Taycan 18 way seat Discomfort

[Alaattin]

Hello everyone,


I bought a brand-new Taycan 4CT last week and opted for the 18-way seats, hoping they would provide more comfort. However, the side bolsters press against my thighs, and after just 15–20 minutes of driving, they start to ache. I should have tested the seats before buying, but unfortunately, I didn’t. I never imagined that more adjustability could actually lead to more discomfort.


To make matters worse, the left front suspension was faulty, and the service center is currently replacing it. They said it will take 2–3 weeks, and in the meantime, they’ve given me a new Panamera as a loaner. It also has 18-way seats, but they’re far more comfortable with no pressure on my thighs. For reference, I’m 6'1" and 201 lbs—not oversized, though my thighs are a bit thick.


Is there a solution for this? I’m really disappointed. Everything about the car is perfect except for the seats, and I can’t seem to find a fix.


Has anyone else experienced something similar and found a solution?

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[BeeEmm]

Surely the seat bolsters adjust in and out with the buttons.

 

[W1NGE]

Hello everyone,


I bought a brand-new Taycan 4CT last week and opted for the 18-way seats, hoping they would provide more comfort. However, the side bolsters press against my thighs, and after just 15–20 minutes of driving, they start to ache. I should have tested the seats before buying, but unfortunately, I didn’t. I never imagined that more adjustability could actually lead to more discomfort.


To make matters worse, the left front suspension was faulty, and the service center is currently replacing it. They said it will take 2–3 weeks, and in the meantime, they’ve given me a new Panamera as a loaner. It also has 18-way seats, but they’re far more comfortable with no pressure on my thighs. For reference, I’m 6'1" and 201 lbs—not oversized, though my thighs are a bit thick.


Is there a solution for this? I’m really disappointed. Everything about the car is perfect except for the seats, and I can’t seem to find a fix.


Has anyone else experienced something similar and found a solution?

Have you tried all the adjustments - the additional 4-way adjustment of the seat bolsters which the 14-way doesn't have?

Not experienced any discomfort with either 14 or 18 way seats - my only niggle is that the 18-way can take more effort to exit the car due to the bolsters (by design however).

 

[kempez]

Surely the seat bolsters adjust in and out with the buttons.

It does but it depends on how wide you are. They do not go all the way out as they're designed to be more snug and sporty and give you lots of support. I'm pretty wide (even when as skinny as I can be), and mine used to pinch very slightly until I got my arse in gear and lost a little weight/got fitter. Now they're fine.

I'm afraid they are deffo a 'try before buy' thing. I will state that they keep you in place even with 'spirited' driving, though!

 

[chun]

The adjustable bolsters on the 18 way never get as wide as the 14 way default bolsters sadly.

Don't see why the new panamera would be different, it's exactly same seats as far as I know

 

[j.w.s]

Hello everyone,


I bought a brand-new Taycan 4CT last week and opted for the 18-way seats, hoping they would provide more comfort. However, the side bolsters press against my thighs, and after just 15–20 minutes of driving, they start to ache. I should have tested the seats before buying, but unfortunately, I didn’t. I never imagined that more adjustability could actually lead to more discomfort.


To make matters worse, the left front suspension was faulty, and the service center is currently replacing it. They said it will take 2–3 weeks, and in the meantime, they’ve given me a new Panamera as a loaner. It also has 18-way seats, but they’re far more comfortable with no pressure on my thighs. For reference, I’m 6'1" and 201 lbs—not oversized, though my thighs are a bit thick.


Is there a solution for this? I’m really disappointed. Everything about the car is perfect except for the seats, and I can’t seem to find a fix.


Has anyone else experienced something similar and found a solution?

I love the 18-way seats, so nicely snug, but yes they are best for folks with hips that aren't too wide, and a good reminder to try before you buy.
I do agree that the Paamera 18-ways seem wider, which is appropriate for that car I think.

 

[Alaattin]

Panamera seats are way better. I dont understand why porsche would make Taycan seats like that. Even widest settings wont work. It should have been a comfortable electric sedan, not a 911. I even specced it with PAR and 19" rims for max comfort. Never thought about how 18 way seats would fit since i am not oversized.

 

[Not2pc]

You are 100% not going to love this option. Best guess... 1. Take the driver's seat out or the car. 2. Turn it over. 3. Get your torx bits out and seat dismantling the seat and controls section. 4. Find/ feel for guide wire 5. Get it uncovered and with a bolt cutter. Yup, cut it out. You might be able to bend this outward too. How... I don't know. Maybe, stand on it and press down assuming no pano roof? I think the 18 ways you need to b3 lkke 6-1 165 pounds. Any bigger and you get very tightly smushed. My 14 ways at 6-1 @240lbs are fairly comfy as a reference.

 

[kmcdonal]

I usually can make any car seat work, but I really struggled with the 18 way seats in my 2020 Taycan. After two hours of driving, I would really suffer. When I went to a 2025 Taycan, I went for 14 way seats and find them very comfortable. I agree with others that the 18 way seats can be tough for bigger people.

 

[ze_shark]

I am a long standing fan of Porsche 18 way seats and reasonably fit, but i find the Taycan seats a little tight at the butt where the adjustable bolsters have no significant effect. I am not bothered at the thighs or back where i can find the right settings for a wonderfully snug fit.

 

[Alaattin]

Well, I’m definitely not going to break my seats . I already asked the dealer if it’s possible to swap them for 14-way seats. They’re waiting for a reply from Germany, but even if it’s approved, he said it would be quite expensive.

In the meantime, I ordered a honeycomb cushion to raise my hips and legs a little, hoping it gives me a wider seating area. I’m not sure if it will actually be comfortable, though, or how it might affect the seat ventilation.

It’s frustrating — the car is brand new, loaded with almost every expensive option, yet something as simple as bad seat design can ruin the whole experience. And it’s not even a small car...

 

[whitex]

It’s frustrating — the car is brand new, loaded with almost every expensive option, yet something as simple as bad seat design can ruin the whole experience. And it’s not even a small car...

I don't think it's a bad seat design, it's just a design that is not to your liking. I knew a couple of people in my life who only bought cars with bench seats (one large bench seat in the front from left to right - similar to the back seat, but not partitioned at all, sometimes even with 3 seat belts). Those people would hate any car with individual driver and passenger seats, but that doesn't make it a bad design to have individual seats in the front - just not for everyone.

I've read of some people who did end up swapping out their seats in their Taycans, so it is possible, but those were all aftermarket modifications (though installing OEM seats). Hopefully Porsche has a procedure for the dealer to follow to perform this transplant. Otherwise you'll have to find a 3rd party shop willing to figure it out.

 

[chun]

Buying 2nd hand whole seats that match your color would probably be cheaper.

Or maybe you find someone to swap 18 for 14 way.

I definitely wouldn’t buy a 2nd pair of seats through porsche

But before you do anything, go try the 14 way. Maybe you hate them also.

 

[whitex]

But before you do anything, go try the 14 way. Maybe you hate them also.

^THIS

 

[Alaattin]

Buying 2nd hand whole seats that match your color would probably be cheaper.

Or maybe you find someone to swap 18 for 14 way.

I definitely wouldn’t buy a 2nd pair of seats through porsche

But before you do anything, go try the 14 way. Maybe you hate them also.

Well i already tried 14 way seats at the dealer after i realised this problem. They are much better for my thighs, not perfect like panamera though. Maybe i should offer a trade with thier panamera

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