[zhuneycutt]

I'm curious. If one were to buy an aftermarket seat(s) what would need to happen to the side airbag and its associated harness? I would assume that if you disconnected and removed the seat that the ECU would throw a code saying that the airbag wasn't there? Also, it seems to me that you could in theory xfer the seat heaters to a new seat but the airbag seems to be a big problem getting an aftermarket seat.

Any thoughts?

 

[sparks]

Thought: Changing seats moves into a different realm of modifications causing modifications. Possible with dedication.
Difficult to anticipate all problems in a computer car.

 

[mraymondus]

Back in late 2017 or early 2018, another poster here (perhaps on FB) actually experimented with replacing the stock seats with a pair of leather seats from a Jetta. In his case, he had to create an adapter (a bracket) that mapped between the bolt positions on the floor and the bolt positions on the Jetta seats (these bolt locations are not standard). I believe he made the bracket out of wood as a proof of concept. There is enough room between the center console and door to fit a wider seat, but, the wheel and pedal position is based on a slightly inboard position for the stock seat so when he placed the wider seat, he found that the steering wheel was a bit to the right of the driver centerline. Same for the pedals.

I have no idea if he went and made a metal bracket to make the change permanent, and I have not seen any conversation about that effort in the past year or so. But the consensus then was that it would change the positioning of the seat belt, and airbags (including the one in the outboard shoulder of each front seat). It would require rewiring the seat to accommodate any electrified controls, seat heating, and the airbag triggering equipment. Should the driver or passenger be injured, modifying the seats would place a significant burden of liability on the person doing the modifications.

I'd love to replace the drivers seat with a Recaro or even a Camero/Corvette seat, but it just doesn't look all that feasible. If GM gets their act together in 2019 or 2020 and upgrades the seats, you'd have a much better chance of swapping in one (or two) of those.

Sorry to rain on your parade. If you do it, be sure to share pics.. love to see what you come up with.

 

[Raymondjram]

Try the seats of the 2019 Chevy Bolt EV.

 

[discodanman45]

I am counting down the days to when I can trade in my Bolt for a newer version or a different vehicle. I will have to really try out the seats in a new Bolt to make the switch. I have to keep my car for 30 months because of the $5500 of California rebates I received. The Bolt is the absolute perfect car for me except they have seats built for a 10 year old. I know they tried to improve the seats, but even if they are more comfortable they might not fit my body type. The narrow seats pinch on my wide shoulders and have been given me back pain. I have tried every remedy, but I gave up. I will be trading in the Bolt in 2019 this time next year for some type of EV. If GM made a wider Bolt with normal seats I would buy it in a second. My car has travelled 45,000 miles with only going to the dealership four times. Two times were for the free service, once was for the battery update, and the fourth was when I got a rock stuck in the brake shield. Even if I had an upholster try to fix the seats, I don't think it would work. My body type does not fit the tiny uncomfortable seats. Commuting 130 miles a day, I need a car that supports my body.

If anyone had their seats upholstered for a 2017 Bolt please let me know how successful it was and the cost. I would love to drive my Bolt for 300,000 miles, but my back will give out a long time before the car.

 

[magrider]

Try the seats of the 2019 Chevy Bolt EV.

I briefly sat in a 2019 Bolt during a car show last weekend, and the driver seat seemed much improved over my former 2017 model. The seat center felt much more substantial, such that I didn't really feel the abominably uncomfortable side bolsters ever present in the 2017 seats. The seat back never really bothered me so can't speak to that. Definitely give the 2019 a try, and GM should really offer to swap the seats for 2017 models. (But we all know they are never going to do that or admit they messed up with the seats)

 

[discodanman45]

I briefly sat in a 2019 Bolt during a car show last weekend, and the driver seat seemed much improved over my former 2017 model. The seat center felt much more substantial, such that I didn't really feel the abominably uncomfortable side bolsters ever present in the 2017 seats. The seat back never really bothered me so can't speak to that. Definitely give the 2019 a try, and GM should really offer to swap the seats for 2017 models. (But we all know they are never going to do that or admit they messed up with the seats)

Much improved wouldn't be enough. I would need a seat that is many inches wider. It is a shame because someone that is 6'5" would fit very comfortably with the head and leg room. They could have thrown in lawn chairs into my 2017 Bolt and it would have been an improvement. I think I would rather wait for the Buick version of the Bolt. I definitely need normal size seats.

 

[GregBrew]

Much improved wouldn't be enough. I would need a seat that is many inches wider. It is a shame because someone that is 6'5" would fit very comfortably with the head and leg room. They could have thrown in lawn chairs into my 2017 Bolt and it would have been an improvement. I think I would rather wait for the Buick version of the Bolt. I definitely need normal size seats.

I suspect that the seats are sized for the average *human*, not average American.

 

[Pete Blair]

I must be lucky or something, i've never had an issue with the seats in the car and i'm not a little guy. I mean they certainly aren't luxuriously comfortable, but they don't cause me any problems and my commute is at least an hour and 20 minutes each way. I've done a number of 3+ hour drives as well, without stopping and been fine.

 

[George Knighton]

I must be lucky or something, i've never had an issue with the seats in the car and i'm not a little guy. I mean they certainly aren't luxuriously comfortable, but they don't cause me any problems and my commute is at least an hour and 20 minutes each way. I've done a number of 3+ hour drives as well, without stopping and been fine.

I'm in about the same boat. I'm 6'2" and 15 stone and drive about 120 miles/day and an hour each way, sometimes much more time in traffic. Love the headroom.

The seats are far from perfect, and looking at the frame I wonder if I'd bend them if I braced myself against the frame while moving.

Electricity is cheap where I live, and the car costs me two and a half cent/mile to drive.

If you think of the Bolt EV as a sort of electric version of a Honda Fit, instead of a competitor to a Tesla Model 3, the perspective is a little different and the seats might seem not so bad.

 

[Pete Blair]

I'm in about the same boat. I'm 6'2" and 15 stone and drive about 120 miles/day and an hour each way, sometimes much more time in traffic. Love the headroom.

The seats are far from perfect, and looking at the frame I wonder if I'd bend them if I braced myself against the frame while moving.

Electricity is cheap where I live, and the car costs me two and a half cent/mile to drive.

If you think of the Bolt EV as a sort of electric version of a Honda Fit, instead of a competitor to a Tesla Model 3, the perspective is a little different and the seats might seem not so bad.

Yeah perspective is everything. If someone expects luxury/high end comfort in the Bolt they will be disappointed. However it certainly isn't terrible, at least in my experience.