I just completed a 3300 km road trip, and found this car to be the most comfortable of any I have even owned, incl some luxury cars. Wife said the same thing. You just have to find the right adjustments for your body, and it should be good. Personally, I prefer a higher adj level, while some prefer lower. Lower, I think, is not as good for your body on a longer trip.

 

I am experiencing the same issues. My right ankle is in a lot of pain as well as my hip/ buttocks area. I have had the car for about a month and it is only getting worse.

 

My father has a 16’ outback and he has said it’s the most comfortable car he’s owned. He’s getting a bit older and has two fake knees now. That surgery fixed most of his discomfort but driving long distance is still a bit uncomfortable for him. He mentioned once that his knees hurt most when they were more bent for long times. He started raising the seat up higher and moving it back a little to allow his knees to extend more. That and sitting more upright reduced the discomfort for him most. Sounds like that’s in line with what other people suggest, too.

 

I also use ACC on trips, so that allows you to find a more comfortable position for your feet.

 

Seats are designed to conform to a certain 'average' body type - ie height, weight, build, physical condition, posture... If you happen to fit into that 'average' you will probably find the seats just fine. If you don't, I suspect that there will be issues until your body and seat conforms to each other OR one is forced to conform.

 

I agree in that my 19 cloth seats are the most uncomfortable seats I have ever had for a car. Been driving for 40 years. I just completed a 640 mile one way trip to Montreal and then back. My right leg also cramped. neck cramped. back ached and mu butt hurt. I had to constantly shift my position. The drive up we broke into two 5 hour legs. Very uncomfortable. We did a straight 13 hour (heavy traffic and weather) drive back. WOW was that the worst. the car ride and handling was great. the seats were horrid. I'm 6' 190lbs. My daughter is 5'4" 130 and she also complained.

 

Somehow I find the seat is not very comfortable, for long distance finally I chose a bit hunch position raher than straight like rally driver to be more bearable. If I lean to the back, most of the time either my shoulder or neck stiff within an hour.

 

seats are like shoes. comfort is subjective and all but a few will adjust.....or it could be aging or an injury. if it doesn't work for you there are cushions etc you can try

 

This was actually pretty common in Jeep Wranglers, enough so that several companies made aftermarket "seat risers" to lift the seat up anywhere from 1/2" to 1.5". Seats were too low to the floor that the knees were elevated more than should be with pressure being placed further back on your rear end/spine than dispersed under your hip/leg evenly. My Jeep was almost un-drivable for me as the knee pain you experience was horrendous. I've had knee surgery in the past and odd angles create discomfort quick. After installing 1" risers, pain totally gone. I've only driven my wife's Crosstrek twice now but found yesterday after about 40 miles, the reminder of the knee pain came back in the car. I elevated the seats as much as I could to even pressure on back of legs and was able to eliminate the issue. The seats then felt actually really nice. Took a bit to adjust but thankfully there is enough built into the car I was able to get it to where it felt good and knee issues went away. Start out by moving closer to wheel and lifting up higher to get even pressure. Lean seat back a bit for head/arm clearance. I'm 5'10" and about 215 so not exactly "small" and was able to find a good position in the car that eliminated the knee strain and actually felt good. Hope that helps.

Best of Luck,

Mike

 

Also, don't forget that you can pull out the steering wheel and adjust it up and down as well. I find it hard to believe with the range of adjustments, a comfortable position can't be found. And yes, higher and back further is better, at least for me.

I also compare my Crosstrek seats to my son's Tesla. I can't believe how bad they are for such an expensive car. First the leather is hard and not perforated, and makes for a sweaty butt in short order. And it is so low down that you feel like you are sitting just above the road. Luckily the dash (no dash actually) and front "hood" are very low too, so you can still see forward. Can't raise them much as your head would hit the roof. And getting in and out is a real exercise. Anyway, if you want to experience a really uncomfortable seat, try the Teslas.

My Kona is not bad, lots of adjustments, and does have ventilated seats (very nice). But they are a little on the hard side, and I prefer the softer Crosstrek seats. Like I said, they are the best I have ever had in any car that I have owned or driven.

 

EDIT: I have cloth seats

I don't find the Crosstrek seats to be terribly uncomfortable but they also are not great. My major gripe is the brutal lack of lumbar support. Not lumbar support adjustment, simply lumbar support. It feels like there is a black hole in the where the small of my back falls when seated. That being said, the lack of lumbar support means that adding an aftermarket one doesn't feel intrusive.

The Xtrek is the first car I have owned with a telescoping steering wheel and I find that to be a nice way to adjust seating position. I have found the key to comfort in the car is to vary your seating position every now and then. I don't believe there to be any one single position that is right while driving so keep yourself moving. Pull over to stretch you legs. Try telescoping the steering wheel all the way toward you, hopefully allowing you to stretch out your legs more.

 

I am curious as to those that find the seats comfortable if you have the cloth or pleather seats.

 

Cloth.
My daily commute is 100 miles round trip, also live 7 miles from the nearest store so I spend a lot of time in my xtrek and find it very comfortable however I did have to make adjustments to seat height and steering wheel.

 

I have the leather, and very comfortable.

 

I have the "leather" seats. I have an extremely bad back with multiple herniated discs and torn ligaments (neurosurgeon says I need a fusion, which I'm avoiding for as long as is humanly possible). I'm often in pain and/or have a hard time walking.

I find the seats in my '18 limited as comfortable as any car I've ever owned.

What I do know from experience is that this will vary widely from person to person, based on body mechanics and where you may be injured or need supports, etc.. My spouse had a truck that caused me excruciating pain. I could never really figure it out or fix it. The way the seat was contoured hit me in the worst possible spot and there was no way to make it better. Yet he loved the seats, felt they were very comfortable.

This is definitely one of those "YMMV" things. I find it hard to fault the manufacturer when there are about a million variables which contribute to someone liking or not liking a particular seat.

 

The 2019 Crosstrek is my 11th new car since 2001. My job requires a new car every 2 years. I am in the 3rd month of my lease. There are a lot of things to love about the Crosstrek, but the rock hard seats are not one of them. Thankfully, the heated option helps with the pain. I am 6 ft 175 lbs and in better shape than most. Subaru seriously should investigate memory foam.

 

Most people have pelvic issues that cause problems from the head all the way down to the feet. John Barnes Myofascial Release is very effective for those open to it, there is also chiropractic and yoga that can help with alignment and pain.

My seats are cloth and I have done fifteen hours with no issues (late 60's 5'10"), my buddy was with me (a year older, 6'4") same trip, no issues, and he has knee pain. This is easily the nicest riding and most comfortable car I've owned.

artosa

 

Agreeing with artosa that taking measures to keep your body in proper alignment can go a long way. Chiropractic, yoga/stretching, and being conscientious about your posture can be game changers. I was hit by a truck that ran a stop sign while on my bicycle (wish that was hyperbole). I attribute my chiropractor and doing just a little, VERY basic yoga and posture exercises to being able to return to relatively normal life as little as a month later. Unrelated, my mother (a medical professional) was able to lower her blood pressure and avoid being put on blood pressure medication by using chiropractic and yoga. Too many today hear "holistic medicine" and think that it is hippy dippy BS when it could really change your life.

That being said it is totally possible that the seat and driving position is just not a good fit for you. At the end of the day this is one of the smallest cars Subaru offers and it is not loaded with extra room.

 

I have plenty of leg space. height etc. its the hard seats thats my issue.

 

I have bad sciatica issues with my right side, and with all our other vehicles (all Toyota) my sciatica hurts. I sat in both fabric and leather seats in the crosstrek and adjusted the seats. I could tell immediately that the cloth seats were uncomfortable for me (the pump adjustment didn’t help). The leather was quite comfortable, and is the only vehicle of ours that actually helps with my sciatica. Perfect amount of lumbar support too. Shoot, even the back seats are very comfortable and supportive.

So there you go, proof right there that it’s all subjective.

 

Took me awhile to get comfortable in mine. First vehicle without power seats a many a moon. I found the sweet spot is when I sit up straight as I should anyway. Firm there but almost custom cush for my tush. BTW, someone posted the Jag video on proper seat adjustment a few months back. Some scoffed, but I played the video on my phone while going through the adjustments and it definitely helped.

 

can you give more details on where to find that video.

 

 

I experienced it with my 2016 Forester base model with the crappy seats/interior. We now have a 2018 Crosstrek Limited with leather and they are super comfortable.

 

You might go to the doctor. It sounds like you have sciatic nerve damage

 

I love my 2018 Crosstrek with the exception of the seats. Im wondering if there are others who experience this also. My right leg actually hurts after driving any distance. I just cant seem to get comfortable. Im normal height and weight, so I really cant pinpoint the issue other than when I get out of the drivers seat my leg feels stiff and painful. It only happens when Im in the car so its not an injury etc.
Im honestly considering trading my car because I can't envision myself driving it for the next several years. I have found myself recently dreading having to drive anywhere.
Any similar experiences?

I have a ‘14 Crosstrek with the leather seats and agree that they are not comfortable. I bought my car new and was going on a road trip from California to Virginia (3000+ miles) but experienced excruciating right leg pain after driving only 90 miles. Tried every seat and steering wheel adjustment possible with no improvement. Ended up purchasing a seat riser/wedge and have not had a problem since. Love my car and don’t mind having to use the riser/wedge. Of interest, my son is comfortable driving without the riser/wedge. Recommend you give a seat riser/wedge a try if you really love your Crosstrek.

 

I have a 2014 XV Crosstrek and after adjusting the seat to the highest position its working fine after 5 years. I drive a lot to Cape Cod which can run 4 hours to 8 hours and feels great. I do have a right hip problem so I purchased a 3 inch thick cushion which it makes driving even better. Love the Crosstrek and it is the best car I ever purchased..Play with the adjustments and if needed buy a cushion...if that is all that is wrong with the car that's minor...good luck..

 

I own a 2019 Crosstrek Limited, and I bought the Limited edition because of the power seats since I have various issues that cause me pain when I'm not sitting in a comfortable position, and also since I am shorter than "average". In reading these posts I wish people stated what model they drive since it seems that there may be a difference between the power and manually adjusted driver seats. When I first drove my car I had a hard time getting the right foot comfortable on the accelerator pedal, but since driving it a few months I seem to have adjusted to it. I love the fact that I can raise the seat really high and see over the hood as well as my 5' 11" husband! I often change the seat adjustments several times while driving - maybe I'm just getting obsessive and enjoying the fact that I can adjust it so many ways, but I haven't experienced any pain related to these seats!

 

2018 Premium here. I’m 6’1”, skinny, old, with back and pelvis injuries. I find the cloth seats to be quite comfortable. They are on the hard side, but I sleep on a fairly hard mattress. The key is to use all those adjustments. Experiment. On long trips, if you start to feel uncomfortable readjust something - your body isn’t designed to sit in one position for hours, so change things up.

 

I drive a 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid Touring with Leather seats with just over 30,000 miles. The position that I have the seat set at both up and down is comfortable. But the seat, not back, is the hardest seat I have ever sat on and after just 1 hour of driving into the mountains of Colorado, my rear end is starting to hurt.

I guess a seat cushion could be an answer, but feel that a $30,000 vehicle positioned at the top of the line in 2014 should have softer seats. Or maybe after the mileage that I have driven it is not broken in??

I have driven American large and small cars and foreign small cars including Datsun 240 & 260Z's, none had this hard a seat.