If seat quality and comfort are first on your priority list when it comes to a new vehicle, you'll be interested in this new J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Seat Quality and Satisfaction Study. It names the top three vehicles for overall seat comfort in seven categories.
Overall, J.D. Power says seat comfort and the headrest are two of the top four problem areas in the study. Its researchers say despite all the efforts of automakers to improve seat quality and functionality, the headrest remains one of the top problems for a five straight year in a row, highlighting the need for headrest adjustments is long overdue. When assessing seat comfort, owners who do not have issue with their headrest have an average of 1.0 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), however, when people do indicate having an issue with a headrest, the indication of “seat excessively uncomfortable” climbs almost six times to 6.7 PP100.
“Headrest adjustability needs to be prioritized by seat manufacturers as it does have an effect on overall seat experience,” said “As much as manufacturers can address many of the other aspects of seat quality, overall comfort is lost without a proper headrest.”
Seat quality is measured by the number of problems and level of satisfaction experienced per 100 vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership, with a lower score reflecting higher quality.
Here's a look at the vehicles by category that scored the best in terms of overall seat quality:
Top 3 Mass Market/Small Car
- Kia Forte
- Nissan Versa
- Subara Impreza
Top 3 Mass Market Midsize/Large Car
- Kia K5
- Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Camaro
Top 3 Mass Market Small/Compact Car
Top 3 Mass Market Midsize/Large SUV
- Chevrolet Traverse
- Nissan Murano
- Ford Explorer
Top Mass Market Trunk/Van
- Ram 1500
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Chevrolet Silverado HD
Premium Car
- Audi A5
- Porsche Taycan
- Porsche 911
Premium SUV
- Porsche Cayenne
- BMW X3
- Porsche Macan
The 2024 U.S. Seat Quality and Satisfaction Study is based on responses from 99,144 purchasers and lessees of new 2024 model-year vehicles who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study was fielded from July 2023 through May 2024.
For more info click here to visit J.D. Power.
2024 Nissan Murano interior. Credit: Nissan.