is too far up so I find myself putting my foot in-between it and the break so I have more length to rest it. Did they have any tall people test this car when designing it?!!! Seriously. Right now I've placed a smaller rectangular cushion from couch on the seat to push me forward so my back doesn't cave, which is helping a little. I really want to keep the car. I like most everything else about it. I've ordered two different full-length lumbar support cushions and really hope they work. If not, I simply can't live with how uncomfortable the driving experience is and will need to sell or trade this in taking a MAJOR financial hit considering I just traded in a perfectly fine vehicle that was paid off. I can't tell you how devastated I've been about this, hardly sleeping. If anyone has any helpful advice please do share!
SAME for cloth. Wish I had to do over again. I have never had such an uncomfortable seat. After a 130’mile round trip today my neck and shoulders excruciating pain.wish I would have test drove like never and farther. Im only on day ownership.I so saddens, disappointed by my decision of a Kona.Does anyone know if the uncomfortable seat issue applies to the leather model(s) only or is it the same with the cloth seats i.e. SE and Night edition?
I sympathize with so many of you with struggles and anguish about getting comfortable in a car seat. In various cars over the years, I have taken apart seats to add padding or inflatable lumbar bladders, and even replaced the entire seat with one from a different trim level of the same car. I even drove 2 hours to check out a Recaro seat at a performance shop in another state (did not like it). I kept one car less than a week after making a big mistake!
For my Kona Ultimate, I have found it reasonable comfortable with a few modifications. Here are some general suggestions and some specific to the Kona.
1) Neck: get a neck pillow on Amazon that will strap around a raised head rest. You may need to adjust or replace the foam inside to make it comfortable.
2) Left foot rest: I built one to go next to the brake pedal (tight but it works) to allow the left foot to stretch out a bit. It can be attached to mat to keep it in place.
3) Seat cushions/lumbar supports. There are all kinds of ones that you can get on Amazon for either the seat or seat back. Beaded options can work and some have lumbar support. You just have to order a bunch of them and experiment.
4) Check out seats in other Hyundai cars. I have found that they are mostly the same, though. The Kona N Performance seats have wider shoulder wings but the seat is exactly the same structurally, so would not really help.
5) Custom seats. Recaro and others exist. they are expensive and really complicated in terms or the airbags and electronics. Some states have rules against it and it is hard to find a shop that will do it.
Finally, if you simply can't live with it, trade the car and take the loss. Sometimes the peace of mind is worth it. Just spend a lot of time sitting in a car and driving it before buying. The seat should be basically comfortable from the moment you sit in it. If yo have to fiddle around to find that exact adjustments, it is not the right seat. While it may feel good for on a test drive, you may get tired of it on long trips where you want to alter positions a bit.
For my Kona Ultimate, I have found it reasonable comfortable with a few modifications. Here are some general suggestions and some specific to the Kona.
1) Neck: get a neck pillow on Amazon that will strap around a raised head rest. You may need to adjust or replace the foam inside to make it comfortable.
2) Left foot rest: I built one to go next to the brake pedal (tight but it works) to allow the left foot to stretch out a bit. It can be attached to mat to keep it in place.
3) Seat cushions/lumbar supports. There are all kinds of ones that you can get on Amazon for either the seat or seat back. Beaded options can work and some have lumbar support. You just have to order a bunch of them and experiment.
4) Check out seats in other Hyundai cars. I have found that they are mostly the same, though. The Kona N Performance seats have wider shoulder wings but the seat is exactly the same structurally, so would not really help.
5) Custom seats. Recaro and others exist. they are expensive and really complicated in terms or the airbags and electronics. Some states have rules against it and it is hard to find a shop that will do it.
Finally, if you simply can't live with it, trade the car and take the loss. Sometimes the peace of mind is worth it. Just spend a lot of time sitting in a car and driving it before buying. The seat should be basically comfortable from the moment you sit in it. If yo have to fiddle around to find that exact adjustments, it is not the right seat. While it may feel good for on a test drive, you may get tired of it on long trips where you want to alter positions a bit.
21 - 37 of 37 Posts
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