Ironically, the non-recaro I found are more comfortable for longer drives, but the recaros are snugger feeling. Not saying the Recaros are bad but they a tad firmer.
Recaro vs. Non-Recaro
Hi all,
Been reading up on this on the forum but didn't see a ton of specific discussion on this. In the market for a Gen 2 CTS-V for a myriad of reasons that ultimately condense down to "it's a sharp car I can drive to work during the week and then drive it to the track on the weekend". Full disclosure, I haven't actually driven one. I know I'll be plenty pleased with the power and handling capabilities, but the one thing that is a significant factor in my purchase is the seat decision. Been dealing with mild back/sciatica issues lately and certain cars are a trigger -- I can drive all day on the track in my road course car (2002 Camaro SS that is rigid and completely void of creature comforts) without any issue, however my daily driver (Volvo S80) and the wife's Armada set the back/legs on fire in a 20-30 minute drive. I'm 6'5", 215 lbs. so space matters but the snug fit seats tend to do better for me.
What I can't seem to find a ton of feedback on is opinions that seem to favor or prefer the Recaros vs. the non-Recaro seats in these cars. Anyone have feedback they can provide on if that was a decision item for your CTS-V purchase and any thoughts you have on the fit of one versus the other.
In the meantime, I keep trying to find one of these in the greater Atlanta area I can test drive to get a better idea of the seat feel. Sadly, that's likely going to have to happen before I can pull the trigger on buying one. Thanks!
Been reading up on this on the forum but didn't see a ton of specific discussion on this. In the market for a Gen 2 CTS-V for a myriad of reasons that ultimately condense down to "it's a sharp car I can drive to work during the week and then drive it to the track on the weekend". Full disclosure, I haven't actually driven one. I know I'll be plenty pleased with the power and handling capabilities, but the one thing that is a significant factor in my purchase is the seat decision. Been dealing with mild back/sciatica issues lately and certain cars are a trigger -- I can drive all day on the track in my road course car (2002 Camaro SS that is rigid and completely void of creature comforts) without any issue, however my daily driver (Volvo S80) and the wife's Armada set the back/legs on fire in a 20-30 minute drive. I'm 6'5", 215 lbs. so space matters but the snug fit seats tend to do better for me.
What I can't seem to find a ton of feedback on is opinions that seem to favor or prefer the Recaros vs. the non-Recaro seats in these cars. Anyone have feedback they can provide on if that was a decision item for your CTS-V purchase and any thoughts you have on the fit of one versus the other.
In the meantime, I keep trying to find one of these in the greater Atlanta area I can test drive to get a better idea of the seat feel. Sadly, that's likely going to have to happen before I can pull the trigger on buying one. Thanks!
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Yeah, I found the Recaros difficult to get to be comfortable for me for my car. Adjusted to no end but always at the end of the drive I'd be hurting.
I hope you are looking at sedans. The first V I sat in was a coupe and they have less headroom. I have a bad lower back and the lumbar support on the non-recaro seat is in the perfect spot for me.
I've driven vehicles with both, and I prefer the non-recaro seats. IMO they are more comfortable. Neither of them are as sporty/snug as the recaro seats in my Focus RS2 were (which I consider fairly aggressive for OEM seats).
Thanks for all of the replies -- this is exactly what I was needing to hear. I was talking to a guy earlier in PA about one that is for sale and he indicated that he preferred the non-Recaro seats as well as a "bigger guy".
Yes, definitely looking at the sedans. Love the coupes but that just isn't going to offer me the kid transportation flexibility I need and the head room issue (which gets worse when you throw on a helmet for a track day) is a non-starter.
Yes, definitely looking at the sedans. Love the coupes but that just isn't going to offer me the kid transportation flexibility I need and the head room issue (which gets worse when you throw on a helmet for a track day) is a non-starter.
Having owned both, I too must side with the non Recaros...
Wow, this is not what I expected.
I originally owned a 2010 regular CTS wagon with non-recaro seats. My 5' 10" 165 pound frame found them extremely uncomfortable for long distance driving. As I looked for a V wagon i determined recaros were a MUST. Fast forward to when I bought my V wagon in 2014 and was beginning my 1200 mile drive home, the very first thing I did, as I had lots of time, was to dial in my seats. I did exactly that and here it is eight years later and I have not changed the seats at all! I love them. As I neared my home in NE Florida I felt I could easily drive another 500 miles to the Keys they were that comfortable.
One other thing - you are a big man. If you track your car you will probably not want a sunroof as it will take away head room. They also can back up at the drain termination points and cause flooding inside.
I originally owned a 2010 regular CTS wagon with non-recaro seats. My 5' 10" 165 pound frame found them extremely uncomfortable for long distance driving. As I looked for a V wagon i determined recaros were a MUST. Fast forward to when I bought my V wagon in 2014 and was beginning my 1200 mile drive home, the very first thing I did, as I had lots of time, was to dial in my seats. I did exactly that and here it is eight years later and I have not changed the seats at all! I love them. As I neared my home in NE Florida I felt I could easily drive another 500 miles to the Keys they were that comfortable.
One other thing - you are a big man. If you track your car you will probably not want a sunroof as it will take away head room. They also can back up at the drain termination points and cause flooding inside.
I like my recaros because they not only give my sports car a sports car look, but they are also very functional for keeping you in place. I have never tried non-recaro seats, but they look more comfy. The farthest I have travelled was roughly 3 hours and I was pretty eager to get out of the seats by the end of the trip....
I had a similar experience, bought my v and drove 1700 Kms home nonstop except for fuel after a flight . I tweaked the settings for the first few hundred kms and they’ve been in same setting since . I did find I had to adjust lower back to keep from pressing on lower back and they have a slight squeak if lowered all the way but I have them just off bottomed out for headroom ( coupe with a sunroof ) . I’m 5-11” about 165 .
Thank you for the heads up on the sunroof -- hadn't considered that at all but it makes sense.One other thing - you are a big man. If you track your car you will probably not want a sunroof as it will take away head room. They also can back up at the drain termination points and cause flooding inside.
I'm 6'5" and hovering around 270lbs right now. I've got Recaros and I think they're nice seats, when I bought my car I drove it nearly 2000 miles across the country and was fine. I've never sat in a non-Recaro car so I wouldn't be able to compare directly but if you do any road course stuff you're definitely going to want the Recaros during that stuff. I've got a dedicated w2w racecar so have no desire to take the V on track, but for airstrip events and stuff I do fit in the car just fine with a helmet. It's a slicktop, and I think if I had the sunroof version I would probably be running into helmet clearance issues.
wow really? I always feel just fine on long multi-hour road trips in my V with the standard seats. Huh. I do wish they had a bit more side bolstering though. Definite ab workout when taking corners.Yeah, I found the Recaros difficult to get to be comfortable for me for my car. Adjusted to no end but always at the end of the drive I'd be hurting.
I love my Recaro seats. I’ve slept in the car before. But, I’m 5’7” and 165#.
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I bought my V with the Recaros for looks. Turned out to be some of the most comfortable seats I've had in a vehicle.
I have lower back issues, bulging discs that flare up every now and then, and the Recaro seats firmness help keep my back straight and comfortable.
I don't like soft, squishy, sink into seats. I had that in a 87 Cadillac Deville.
I have lower back issues, bulging discs that flare up every now and then, and the Recaro seats firmness help keep my back straight and comfortable.
I don't like soft, squishy, sink into seats. I had that in a 87 Cadillac Deville.
At first, I thought my Recaros were not comfortable at all. It just took getting used to them and now I think they are fine. The only issues I can complain about is a little bit of movement in the tracks and the seat heaters are not quite as good as they should be. I can hardly tell when they are on. The heaters in my Pontiac put these to shame.
Wife had a 11 CTS AWD with regular seats. Seats were comfortable but with no support.
I drove several V's with Recaro and non at Monticello Raceway during the Cadillac sponsored racing academy in 2010.
I knew I had to have Recaros.
I drove several V's with Recaro and non at Monticello Raceway during the Cadillac sponsored racing academy in 2010.
I knew I had to have Recaros.
I have Recaro seats and love them. I have a friend with the non Recaro seats and he loves them. He hates my Recaro seats since they are so hard. I have mine adjusted just right and they work great. I would hope that I could drop the seat but the tracks are so tall you are stuck if you want the tilt function to work. I have taken mine out and crimped and bolted parts to get rid of the rocking chair effect. It has been a couple of years and no rocking thus far.
Thanks for the feedback on this. Ending up picking up a 2012 sedan without the Recaros so we will see how they work shortly.
Good choice! I have to put my 2 cents in. I have both. In my opinion, and I’m a pretty big guy some would say, at least compared to my wifes frame of 110lbs. 6ft 205lbs. My V has Recaros and my DD(3.6) does not. As much(more) as I love the V, I feel more comfy in the DD Without the Recaros. I think it’s very important that the Recaros are adjusted properly. Glad you found your V. Have fun!!Thanks for the feedback on this. Ending up picking up a 2012 sedan without the Recaros so we will see how they work shortly.
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