Hi I've had my Octavia elegance 2015 with alcantara seats for 10 days now and I'm finding it really uncomfortable. I've come from an insignia SRI which has very 'huggy' seats. 

 

I get a pain in my lower back and neck, no matter how much I try, it is the manual seat with lumbar support. 

 

Has anyone installed or fitted a car seat cushion or cover to add extra support / bolsters. I think the problem is a lack of under thigh support and side bolster meaning my back is having to keep me upright while driving.

 

Any help is much appreciated, I have 30 days / 1000 miles to exchange the car - i am considering it although nothing else fits my budget as the only other option would be a different Octavia or a superb hatchback.

 

thanks 

how far up / down is the seat? Did you already try moving forwards and up / down? It took me three tries to find something which works for me where I'm not pressing the wheel with my left arm... there's a lot of adjustment available and it may be that trying alternatives really helps. I used to get back pain in the car once upon at time, then I moved everything upwards. Helped an awful lot. With the Octy, I sit a little lower and closer than i otherwise might, with the wheel low to compensate and force me into a comfortable position.

 

 - Bret

It's a Skoda, haha, I thought uncomfortable seats are par for the course.

 

Same trim, same seats. Yes, I also find the seat base to lack cushion support. After very long drives (3hr+) my bottom would feel the hard alcantara surface with every pothole. I agree the combination of lack of under-thigh support plus the upright position is to blame.

 

If you want to sit half laid back, Octavia Mk3 isn't for you unfortunately. I much prefer very laid back driving position but unfortunately it doesn't work due to thick steering column: hitting my knees AND obstructing my view to bottom row of dashboard lights. Only one angle works for me.

 

I chose to live with it because it's only a stop-gap car, a stop gap for 4-5 years of occasional use. It was also the cheapest second hand Adaptive Cruise car I can buy, that has bigger boot than a Golf GT*.

The Renault Kadjar we hired last year had the most sublimely comfortable front seats I and the wife have ever experienced. No fiddly adjustment necessary, could drive for hours on end.

 

Getting back in our Skodas was a bit depressing.

Have driven for 1200 miles in one hit with only stops for food etc and found the seat great, though mine is electric

 

John

Ill sell you a set of vRS seats manual no heated

 

5 minutes ago, JohnnyType2 said:

Ill sell you a set of vRS seats manual no heated

 

Would they fit? Are you serious? How much?

I have my eye on a set from a 2018 vRS but need to check they are still there i would be selling mine. I have to say the vRS seats are the most comfortable ive ever sat it. I do about 5 mins in the wifes Kia (leather heated electric seats) and my back is in spasms so i know that feeling.

I've just ordered this Hoping it will help, I'll report back.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00P3QIXU0/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item

I feel like an OAP, all the car seat cushions seem to be listed on mobility websites 

On 22/10/2018 at 14:47, Oharse said:

I've just ordered this Hoping it will help, I'll report back.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00P3QIXU0/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item

I feel like an OAP, all the car seat cushions seem to be listed on mobility websites 

 

this lasted about 9 miles before I had to take it off. It's going back to amazon today!  It was too thick which made my head way to far away from the headrest and it actually reduced the side support from the bolsters as i was almost sitting on them rather than between them.

 

One good thing was the Octy car seat without the cover seemed extra comfortable when i sat down! 

I am in courtesy car Polo SE 1.0 tsi manual today. Octy in for DSG oil change. The seats are only ever so slightly more comfortable, probably due to fabric is softer than alcantara material.

I moved from a VW golf GTs to my last Skoda Octavia estate, it was like changing from sitting in the seat, to now sitting on the seat. But in all honesty it took me until my now second Octavia estate (same model just newer) to finally get my comfort right. The plus for me on the newer one is the heated alcantera seats rather than non heated alcantera seats. There are sooooo many combinations, stick with it and keep trying little adjustments. 

Hello all. I also had a big problem with the Alcantara seats. As it’s a company car and I have to have it for 4 years I had to really do something about it due to amount of time spent in the car. I too found the feeling of sitting on rather than in the seat as expressed by others. I test drove an SE for a week before ordering my car and found that really comfortable. I had some budget left so ordered the SE L thinking it would be more comfortable.

Due to all the discomfort and lack of lumber support I managed to tweak my back enough to need some sessions at a chiropractor. 

In the end I went to a upholsterer and removed the seat cover, changed out the seat back Alcantara to another Alcantara material type with softer padding and I’m all set now. I didn’t change the bottom piece due to cost.

Having suffered back problems with the car, I can now say I wouldn’t like to keep an uncomfortable car as it will have a big effect on your spinal health. You’ll spend an amount of money for corrective actions and it could end up costing a lot. I’d personally consider getting the standard cloth upholstery Octavia in a lower model but with the options added that you’d like.

Thats just my experience with the pre FL O3 that I have now, hope it helps.

I came from a 3.2 Vectra Gsi, I find the vRS seats far more comfortable. But we're all made different.