Seats in 2022 (not Refreshed)

sbbamafan · April 30, 2022

First - I apologize for what is about to be a long post but I am going to start at the beginning. I have a history of minor back problems but have not had any issues in seven years. I got my truck right before the end of 2021. Right after new years I started having regular lower back aches. I did not attribute anything to the truck - in fact I thought the trucks firm seats might be good. However my condition seemed to be getting worse. Three weeks ago I had three road trips within a few days. Atlanta to Huntsville, AL to Chattanooga, TN and back to Atlanta. Atlanta to Chattanooga and back to Atlanta. Atlanta to Tuscaloosa, AL and back to Atlanta. Upon my return to Atlanta following the last road trip on April 10, my back went totally out that night and over the next couple of days my conditioned worsened to the point that I had to take an ambulance to the hospital because I was unable to move and in tremendous pain by Wedneesday. I was discharged on Thursday but still in rough shape. Over the next few days I developed far worse excruciating pain like I did not know existed and was hospitalized the following week for four more days. I have just been out of the hospital about a week and become somewhat mobile. I have a herniated disc with a pinched sciatic nerve. Let me say, I lifted nothing and did nothing strenous that preceded this. Furthermore, I am 55 and 6' tall and 172# and in generally very good health and I can only think of the road trips as a contributing factor to my current condition. My wife actually pointed it out first and I initially defended the truck but the more I thought about it, the more I think she is right. I am not claiming it is all the truck's fault - I think I have/had and underlying condition that the truck must have exacerbated. That said, I cannot live with these seats and need to find a solution. I am open to suggestions - regardless of cost, as I really like the rest of the vehicle and I just got it.

I have thought of a few things so far that I will investigate.

Seats from maybe something like a 2017 era Escalade. It would seem that the frames would fit (being a GM product) and maybe the heat/cooling stuff might fit too. Obvioulsy I have no idea about any airbags in the seats or any of that stuff.
Seats from a Buick Enclave(again a GM Product). These are probably comfortable but again no idea about connectivity, etc.
Taking the current seats to a qualified automotive upholsterer and having the foam redone in some way to make it more comfortable.
Installing an RV captains chair if they will fit. Again - connectivity and airbag issues. I know these are very comfortable as I used to have an RV. Something like one of these...https://shop4seats.com/rv-furniture/rv-captain-chairs.html

In the interim I am going to use a gel/memory foam seat cushion but I want a permanent solution. Of coarse - I cannot even drive yet....it has been three weeks and I have not been able to sit longer than it has taken me to type this. Getting stir crazy....

Again - I am looking for other suggestions. Thanks in advance.

Jrodpic · April 30, 2022

Have you tried using the heated seat when you drive especially on the longer trips?? My wife does it and I thought she was crazy. To me they were always for when it is cold. I tried it and it actually helps quite a bit.

reeseb · April 30, 2022

Sorry to hear about your pain! I've been wondering whether the refreshed 1500s have more comfortable seats. If they work better for you, it may be a good option to trade your truck in.

Does anyone know of the seats were improved with the refresh?

sbbamafan · April 30, 2022

I did try the heat and it did not help. Quite frankly, I don't want to bake and sit on a brick as a 'remedy'. A second concurrent form of discomfort doesn't fix another. From research I have done, it seems the refresh seats are the same - but I have not seen them first- hand yet.

Edited April 30, 2022 by sbbamafan

dieselfan1 · April 30, 2022

3 hours ago, reeseb said:

Sorry to hear about your pain! I've been wondering whether the refreshed 1500s have more comfortable seats. If they work better for you, it may be a good option to trade your truck in.

Does anyone know of the seats were improved with the refresh?

Same seats

GETGONE · May 1, 2022

Nobody can seem to confirm anything with seats. Someone said 2021 the seats were changed slightly, but I don't know how as they look identical to the 19-20 seats. Some people claim the higher trim models have nicer seats. I haven't sat in any to know. Someone else also claimed their new refresh 22 had better seats than their older T1 truck. People complained about how bad the seats were and I took my first long road trip ~6 hours a few weeks ago and I didn't have any pains and I'm one to have back pains just twisting in bed wrong! I think they're stiffer than my 08 Avalanche leather seats but those are power and power lumbar as well as heated. I have leather to go in my Custom to replace the cloth as well as seat heaters. I'm also going to install a Rostra lumbar unit at least on the driver side. The passenger can suffer! LOL. Are your seats power? Power wasn't an option for the Custom in 21 and was added in 22. I've been looking on and off for a power seat to replace mine as it can be fine tuned better than the manual adjust I have now.

Edited May 1, 2022 by GETGONE

sbbamafan · May 1, 2022

My seats are power on both sides. FWIW, my wife was so uncomfortable in the passenger seat and found it so hard, she preferred to ride in the back seat in the one trip she took with me.

The other option I obviously have is to trade the truck for the High Country but I really don't know if it has better seats either. Does anyone know? I hate to spend the extra money just for the seats....I know I will get other features too.

Edited May 1, 2022 by sbbamafan

TWood403 · May 1, 2022

Sorry to hear about the pain you're dealing with. I have no experience with the product but what about getting katzkin leathers installed. I believe they have built in foam but I'd be curious to hear if they change the overall comfort of the seat. I know a lot of dealerships offer them as aftermarket upgrades and there are approved installers across the country. Maybe someone on here has experience with them. I'd also be curious to hear about before and after thoughts and price on them.

Mandalorian · May 1, 2022

Seats are one of those things that are just about 100% individual dependent and are going to involve some degree of trial and error. My advice would be to rent or use Turo and just try out a bunch of vehicles for weekend road trips.

seamus2154 · May 2, 2022

Gm has the worst seats. Its the ergonomic design along with terrible cushions. I have had many years of the last generation and tried everything. Replacing cushions, cutting cushion out and lnstalling better cushion at interior shop. Different leather covers. Removing the bubble wrap ventilated seat. Tried everything. Its the design of the seat. It sucks. I sat in a 2021 and felt it was a bit better and the new car smell made me buy it!!! Now months later my back is an issue again and these seats are only a little better...way too firm. I was hoping the refresh was going to be better as they advertised...pics look identical.

Almost every review of this truck and the prior generation state the seats suck. GM doesnt care. Ford has comfortable seats. I rented one and went interstate for 4 days...seats are great. Unfortunately I am not owning a Ford. Ford has an entire division dedicated to seat ergonomics. I believe GM farms this out and just goes for a look.

gmcsierra71 · May 2, 2022

I wonder if the Chevy Tahoe or GMC Yukon have better seats?

If so, could they be fitted into a truck?

c1823a · May 4, 2022

On 5/1/2022 at 8:32 AM, sbbamafan said:

My seats are power on both sides. FWIW, my wife was so uncomfortable in the passenger seat and found it so hard, she preferred to ride in the back seat in the one trip she took with me.

The other option I obviously have is to trade the truck for the High Country but I really don't know if it has better seats either. Does anyone know? I hate to spend the extra money just for the seats....I know I will get other features too.

I own a 2021 4x4 High Country - the seats are hard. They "may" be slightly more comfortable than other trim levels, not sure, but I can confirm they are not very comfortable for trips more than about 1 hour. I often ride in a 2021 Ford Lariat and the seats are MUCH more comfortable - i don't want a Ford, just expressing my opinion on the seats.

dieselfan1 · May 4, 2022

I own a 2022 LTD LTZ and a 2022 LTD High Country.

To me the only difference is the leather on the High Country is nicer.

I really don't find either more comfortable. That said, I don't think they are uncomfortable.

But I weigh around 168. I think the heavier you are the more uncomfortable they will be.

sbbamafan · May 5, 2022

Well, I am trying a number of things. I contacted the best auto upholstery guy I know. He is reaching out to his GM contact to see if the cushions themselves are different in High Country, Denali, etc. If so I will consider changing although it will be expensive. He does not want to do anything otherwise 'custom' to the cushions due to the heating and cooling and the many sensors, etc built into the seats. Additionally, I bought one of these "ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Seat Cushion - Non-Slip Orthopedic Gel & Memory Foam Coccyx Cushion for Tailbone Pain - Office Chair Car Seat Cushion - Sciatica & Back Pain Relief" from Amazon. It is too thick and really not comfortable to me. So I went a different direction and ordered this from Amazon and they should be here in a couple of days: "Sunny color 2Pc Premium Pu Car Seat Cover, Full Wrapping Edge & Non-Slip Bottom Front Seat Protector Compatible with Most Vehicles Black". I can't say I love it but if they fit and provide some cushion, I can live with them.

BIGDOGx · May 5, 2022

44 minutes ago, sbbamafan said:

Well, I am trying a number of things. I contacted the best auto upholstery guy I know. He is reaching out to his GM contact to see if the cushions themselves are different in High Country, Denali, etc. If so I will consider changing although it will be expensive. He does not want to do anything otherwise 'custom' to the cushions due to the heating and cooling and the many sensors, etc built into the seats. Additionally, I bought one of these "ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Seat Cushion - Non-Slip Orthopedic Gel & Memory Foam Coccyx Cushion for Tailbone Pain - Office Chair Car Seat Cushion - Sciatica & Back Pain Relief" from Amazon. It is too thick and really not comfortable to me. So I went a different direction and ordered this from Amazon and they should be here in a couple of days: "Sunny color 2Pc Premium Pu Car Seat Cover, Full Wrapping Edge & Non-Slip Bottom Front Seat Protector Compatible with Most Vehicles Black". I can't say I love it but if they fit and provide some cushion, I can live with them.

I can save you the time, they are not, only changes made are if they have heating or cooling elements added to them. Other then that GM has always been about interpart changing. No way would they upgrade little touches like that. At most you will get a slightly higher grade material in upper trim levels on the outside of the seat, the innards though will no doubt use the same foam or padding imo.

Dieselfan i think hit the nail on the head, he is under 180lbs which i think makes all the difference in the world. These seats are just not made for your average sized adult imo, if they took a couple inches out of the oversized center console and increased the seating depth a few inches it would make all the difference in the world.