Mrs W/L owned a Skoda Octavia L&K TD Estate and I owned a Fabia vRS.

I remember many years ago Renault promoted the concept that their seats were comfortable because they were designed with the help of anatomical experts. For it's size the long bonnet 1100 with a rear engine was one of the most comfortable cheap/mid price saloons I have driven.

I thought the discomfort I experienced after an hour of driving of the L&K might be due to the firmness and slipperyness of the new leather.

On getting the Fabia vRS I found the driver's seat for me was very comfortable and supportive- even over longer journeys. Mrs W/L found her passenger seat (Editin the Fabia vRS) to be uncomfortable and lacking the support needed when the car was driven aggressively.

We have sold both the Octavia and Fabia to acquire a Superb Elegance 2.5 TDI with Tiptronic transmission hoping to have one car that was both zippy comfortable and easy to drive.

The seating seemed very comfortable on our demo drives but alas for me the driving seat - despite all electronic combinations- is not comfortable after an hour of driving and causes back ache.

Looking at the range of adjustments it seems to me that even with the anatomical back support set to zero it is not possible to get the bum to the back of the seat and the back angle right to ensure support to the back. Even with my relatively short legs (28.5 inches) I find the length of the seat falls short of support to the thigh behind the knees. The seat tilt adjustment does not seem to compensate for this either.

TBH, I found the Octavia the most comfortable car I've driven in a while. I found the lumbar support a particular boon, given I have frankly appalling posture when sat at work (more of a recline or hunch position).

Now i've been forced into a Poverty-Spec VW Passat, it's rather uncomfortable - no lumbar, no matter what i do I can't get the seat back or headrest in a comfortable position and it's more like sitting in a soft, unsupportive armchair. :(

But, I can't afford to change back to an Octy. :(

Can only speak for the Fabia vRS, but the drivers seat is the most comfortable I've ever sat on.

Don't feel tired or aching even after a 3 hour drive.

Can only speak for the Fabia vRS' date=' but the drivers seat is the most comfortable I've ever sat on.

Don't feel tired or aching even after a 3 hour drive.[/quote']

Agree with you Jon - The Fabia vRS driver's seat is the best for long term comfort of the Skoda range that I have driven so far. I've edited my first post to make it clear that Mrs W/L was not happy with the comfort levelof the passenger seat in the Fabia vRS.

There is a fundamental flaw in the question - you've posed TWO questions:

I rate the seating design and comfort of my Skoda car as follows

I've actually voted "Excellent" based on the COMFORT of my Fabia vRS's seats - I would have voted "Dreadful" based on the visual appearance - i.e. the DESIGN - if that option had been there.

I refused to contemplate delivery of the car until it had been retrimmed.

The light grey cheap looking cloth is probably the worst seating fabric available on a car on sale in this country! (perhaps that's rather overstating it??? )

I can't really vote in this poll because none of the options accurately represents my opinion. In general, I think the seat designs are good (considering the price).

However, the Fabia vRS and Octavia vRS seats need a serious re-think. White/light grey cloth looks good, but is far too difficult to clean. I am fastidious, bordering on obsessive, about the cleanliness of my car, and the grimy seats are driving me to distraction.

I voted for Octavia Uncomfortable. It's the one thing SMWBO does not like about the car, have to agree having sat almost still in a v6 4motion for 3 hours the other day...still good reason to get somthing comfortable

They are for the price ok, but nowhere near as comfortable as my old Nissan Primera GT seats.

There is a fundamental flaw in the question - you've posed TWO questions:

I rate the seating design and comfort of my Skoda car as follows

I've actually voted "Excellent" based on the COMFORT of my Fabia vRS's seats - I would have voted "Dreadful" based on the visual appearance - i.e. the DESIGN - if that option had been there.

I refused to contemplate delivery of the car until it had been retrimmed.

The light grey cheap looking cloth is probably the worst seating fabric available on a car on sale in this country! (perhaps that's rather overstating it??? )

Have to disagree with your statement that light grey is cheap looking cloth.

Yes, I was sceptical that the light colour would mark rather easily. But it's stood up to some rather challenging tests! Plus, I think it makes a change from the usual dreary black or dark greys.

The actual quality of the cloth is very good. My father commented on how good the feel of the cloth was compared with his Ford Focus.

Can only speak for the Fabia vRS, but the drivers seat is the most comfortable I've ever sat on.

I'd agree with the exception of an old Y-reg Saab 900 which was fantastic.

I can't remember what the standard seats were like as they weren't in very long but the recaros were very comfortable and supportive. The Konigs give even more support and are little more comfy. I've done a few drives of several hours without any discomfort. I'm 5'6" and have the height at it's lowest setting and the backrest close to upright; similar to a traditional fixed racing bucket seat.

I can't really vote in this poll because none of the options accurately represents my opinion. In general' date=' I think the seat designs are good (considering the price).

However, the Fabia vRS and Octavia vRS seats need a serious re-think. White/light grey cloth looks good, but is far too difficult to clean. I am fastidious, bordering on obsessive, about the cleanliness of my car, and the grimy seats are driving me to distraction.[/quote']

Comfy seats in octy and fab vrs.

Agree with the above comment.I have a beautiful octy with grotbag seats.Makes me want to pull the seats out when everythin else looks so good and the seats look they have come out of thirty yr old car (despite my best efforts)

Would prefer an uncomfy clean seat to dirty comfy one :(

My opinion is simple

Normal fabia seats are comfortable - hold you in OK, and don't give me any back issues (and I have a dodgy one at times)

Fabia vRS though is bloody EXCELLENT! - bigger bolsters hold your ass in better and generally feel a lot better, same goes for octy too. Which is why I want a vRS interior in my car a.s.a.p, Xav

I always go for comfort over appearance which is why my seats could do with a steam clean now.

I have to say that I never had backache until about 3 weeks after getting my Octavia RS.

It's taken 3 months for my back to get used to the drivers seat :(

If I use the lumbar support it seems to be too high up the seat and not down at the bottom of my back where I seem to now need it (never did need it in any other car though)

It doesn't seem too bad now I've raised the seat in a more upright position but I still find it 'uncomfortable'.

Or I could just be getting old!!!

No I now use a very upright position and find it much better. I have a lower back ligament strain which can come and go as it pleases. The problem I face now is a few more bugers or a huggy seat as I get lifted out of the standard one now and SWMBO does not fair much better when on road...I really do want to see her face when a 4 point harness and bucket seat arrives...with padding of course, I'm not a total monster, but might be a eunuch.

When I first got my car (octy vRS), I thought the seats were fairly hard compared to what I was used to, (but still comfortable, and it is a 'sports' oriented car).

After injuring my back at work though, the rock hard lumbar support was the only reason I could actually drive the car. If the seats had been any softer, or the lumbar support any weaker, the car would have sat on the drive for 3 months.

So i would have to say i'm pretty happy with the seats overall.

for vRS seats then!

I must say that my Fabia vRS seats are bloomin fantastic! They are extremely supportive, and comfy without being too soft. Long hauls no problem whatsoever. The heat makes them even more plush of course!!

However, I prefered the 1995 Fiesta Si seats. They had a sort of wing near the top of the seat which seemed to add extra support in the twisties.

I really do love the Fabia seat design too. The vRS badge and colour combination looks amazing, and keeping them clean after their Diamondbriting doesn't seem too much of a chore. They are less prone to dirt than I was initially concerned about!

I have only had the car for 2000 miles, but am still playing with the driving position though. Can't seem to get it quite right. Will keep playing till I'm happy. The steering wheel seems quite high unfortunately :(

Had my VRS '03 two weeks and got to say I hate yes 'hate' the seats. :(

Which is annoying because the car is otherwise good all round (apart from the glove box handle).

I just cannot get comfy in it, after 5 miles I'm wriggling about my lower back is not fitting the seat. I've tried different heights & seat inclanations. I'm lost what to do with the thing, it's really annoying as I'm 5'10 and under 12 stone so Mr Average build I guess!

Got a 500 mile trip this weekend, I'm not looking 4ward too!

Note so far that there are more favourable reports on the seating of the Fabia than on other models.

Wonder if that reflects:-

1. the response of a high proportion of Skoda vRS owners and reflect the driving position only.
   
2. that most of the respondents have not used the front or rear passenger seats or providing observations from such passengers.
   

Do I recall correctly on the vRS that the passenger seat lacks the lumbar support fitted to the drivers seat? My partner found a back support from Halfords improved the passenger seat for her.

Is the seating on the vRS Fabia more comfortable than on the other models in the Fabia range?

Finally I hope that those who felt deprived of an opportunity to vote on seat colours and fabrics will appreciate such matters are issues of personal choice and what will please some will not please others.

Getting seat designs comfortable and ergonomically and anatomically right is a matter of pure design. You could have the best of engineering designs spoiled by outrageous colours!!!!

The design problem could be that some people cannot get the base of their spine comfortably into the rear of the seat and the lower part of the back support. For example the Superb has an excellent range of seat adjustments for both front passenger and driver seats. For the driver's seat I cannot find a comfortable setting that tilts the seat slightly backward, supports the back of the thighs and at the right height and distance from control pedals.

My seats are fine for long journeys and I used to regular do 2-4 hour drives and get out at the other end without any complaints or problems. Best seats I've had were the figure-hugging wing-backs in the Scooby, and I also quite liked the ones in the new Evo, although I wasn't in the car long enough to give them a good workout.

Chris

has anyone worked out the secret of keeping the light grey seat trim clean? - I have a new Octy with about 600 miles on it and have already spotted the tell tale signs that they are gioing to look shabby quickly.

I have found that occasionally I get pain in the backs of my legs and lowere back - seems to have improved by getting the seat more upright and slighlty higher (common theme?) - although I think it may also be related to very high pedals (compared to my corolla G6R)

From my three then.....

The Octavia seats are comfortable but lack a little under thigh support. The adjustable lumber backrest is good but can feel firm in some places and soft in others.

The Fabia has well proportioned seats but lacks lumber support which is vital on long journeys although it's fine around town.

The Felicia's seat base is too slanted and forces your knees up. The back rest is fairly straight and lacks lumber adjustment. Biggest problem is the lack of height adjustment.

Of the three the Octavia's seats are the best but could do with more uniform padding and tilt adjustment on the base.

My old Scooby had fully adjustable Recaro's which were superb but were a little too firm for mega long journeys. I also ran a Rover 75 for a while and that had big armchairs which were great for long journeys but lacked support when pushing on. Probably the best all round seat I've had in a car was in an Alfa 156 Selespeed Veloce. Just a shame the rest of the car wasn't as well built as the seats.

Cheers

Lee

There is a fundamental flaw in the question - you've posed TWO questions:

I rate the seating design and comfort of my Skoda car as follows

I've actually voted "Excellent" based on the COMFORT of my Fabia vRS's seats - I would have voted "Dreadful" based on the visual appearance - i.e. the DESIGN - if that option had been there.

I refused to contemplate delivery of the car until it had been retrimmed.

The light grey cheap looking cloth is probably the worst seating fabric available on a car on sale in this country! (perhaps that's rather overstating it??? )

omg :eek: , dare I say this but are you always on :confused:

Anyway enough of that...

I quite rate the comfort of the Fabia seats

I voted the Fab vRS seats as comfortable, but lumbar adjustment would have been very welcome. That's my only complaint with them.

Steve

Note so far that there are more favourable reports on the seating of the Fabia than on other models.

I agree. I've recently bought a new Octy 2 withthe leather seats. I used to drive an A4 Avant. I just cant get comfy in the Octy seats. they dont secure or support me me nearly as well as the Audi (or even my old 406)

On the other hand I needed a spot of work done to the car and the dealer lent me a basic fabia estra (classic trim ?) and I was immediatly comfy.

Oh well - maybe I'll get used to it.

Agree with your observations carrdarius.

Was wondering whether Octavia and Superb owners had higher expectations of comfort than Fabia and other less expensive models. That doesn't seem to be substantiated because Octavia owners are stating they prefer the Fabia seat.

Certainly for comfort I would opt for the Fabia vRS front driver seat in preference to that of the Octavia or Superb.

Do the latest models of the Fabia vRS still have lumbar support for the driver and not for the passenger?

Wonder how many of those voting that the seats on the Fabia are comfortable or excellent have sat in the rear seats or use the front passenger seat regularly.

In no way would I swap the back seats of an Octavia or Superb for the rear seats of a Fabia :thumbdwn: