Thoughts on seating improvements in the

4th gen.

Well, after 17+ years of driving a 2007 manual Honda Civic, I finally bought a 2023 Tacoma TRD OR. A truck I have wanted for many years. However, after about a week the truck proved to be uncomfortable to drive (legs cramped, sciatica aggravation, etc). I've tried every seating position (power seats) possible and several different seat cushions, but nothing worked. So, regrettably I returned the truck. As a side, I was going to try Seat Jackers, but didn’t have the time to install/test them.

With that, I am going to start looking at 2024’s. Have any of you found the seating position in the 2024 to be a drastic improvement over the 3rd Gen? Especially those that had felt any leg discomfort with the 3rd gen. There has certainly been some chatter about the improvements on the internet, but was also interested in any new thoughts/opinions.

Thank you

 

The seats in the 4th gen are bigger …I test drove one and prefer the seats in my 3rd gen . The seat felt lower in the 4th gen and wasn’t as comfortable for me . I would go test drive one . Comfort can be different for everyone .

 

I had/have left leg sciatica issues years ago and sitting on certain surfaces, whether the shape or hardness, can flareup my leg pain. No such issues in the 4G, I just did an all day drive in 100% comfort.

And as mentioned, comfort is relative. Related: the front cabin spaciousness means the backseat is cramped small.

 

It's too bad you didn't try the seat jackers. They take less than half an hour to install. I love them, and I don't know what I would have done with my Tacoma had they not solved my thigh support issues.

For the record, I used to drive an 89 Olds Cutlass Calais, and I needed thigh support in that ride, too. Being 6'5" will do that...

 

Fourth Gen seats have your legs in a more typical seating configuration rather than way out in front of you in the previous generation, I find the seating far more comfortable… personal preference

 

Only your back will know for sure.

Rent one for a weekend and give it a go.

 

Former sciata sufferer here. Everyone’s injuries are different and the seat that works for one person can be awful for another. In my case I had a lot of people recommend a lot of different solutions like adjustments to seats, rear pocket wallets, and all manner of trivial stuff. In the end, a consistent gym routine and 10 minutes of yoga-like stretching every single morning is what it took to make all the pain go away. Mainly the lifting. Haven’t felt it for several years now.

And I think the 3rd gen seats were changed around 2023, maybe earlier? The ones who needed seat jackets were the earlier models. By 2023 they had altered the design and fit to be more like the jacked seats.

 

Thank you all for the responses!! Yeah, I wanted to try seat jackers, but this truck was from carmax and in addition to not having enough time to install, I didn't want anything on that 'may' violate the 10 day return policy (even if I removed them). I just got back from sitting in a couple of 4th gens. They do seem more comfortable and even with my adjustments to the front seat the back seat seemed to have a bit more room even though it's still not spacious back there.

Regarding renting...where are you doing this? I've been on Enterprise and Hertz sites and they just mention a mid sized truck...not a specific one.

 

I've found my '19 Tacoma to be much more comfortable than the V6 Rav4 that it replaced, but not as comfortable as our '15 Mazda6, which is a dream. Try to spend significant butt time in the 4th gen to see if its going to meet your needs.

 

For me personally, I was more comfortable in my 3rd gen vs 4th gen.

My 4th gen premium seats are a little too stiff for my personal preference.

About 1k miles in, hoping they soften up over time.

 

I realize comfort is a person preference, but I was hoping that the 4th gen had solved the seating issues I had with the 3rd. I may go out and try another 4th gen a bit later today.

One thing I failed to mention is the seats my 3rd gen were leather and seemed very, very 'unused' despite have 11k miles on the truck. They were very stiff. I'm thinking maybe a 3rd gen with cloth seats might work best for me.

As a side - after driving my wife's mazda today, it seems (could be just psychological) that the gas/break pedals aren't quite as 'vertical' in the Mazda as they seemed in the Tacoma and maybe that is throwing me off.

@chuychanga - although in my later years, I do a very dedicated, consistent resistance training program. HOWEVER, one thing I do not do is stretching. And, of course I should probably change that as stretching in this case is probably most important.

Again, thanks for the feedback all

 

I have the 3rd Gen w leather. Those seats are a little stiff.

Gen4 seats offer wider girth, and have more give, both cloth & softex. Quite comfy.

 

How old are you? Are you older than 50?

 

51

 

Keep working out! Hope it doesn’t come back in another decade or so.

 

I am 6 ft 5in and I never had issues with my 3rd Gen. In fact it's the reason I purchased is because I fit comfortably without my knees touching the center. I now have a 4th gen and I think it's 5x more comfortable. The seats I have have a height adjustment so I'm not low in the cab or too high. My knee rubs on the 4wd select but after 2 months and a 700 mile trip I haven't had any discomfort issues. It blows me away how comfortable I am.

 

Just be aware that 4g powered seats give far more optional positions than the manual, such as being able to raise the front of the seat up to support the thighs more. When I got my 24 sport it came with the 'pkg' which included power seats and sliding rear window. I'm like 'why am I paying for things I won't use'. Well, the power seats give me a lot more optional positions and the window gives me flow through ventilation.

 

I wish I had the power seats, but it's a 6000$ upgrade. The TRD Sport MT is 4000$ more than the TRD Offroad, and then need to spend 2000$ to re-add the diff-lock and Bilsteins.

In my mid50s, I find the front of the seat too high and cutting circulation in my legs. I ordered spacers to lift the butt end of the seat: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ordered-seat-spacers.835166/

I also wish the clutch didn't go in that deep in the floor. When the seat is forward enough for the clutch, I find it a hair too close for gas/brake.

 

Try it out for yourself but my wife and I agrees that the new seats and position are way more comfortable in the new truck

 

The new seating position is better for driving for sure. However the new "approach angle" makes it harder for the elderly to get in. My 68yo mother struggles to get in the passenger side and my 89yo grandmother can't even get in my truck. So something to think about.