2009 Audi A4 Avant: Sport Package Blues

The bottom on the sport seat does look very flat, but I'd still prefer that nice bolster. BMW does a great sport seat in the 1 series with the adjustable bolsters.

German car seats in general have felt firmer than most.
My champ, though, was the Honda Civic. While driving that, I swear a park bench was under me.

You know, I never understood why only sport seats in german cars get the extendable thigh bolster. It's not something that improves the seat's ability to hold you in, but it does significantly improve comfort for tall people like me. I want it on every car!

@Scott: Then we both are my friend! I am currently in Germany on some much needed R&R and I rented an Audi TT TDI with the S-Line sport package. It basically comes with the same sports seats as the above A4 Avant except with the S-line symbols and they are leather/alcantara combination. All that being said I too noticed the flat bottom cushions and hardness immediately. There is one other slight thing you did not mention however that bugs me a little about the seats. The curve slightly backward where the upright cushion meets the bottom cushion. This leaves a feeling of not fitting quite snug enough in the seat. The lumbar support (that you can actually move up and down, in and out) does not go low enough to alleviate the problem either. On longer trips this leads to lower back fatigue(at least for me). The sport package seats in Audis are very nice to look at but feel...ehh. As someone above mentioned the sports seats in BMW's (1-series and 3 series, M series) are top notch...if not as visually appealing.

3 series sports seats are AWESOME! I sat in one without the sports package and I was aghast at how uncomfortable (and ugly) they are.

The thigh bolster seems really odd at first, until you get used to it. I imagine if I wasn't 6'3" it wouldn't be that big of a deal to not have it, though.

The B6/B7 has some bad non-sport seats. The B8's non-sports are so much better I can't believe it. I also like the light interior, same colors on our A4.

I am in agreement with you here Scott. I feel like Audi's sports seats are a lot like their sport packages used to be: purely for looks with little actual effect on performance. It's like the designers said "well people expect firm seats in a sports package so lets just make them rock hard and call it a day." I used to think Mercedes made some hard seats before I spent time in an Audi. I almost didn't buy the one Audi I've owned because the seats were so bad. I told myself that I would just get used to them. You know what? I never did.

Back in 2004, there really wasn't a sport seat option on A4s until you sprang for the S4 and got the Recaros. I was very impressed with the 2004 A4 Ultrasport seats my friend had, despite looking very unimpressive.

Ya know, I have this same feeling in my GTI. Bolsters are huge, but the seat is too firm and my lower back does have support issues.

Friend has the last gen A4 with the standard seats, and yea, the bolsters aren't as big as mine, but you're pretty well secured, but his seats are way more comfy all the way around.

The seats seem like they rock in the GTI, but they're my least favorite thing about the car. Looks like Audi has the same thing.

That second photo just LOOKS more comfortable. Height is the issue for me, not width. Seats with built in side bolsters and shoulder wings typically are designed for a shorter upper body and hit me in all the wrong places.

"Forgive my amazement, but this has never happened to me before. I always, always, always prefer the sport seats. Must be getting old."

LOL! Welcome to the club Scott, as I just turned 64!

...And I'm with you here. The "softer" seats in my '09 WRX are far more comfortable than the much more firmly blostered seats in my old '06 WRX. They also hold me in position pretty darn good in aggressive driving. A win-win I'd say. :)

Im not sure if the seats Im going to speak of are true "sport seats" but the seats in my best friends MB C230 SPORT 4dr 6MT are soooo comfortable. Great support everywhere with no fatigue on longer trips. I also like the seats in the current Civic Si.

I love the Plaid Cloth Seats in my GTI - firm, supportive and comfortable. They're also made out of a very durable fabric that's easy to clean. Sport, comfort and practicality, all in one! =)

Which gen GTI are you guys talking about? My old boss had a Mk4 GTI and I remember sitting down for a 1.5 hour road trip and the first half hour felt very firm and even hurt, but after I got acclimated I appreciated the firm support for the remaining hour of the trip.

Drove an 09 A4 Quattro today. Wow, that car's just boring as hell. About the only thing it does well is u-turn. Nice interior. Poor controls, too heavy, confused drivetrain/tranny match, and overall just a flaccid car.