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How's your butt doing?

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21K views 64 replies 37 participants last post by  Jpete  
#1 ·
I'm curious what other owner's thoughts are on the comfort of the seating in the CX-50. While doing the initial online research, I did hear a couple comments that the seats in this car give the sensation of something being stuck up between your cheeks - and that the stitching is probably the cause.

Going into our test drive, both my wife and I were aware of this, but we felt the seats were really comfortable and didn't get this sensation at all.

Now, a few months later, we took delivery of our new CX-50, and we both feel like the seats (both driver and passenger) are noticeably stiffer in the tailbone area. It's almost like there's a bulge there. I'm not convinced it's the actual stitching either. It feels more substantial than that. Sometimes I don't mind it, sometimes I do, but my wife is actively starting to hate it. Not sure what to do about it.

The fact we didn't feel this during our test drive makes me wonder if there is some level of variation coming out of the factory. I'm also wondering if that, after a number months, the seat will soften up a bit.

Interested to hear opinions on this.
 
#2 ·
It’s my wife’s car, so I don’t daily it but have not the best back/lower back. I get about 20 mins before my back is screaming to get out lol. My wife thinks they are great so at least she’s happy.

Its a little weird cause the CX5 and CX90 seats are excellent and balanced in stiffness/comfort so why they went so stiff on these is beyond me
 
#4 ·
Its a little weird cause the CX5 and CX90 seats are excellent and balanced in stiffness/comfort so why they went so stiff on these is beyond me
Interesting. I found that the CX-90 seats were the same as my CX-50 - couldn't tell the difference. In both, the only issue I have is that the right lower bolster seems to dig into my side. I have to consciously shift to the left every so often(?)

As for the wife's CX-5, I find the seats fine, but my wife prefers the CX-50 ones. Go figgur.
 
#5 ·
I have chronic lower back pain, and I'm aware of the complaints many have had about the seats. But personally I think they are great. Comfortable and good lumbar support, and I don't feel the stitching either. So to each is own. It's my wife's car really,but I've driven it plenty to get a good idea and form the opinion I have.
 
#6 ·
Downgrade to the base seats? lol I own a Base Model CX-50 so the center material is cloth, while the rest is a faux leather like material. The design cue of that center line in the seat is there however I you don’t feel anything because it’s just color design, no leather stitching.
 
#8 ·
I guess it's like a mattress.. some folks need firm for their particular body needs while other's need, and prefer, a softer feel. My wife found the front seats firm last summer when we took out a 2023 model, but was fine in a 2024 model last week. No difference in the seats AFAIK between model years, but different perceptions for sure.
 
#9 ·
I think I have your solution. When I bought my 2023 TP, I knew I didn't like the feel of the seam (why would anyone put a fore-aft seam in a seat?), but I loved the vehicle. I picked up a couple Airlantry gel seat pads on Amazon for about $30 each, which work great. On a 12,000 mile trip around the country last year in the spring and summer was super comfortable, smooths out the seam and is cushy. A big bonus is that the seat air conditioning works better. Instead of sitting on the little holes, blocking the air flow, the gel weave pad and weave cover allow the air to circulate under my butt which while it sounds either silly or wussy, definitely improves the cooling. There are different sizes/thicknesses. I think this is the one I bought.
 
#12 ·
Thanks for this. This is exactly what my wife has been saying - that for road trips she would probably want some sort of cushion.

I've looked a the seat a bit closer, and from what I can tell it isn't the cross-stitching exactly, but more just the confluence of all the fabric seams in that area which make it noticeably stiffer. Still thinking about possible solutions......
 
#14 ·
I have a 2024 Premium Plus, and I heard the seats with the cooling seats were a little stiffer/firmer. I did notice the seam in the beginning, but either I got used to it or my seats are breaking in, but I don't notice it anymore. My wife never noticed it.
 
#15 ·
The seam isn't great but the big problem with the leather in my 2024 Premium Plus CX-50 is the big lump that you sit on. It has no give and is so uncomfortable. I'm miserable and starting to hate the car as a result. I test drove a base model with cloth seats so didn't notice until it was too late. I bought this certified pre-owned with 9K on it. Now I think I know why the other guy traded it in.
 
#16 ·
My old 2023 Miata Nappa Leather seats fit me like a glove, very racy-oriented without a lot of variability available.

My new 2024 CX-50 Premium seats feel more "generic" and spacey; took a while to dial-in, but I think I got it.
 
owns 2024 Mazda CX-50 S Premium Indigo Blue
#19 ·
We just came back from our 10th 1000-km (straight) drive on a mix of highway and country roads. Yes, seats are firm but we don't feel any back or neck pain during or after the trips. Before my cx-50 and my cx-5, I used to have severe neck pain on the days following my long hauls, even if the seats were much softer (Ford, Honda). It might also have to do with the Mazda suspension.
 
#20 ·
The Driver's seat at first was a bit uncomfy, but I've since dialed it in, adapted, and have no complaints.
 
owns 2024 Mazda CX-50 S Premium Indigo Blue
#23 ·
#24 ·
I found an inflatable thigh extender on Amazon. All current car seats without a built in adjustable thigh support are too short for me….I’m 71 and this has been a problem for me since my first car in 1972. I didn’t know it was inflatable (a provided hand pump like a blood pressure cuff) and the middle is open for the ventilated and heated seats still do their magic.

Thigh extender
 
#27 ·
I have heard that the seats that are cooled are uncomfortable. We are looking at 25 cx50 models. We are considering the preferred or premium with non cooled seats. This thread is scaring me away from a cx50 because I don't know if the complaints are only on the premium plus or higher trim level.
 
#28 ·
because I don't know if the complaints are only on the premium plus or higher trim level.
Mine is the Premium Plus:

I don't understand these complaints. I find the seats perfectly fine and cannot tell that the center stitch panel is even there.
Just go to a dealer and try it out. Take one on a long test drive & decide for yourself if you have a "Princess and the pea" butt :D
 
#30 ·
One of the major reasons for trading in my '19 Mazda3 GT was the seat. Not uncomfortable in any way, but for some reason the right thigh bolster irritated my IT band something fierce during any more than a 1/2h drive. I would have to pop Tylenol for any trip over 2 hours.

Very similar seat feel in the CX-50, but slightly wider seat I think, so no IT band pain anymore. I've done 5-6 long trips now and had no issues.
 
owns 2024 Mazda CX-50 Meridian Apex
#31 ·
2024 CX-50 Premium Plus. Big reason I bought the car was for the vented seats! Lol. They only cool when you turn on the cooling feature otherwise not cooled or heated for that matter. Love the car, love the ride, love the back seats, love the front seats, love the cargo space, love the looks, but, mostly, love to drive the thing. I bought the car because it's fun to drive and - oh,yeah - the vented seats.
 
#32 ·
2024 CX-50 Premium Plus.

Love the car, love the ride, love the back seats, love the front seats, love the cargo space, love the looks, but, mostly, love to drive the thing. I bought the car because it's fun to drive and - oh,yeah - the vented seats.
If you're a 'driver' it doesn't get better for the money. I looked at/test drove a $100K Porsche Mecan, and yeah, REAL NICE interior, great RWD performance, but not as good looking and not $50k more car.
 
owns 2024 Mazda CX-50 Meridian Apex
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