2011 Insight - back pain

[DPRoberts]

I just got my new Insight 48 hours ago (base model). I like almost everything about the car - except for the seats. I didn't notice it on my test drive, and I haven't noticed it much on my normal commute, but if I drive for an hour or so my lower back really starts to hurt. After some research it appears that Honda seats are usually like this - too much lumbar support for people with bad posture, I guess. Has anyone else experienced this? Other than trying to sit up straight, is there any kind of solution for this (i.e. certain seat positions, extra cushions, etc.)?

[jcbesq]

play with different seat height and recline options .... perhaps that will help

[DPRoberts]

Originally Posted by jcbesq

play with different seat height and recline options .... perhaps that will help

Yeah, I was just wondering if anyone had found a good combination yet - I'd like to minimize the "trial and error" attempts that end up with me having a sore back for several hours... I'm thinking that I might move the seat closer to the pedals than I normally would, & raising the seat up.

Other than that, I really like this car. I'm halfway into my first tank of gas, and already getting 46 mpg, and rising. I test drove a Fit, which I liked mechanically (peppy engine, great shifter), but I thought the interior was really cheap. I know people complain about the lightness/cheapness of the Insight, but I think it's really a noticeable step up from the Fit. And, with the discount the dealer gave me, this base model Insight was actually the cheapest car on dealer's lot. I really thought I would end up with a Fit, but now I'm glad things turned out as they did, assuming I can get this seat figured out.

[Zwolfe]

Don't forget the telescopic steering wheel, extending your arms forward plays into all sorts of muscles.

[Kocho]

Back fit is a very individual thing. We actually did not buy a '10 Prius last year (when they were relatively cheaper) mostly because both my wife and I are tall and felt the front seats caved-in too much and too low so we both felt we were slouching in them.

We both like the Insight front seats better on the base model we got. All trim levels have the same seats anyway as far as I know. We feel they have better back support for us allowing our backs to be a little less bent/slouchy...

I personally do not feel there is too much lumbar support there. If anything, I think the very low lumbar area could have a bit more

Unlike the Insight, on the higher level Prius trims (level V or others with leather) at least there is an adjustable lumbar support option but we did not think the extra $3-6K to go to that trim level were worth it for us, although the wheels and the supposedly better suspension for the level V were tempting to me

[DPRoberts]

Yeah, I'm sure the seats fit most people, or Honda wouldn't make them. OTOH, I know the Japanese people tend to have better posture than Americans, so that could be part of it. I think, from reading other posts here, that the Active Head Restraint system has something to do with the shape of the seats too - I'm going to try pushing/pulling on those parts of the seat to see if that helps. I've got to do something, my back still hurts today...


That's interesting to hear about the Prius. The first reviews I happened to read dismissed the Insight as a competitor to the Prius, for a variety of reasons (everything from Consumer Reports' bad review to Jeremy Clarkson's scathing piece). Although I like the looks of the Prius, and it does have higher listed gas mileage, I never even considered it since the cheapest Prius is about $5000 less than the base Insight. However, I spent a good chunk of last night trying to find out more about how the IMA works, and found lots of positive reviews, especially on Youtube. Motor Trend, CNet, and others have very positive reviews of the Insight, and even preferred it to the Prius. And, the reports on Fuelly look fairly similar - Prius drivers are averaging 46 mpg, and Insight owners are getting about the same. Like I said, I chose the Insight basically because it was the cheapest car on the lot, but I'm beginning to see that it's probably a lot better than most people are giving it credit for.

[Cobb]

Youcan get lumbar support bladders you put inside the seat cushions, strap on and worse to worse, adapters to add recaro or some other sport/orthodontic seating.

[steve_b1]

+ on play w/ seat position adustments. The Insight seats are very different in structure an adjusatibility from what I've driven in the past (leather, highly adjustable, & sporty). I was dreading my first 6+ hour drive... As I got into the drive I began to realize the seats were actually pretty darn "comfortable". Granted I wasn't getting that laid back relaxed position I was accustomed to but I found I was actually more "refreshed" at the end of the trip in the Insight than in the other cars (and I didn't even have a mid-trip gas-up stretch-stop in the Insight).

[Denisede]

I've experienced the same thing with my Insight. I ended up getting a seat cushion from Amazon that lifted me high enough to access the lumbar area of the seat. I did have to adjust the seat all over the place because I couldn't see the speedometer with the cushion. I'm only 5'2" and it doesn't seem that the seat is made for short people. My taller partner drives it and has no problem with the seat.

[firsthonda]

I use a small pillow for lumbar support.