Not too long ago a wrote about the Jetta's great seating position. This time it's the VeeDub's driver's seat itself I'm going to rave about.
Aside from its odd combination of manual and power adjustments (only the seat back rake is power) the Jetta's seat is an example of how to do seats right. It fits me perfectly; not too wide, not too narrow (especially at the top of the seat back) and its cushions are just the right length. By the way, I'm about six feet tall, about 185 lbs and have a 34 inch inseam.
True, if the Jetta was more athletic I'd would want the seat to have more aggressive bolsters, but for a car with the Jetta's cornering ability and long fuel range its driver's seat is dead on.
What I like most about the VW's seat design is how simple it is. I once had a set of Sparco seats in one of my personal cars and they were brilliant in their simplicity. Sure they were more aggressive than the Jetta's seat, but the philosophy of design is similar.
Like the Sparcos, the Jetta's seats remind me that great seat design no longer needs radical invention or an over emphasis on style or fashion, they just need to fit the human body and be comfortable before all else.
Some other car companies still need to learn that lesson.
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
carguy622 says:
11:21 AM, 09/ 2/09
But could they please stop forcing the leatherette on us. Why is the base model the only one with cloth seats? I prefer cloth to leather, and especially to leatherette.
redliner says:
11:29 AM, 09/ 2/09
"they just need to fit the human body and be comfortable"
Thats true. The problem is that there are alot of diffrent body types. I am also about six feet tall, but I weigh 130 and find the jettas seats too hard.
Im not a huge fan of the leatherette either, but its very durable and you dont have to condition it like leather.
audisport says:
11:35 AM, 09/ 2/09
The leatherette sucks in the summer because you stick right to it and it doesnt breath obviously. But I would rather have it than cloth. The last cloth seats I had were on my 06 DOdge Ram and they looked like crap after year, with a few beverage stains, not to mention dog hair from my lab. The leatherette is insanely durable and easy to clean. Jetta seats are great though. Not too hard, not too soft. Like the seats in my A4.
mikeolan says:
11:46 AM, 09/ 2/09
I don't think the Jetta's seats are too hard- softer than the cloth seats in the Maxima.
However, I have one issue- the buttom cushion could stand to be about an inch longer. It's not Subaru-bad, but they're still not of Nissan/Infiniti material.
Oh yes, I'd prefer cloth to the VTex as well, but at least the VTex is nicer than leather.
civilag says:
11:57 AM, 09/ 2/09
Yeah, that's a good looking seat too. The leather looks nice and tight.
dscain says:
12:11 PM, 09/ 2/09
Audisport is right that leatherette sucks in the summer. The problem is that, here in the southeast, summer seems to last from Feb 15 until November 15. On a 90 degree day with 80% humidity, I'd rather sit on the roof than on a seat that doesn't breathe! I know cloth seats stain, but I'd rather shampoo the seats occasionally than to have a sweaty back 10 months out of the year. Just my 2 cents.
sabastian says:
12:21 PM, 09/ 2/09
Like the steering wheel, I'm going to say that I also prefer the cloth seats in the GTI/GLI. Tartan FTW!
zcalvert says:
01:26 PM, 09/ 2/09
what i like specifically about the vw's adjustment mechanism in these cars is that it allows you to drop the back of the bottom cushion which effectively provides more thigh support.
i'm not sure if this is any good for smaller drivers, but for taller people i think this is a better solution than raising/lowering the entire seat on an even plane (if that makes sense)
audisport says:
01:52 PM, 09/ 2/09
I remember back at the Detroit auto show last year they had a Jetta TDI on display but it was a "sport" edition. It had GTI/GLI leather seats and 18" hufs and suspension tuning from the GTI/GLI. Looked sharp. They should offer it now.
g8gtnorth says:
02:57 PM, 09/ 2/09
"It fits me perfectly"
Key word there, "ME"
That is all.
hurls65 says:
03:11 PM, 09/ 2/09
Count me as a (well done) leatherette fan. I live in San Diego (not known for being cold) and I don't have issues with black leatherette in my BMW.
With your 34" inseam, however, I'm surprised you're not jonesing for the ultimate seat comfort tool -- the extendable/adjustable thigh support. BMW throws this in with their sport seats (I think Audi does too, but I don't have the package on mine). Makes a huge difference for long drives when the edge of the seat doesn't hit mid-thigh.
Previous car was a TSX, had great seats except they were too damn short in the thighs... drove me crazy.
jm1212 says:
03:31 PM, 09/ 2/09
the funny thing is, the same company that makes these simple seats also makes some of the most complicated in the industry: the 22-way (give or take) seats in the A8 and Continental GT
pengwin says:
05:00 PM, 09/ 2/09
i like the leatherette, very durable, leather feel/look, low maintenance.
sabastian says:
06:48 PM, 09/ 2/09
audisport: Sounds like a pretty sweet setup. Have you seen the Mk VI Golf GTD? GTI handling with the torque and economy of a diesel sounds like an excellent combination to me!
adjat84th says:
07:50 PM, 09/ 2/09
We took our TD(blue)I to Florida back in March. A 15 hour drive from VA. Not once did I feel the need to swap driving duties with the spouse...on the way there or the way home. I'm 5'9" and weigh 140lbs.
Also love the steering wheel...best I've ever felt/driven.
ddark13 says:
09:29 PM, 09/ 2/09
my fiancee just bought a jetta SE (same seats) and it fits her 5'3 and me 6'2 perfectlly. they're excellent in their german efficiency. only wish they were power but u can't have it all. they're second only to the ferrari inspired seats in my volkswagen cc.
bkelly1011 says:
01:22 PM, 02/15/10
Does anyone find that the seatback in the Jetta TDI sedan has sympathetic vibrations (especially up near the shoulders) when you're moving down the road? It's somewhat high frequency, moreso when the engine is between 1-2K rpm. For me, it really amplifies the movement of the rear suspension, and is hugely uncomfortable. Worst part - it picks up little bumps moreso than big ones. The vibration goes right up my spine, I feel like I can't breathe at times. When I read reviews like this (and others), I'm forced into trying to figure out if there really is something wrong my car, or if it's just me. I've invested in sheepskin covers and a couple of chiropractor appointments, tried every possible seating position 3-4 times. It's a little better, but still painful between my shoulders; I can't drive the car for more than 1.5 hours. For a car that rides this well it's strange that the seat moves so much. Thanks...