So for some of us it's a known issue, but has anyone found a lumbar fix?

Definitely "over-lumbar'ed" in my opinion...

 

http://www.addonheadrest.com/

Would this relieve some pressure on the lumbar region?

 

It would be nice it they seats were already built that way though. I've always had this problem with cars and always wondered why they make them this way so that your head doesn't touch the headrest, since that's kinda what it's for. If I put my seat straight up enough to have my head naturally touch the headrest my head hits the top of the car which is lame.

 

Honestly if Acura got their s!#t together and did a split-powered seat (see: BMW / Audi / Mercedes) this wouldn't be an issue. The 04-06 TL has great seats and the RL ones are literally a pain in my ass...

 

I'm afraid that I must disagree on both counts. I find the RL seats to be extremely comfortable and even after a couple of 4 or 5 hour highway trips I found them to be comfortable and supportive including just the right amount of lumbar support. I have a bit of a history of lower back problems and I jumped out of my RL after a 4 hour trip and right onto the golf course.
Regarding the headrest, my suspicion is that head restraints aren't designed to act as pillows for your head because pillow + highway driving = asleep at the wheel. If your head is held upright without support, it is pretty hard to fall asleep. Just my guess.

 

Whats wrong with the lumbar? I personally think that the seats are more comfortable than our S2000 and more supportive than the W220 S500 that it replaced. I've gone through many seats (mostly performance oriented seats), and I must say that minus the fact that we don't get the cooled option, that these are pretty good.

 

After driving a lot of cars including Lexus, Infinity, BMW, and Mercedes I chose the RL because I thought it had the most comfortable seats. I do wish the lumber was adjustable up and down not just in and out but I'll take the seats in my RL over the ones in a new 530i.

 

Of all the cars I have owned and driven over the years I have found only one seat that is more comfortable than the RL seat and that is my NSX seat. I think Mercedes must have the worst seats of all the manufacturers of luxury/near luxury cars - BMW seats are not far behind.

 

You do know that the headrest is split, and that you can pull out the front section of it, right?

Took me a few weeks to figure that out.

 

I think the RL seats are quite nice. I find them more comfortable for my body than the LS430 seats.

 

I was driving a brand new redesigned 2005 Lexus ES-330 completely loaded with heated and cooled/ventilated seats. I had to trade the car in on my fantastic RL because the seat was so uncomfortable. The cooling blower motor felt like it was sticking into my gluteus so to speak. It was awful. I even had them replace the seat (man was their customer service fantastic) but it was still horrible. So I was so glad to find the RL (although my wallet wasn't at $15K more.) I am very picky and find the RL seats to be incredibly comfortable, but I must say the interior headspace room and overall interior space lack something to be desired.

 

I still feel like there is a Duraflame log in my back.

Any chance the seat was just built poorly? And the lumbar minimum position is just unusually high?

Dealer was unhelpful over the phone - I'll press the issue when I go in for service.

 

You must have a problem with the lumbar support mechanism on your seat. The lumbar support if anything, is just not there unless you push the button to inflate it. I don't feel it touching my lower back until a few seconds into the fill, and I do feel it when fully inflated but it does not feel like a Duraflame log, perhaps like a Jimmy Dean all beef sausage.

 

Did you know that they opened? I stumbled upon this fact by total accident as I was conditioning the seats last week and I clumsly opened it. To be honest, I thought I broke em!

Anyways, been driving like this for a few days now and I can't believe how comfy the seats feel with the added support behind my neck!


Just thought I'd share, I know theres at least one other guy out there that this is new news to.

 

I realized it shortly before I sold the car.

 

I didn't know the headrests did that!

 

*cough*

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1641

 

Merging

 

The seats in the RL are the most comfortable seats I've ever experienced in any car!. . .. One of the top reasons I purchased the car. I couldn't be happier with these seats. . . Acura did an exceptional job with the design. Absolutely perfect!

 

I tend to agree with folks who find the RL seating to be comfortable. I'm 6' 2.5" and about 225 lbs. I have intermittant lower back pain resulting from periods of physical inactivity, and have fund the lower lumbar adjustment very useful...I keep it fully inflated.

Somewhat OT: However, I did especially like an electric option in a BMW I once tried out at a dealer...it moved a portion of the lower seat cushion forward to more fully support the legs/thighs. It's been several years since I sat in a BMW, so don't know if this is still a BMW option or not. I don't think Lexus has it.

Waaaay OT: the only aspect of the front seating I don't care for is what looks to me to be the purposeful direction of wind/noise into the cabin by that sunroof contraption which pops up when the sunroof is opened. (in all fairness, the Lexus GS430 I test drove last weekend had wind intrusion also...but the sunroof could be opened at speed without being blasted.)

 

I agree, the NSX seats are the best I've experienced...BTW they only have 2 adjustments...forward or back and incline on the seatback. Many 1000 mile plus days
and no problems. The RL seats are pretty darn good too!

Steve W
Seattle