I had two Mk1 fabia estates and a year ago changed to a 2017 Octavia (due to ULEZ in Edinburgh). I don't find the seat comfortable at all in the Octavia (upper back feels hunched forward). I should've bought a Mk3 Fabia as I prefer the smaller sized car for parking and I think a bit more fun to drive.

 

I sat in an SE L Fabia recently. Seat and position seemed good. 

 

Might be hard to answer when you're only used to your own cars but I'm wondering if the SE L seats are maybe a bit better than SE/standard.

 

However, having said that, I feel quite likely to want a Monte Carlo, so am wondering if anyone knows how those seats compare.

 

Felt it was worth asking here. TIA

I think you have to have as long a test drive as possible to really assess a seat, If its a new car the seats will be stiffer than a used car and vice-versa, so thats part of the assessment.  Everyones dimensions differ too so you have to rely on your own judgement. Personally I find our Fabia's seat squab to be a bit short and the back rest  not high enough, but its my partners car and it suits her fine. I didn't really like the seats in the pool Octavia either, but the seats in my Karoq Sportline are fine, despite my initial reservations about the headrest which being built as part of the seat back is non adjustable. The seats in the VW Touran I had before the Karoq I would rate as perfect for me.  Prior to buying the Touran in 2013 I was in the process of buying a new Golf Mk 7 2.0 TDI GT, I'd sat in it tried everything in the showroom. Arranged to bring my car in for tradein valuation and a test drive at the weekend.  Test drive was an eyeopener - out on the road the seating was aweful - simply could not find a position where I was both comfortable and had adequate vision. I'm 6' 4" and due to a neck injury have to sit upright, which was achievable but the blind spots caused by the rear view mirror mounting and the top of windscreen pillars made driving in busy streets potentially dangerous.  I suspect you could probably obtain Fabia seats or seats from other VAG vehicles at a breakers or one Ebay that would bolt straight into your Octavia. Might be cheaper than swapping the car.

1 hour ago, thamestrader said:

I think you have to have as long a test drive as possible to really assess a seat, If its a new car the seats will be stiffer than a used car and vice-versa, so thats part of the assessment.  Everyones dimensions differ too so you have to rely on your own judgement. Personally I find our Fabia's seat squab to be a bit short and the back rest  not high enough, but its my partners car and it suits her fine. I didn't really like the seats in the pool Octavia either, but the seats in my Karoq Sportline are fine, despite my initial reservations about the headrest which being built as part of the seat back is non adjustable. The seats in the VW Touran I had before the Karoq I would rate as perfect for me.  Prior to buying the Touran in 2013 I was in the process of buying a new Golf Mk 7 2.0 TDI GT, I'd sat in it tried everything in the showroom. Arranged to bring my car in for tradein valuation and a test drive at the weekend.  Test drive was an eyeopener - out on the road the seating was aweful - simply could not find a position where I was both comfortable and had adequate vision. I'm 6' 4" and due to a neck injury have to sit upright, which was achievable but the blind spots caused by the rear view mirror mounting and the top of windscreen pillars made driving in busy streets potentially dangerous.  I suspect you could probably obtain Fabia seats or seats from other VAG vehicles at a breakers or one Ebay that would bolt straight into your Octavia. Might be cheaper than swapping the car.

Thanks for your input. I did wonder about swapping seats but I think I'd prefer going back to fabia size.