Hi all!

After 15 years of driving Volvo wagons (currently a 2020 V60 R-Design) and now their move away from that body style, I'm considering an E450 All Terrain as my next vehicle. One thing I've always adored about Volvo is the seat comfort. We do multiple 8-12 hour drives throughout the year and while the ride isn't as refined, the seat ergonomics with side bolsters, inflatable lumbar, and leg extension support leaves me with no aches or fatigue.

Seat comfort during test drives of the E450 have been good, but I'm concerned that's not necessarily representative of multiple hours. I learned that lesson on a few previous purchases where the seats were great during the test drive, then finding out differently on the first long haul drive after purchasing. I'd rather not repeat that mistake again.

I'm curious, has anyone here come from previous Volvo ownership and might share impressions of how the E450 seat comfort compares? The Multicontour option does look promising.

Thanks much!

- Dan

 

I came from a Volvo S90 and currently have multi contours on my E450. the Volvo seat to me was more comfortable but not by much. Maybe 20 percent better. Multi contours add the padded head rest and massage over the regular seat

 

I have 2023 E450 sedan with multicontour and ventilation in seats. My wife's GLC seats are comfortable, she does not have multicontour or ventilation. My seats are hard and flat. I have a cushion I use if iI will be more than one hour driving. The seat massage is a nice distraction, but not a real massage. Lots of different opinions about the seats, may be better without the massage and ventilation. The dealer should not object to your sitting in the car for an hour with the engine off.

 

I recently purchased two cars: a Volvo XC60 B5 and an E Class E200 with air suspension. The E200 cost twice as much as the Volvo.

The Volvo seats are perfectly comfortable for both my wife and me. However, I discovered that the E200 seats are not comfortable at all, which was unfortunate because I bought the car without realizing this.

 

I traded my 2018 Volvo V90 Ocean Race for a 2024 E450AT. The OR came with their sport seats which were amazing. A 6+ hour drive was like a 10 minute drive to the Post Office.. I test drove the E with their upgraded seats and they were close to the Volvo's, not as well padded but contoured well. The E that I purchased had the standard seats and I found them just OK. Should have gotten the better seats. But if you're coming from a Volvo, you're really going to be disappointed with the headlights if you don't get the digital light upgrade. The standard LED's don't come with cornering lights or articulating beams and the overall light intensity is sub par in my opinion. I was uncomfortable driving at night, even on very familiar roads. I ended up trading the car in after 12 months, getting an S-class with the digital lights. Those premium S lights are almost as good as what came standard on the Volvo.

 

I looked at Volvo when shopping for a MB '15 C300 replacement. Unfortunately, Volvo no longer makes any sedans. The only choices were wagons or SUVs.

Actually, the traditional 4 door small sedans that don't look like a coupe and are not Asian are extinct. My choices so far are an Audi A3 or a MB C300. Have I missed any small 4 door sedans?

 

Is it the padding/firmness that's off-putting or something to do with adjustments? I thought I read somewhere Multicontour adds inflatable side bolsters, or is that standard?

 

Yikes, sorry to hear. That's exactly the letdown I was hoping to avoid. Did you go for the standard seats?

 

Yeah, the OR is a unicorn...you know exactly what I'm talking about with the R-Design seats, then. Great point on the lighting. My V60 has adaptive LEDs that really light the way without blinding others, and have saved me several times on back roads with being able to see deer off to the sides with its clean wide spread. After nearly 6 years with that, I've taken it for granted. Sounds like the E's Digital Light package will be a must.

 

Seat comfort is certainly a personal preference, it's just that my best frame for comparison is relative to what I currently have. The thought did occur to me to maybe rent one for a long trip to get a more real world feel, I've seen some of the big rental companies offer Es. Pricey to rent, but a lot less than committing to a lease/purchase if the longer test drive turns out to be a bust, hah.

 

Yeah, sedan options went the same way the wagon in the US market has gone...all in favor of SUV/crossovers. Understandable from demand standpoint, I just much prefer the lower ride height, handling, and proportions of a sedan or wagon, the latter also giving the same hauling practicality as most crossovers.

Volvo S60 sedan only recently discontinued, so if you're still in the market you can probably get a great deal on one of those as the year is closing out.

 

So I had 2019 V90 Cross Country, 2019 V60 Inscription with Luxury Seating Package, and 2021 V60 R-Design in the past.

Based on my personal experience, the V90 seats were garbage. The V60 Inscription seats were nicer but the massaging function is very basic. R-Design seats were sporty and wrap you better.

If you are moving from R-Design to E450, be prepared for less sporty seats, which means you can move a bit more while you sit. Get the multi-contour seating package so you can have a lot more adjustability and the massaging function just makes long trips so much better.

 

I’ve got the standard leather seats and they’re the only negative I have relative to the car. They’re flat, firm, sufficient and tolerable but not really comfortable. I’d definitely recommend the upgraded seats.

 

Great feedback from you both, much appreciated!

Valid points on the added adjustability to at least get close to what I've been accustomed to, and massage functions (not something I've had in any prior car) may just be the the added cherry I didn't know I needed for longer drives, hah.

 

I have an EQS SUV with multicontour seat and an E53 without. I think the multi contour seats are more comfortable but its not a clear comparison because these two are very different cars. I had an EX90 inscription prior to the EQS and I can tell you nothing in the car industry is as comfortable as the Volvo nappa leather seats.

 

My seats are Multicontour.

 

Mine are Multicontour too.