I'm a big fan of the seats generally in the E - and I appreciate the fact that there is a height adjustment on the driver seat but ... why are they so low. I'm 6'1 and still feel like a shrimp in the front seats - even with the height adjustment fully cranked up. People in the passenger seat feel even lower. I realize this is part of the style but I'd rather be sitting a little higher. There is a ton of space above my head - why can't we use that? I understand the benefit to the rear seat passengers as they have a great view out the front since the front seats are so low.
Is this just me or is anyone else thinking this? Does anyone know of anyone who has raised the height of the front seats?

Are the seats low relative to the steering wheel or low relative to the side window sills? Or rather, are the window sills just on the high side?

paulj

Perhaps because the average Japanese person happens to be about 5-6 inches shorter than average Americans, "they" just wanted us to experience their perspective, for a change? Who the hell knows!? I used to wonder the same thing, as recently as one second before I read the question. But, if the seat were even an inch higher, reading the speedometer would become an issue for everyone, instead of just for some of us!

I've had mine for 14 months, and as I said, though I've had the same question in the back of my mind, the only "reasonable" answer I've come up with is: To make Hummer owners look like total idiots! :lol:

I think its just a matter of the beltline being raised in most vehicles...it looks as though the doors are getting 'taller' and the windows are shrinking. There are a number of new cars out there that you only see a head in the window and no longer see shoulders or torso. This is most likely for side impact issues.

I personally like alot of headroom for those times I might feel like wearing a top hat...nah, I just like the headroom so I don't feel claustrophobic.( which I'm not, just a figure of speech )

You think you got headroom? You should have seen when my Mom ( 5' 2" ) got into my E for the first time...she said it was almost like being in a concert hall, stadium seating and all.

While driving today I looked at other cars. On most, the dash is high over the instrument cluster, and low at the windshield. The steering wheel is well above the window sills. In constrast, the Element's dash actually drops from windshield back. So the hood is relatively high, but because it is also short, it does not block the view much.

As some one else pointed out, there is a trend now toward a high belt line. However since the Element is so tall, its belt line is only waist high, not chest high :-)

paulj

Thanks for the comments all. It seems safety and style - and making Hummer drivers look like fools! - are the reasons for the massive head room. I think the solution for Honda is pretty simple ... allow the height control to go higher. I know this would be a challenge the keep the gauges and steering wheel in proper alignment but I would love to see it.
It's a minor annoyance at the end of the day ...

I like it. I'm 6'4" and actually have head room. Right now I have a 96 Civic 4 Door. I have no head room. In most cars I have no head room. I love the E cuz I have like a foot of head room.
L.

I like it. I'm 6'4" and actually have head room. Right now I have a 96 Civic 4 Door. I have no head room. In most cars I have no head room. I love the E cuz I have like a foot of head room.
L.


6'4 here also
and the E is the biggest roomiest i've seen

only trouble i have is my left leg has to "bend" since i cant fully extend it without lifting my ass off the seat lol

I noticed the seat-height limitation too, and I'm only 5'10". I figure, if I'm at or near the limit, it's gotta be low.

However, as was already mentioned you couldn't see the speedo if the seat was any higher.

I tried lowering it to midway, thinking I was a midway sorta driver. Couldn't take how high the door sills were then, and how high the shifter was then. The other issue was that it was harder to see out of the windshield, and even with my Light in Sight trafffic lights are still harder to see than they should be.

I like it up higher anyway --- however it won't go high enough to negate the need for a dead pedal.

The E could use some better ergonomics, but at least the steering wheel isn't angled back like a trucker's wheel as in the first-gen CR-V.

6'4 here also
and the E is the biggest roomiest i've seen

only trouble i have is my left leg has to "bend" since i cant fully extend it without lifting my ass off the seat lol

Yeah, when driving my dads my size 15 shoe has very little room. I guess it's the price we have to pay for all of the head room.
L.

I have considered pulling out the driver seat and converting it to power but it will mean finding a pilot or Odyssey in the Junk yard. Not even sure it would work but I'd be willing to try it if the proce is right. It should be relatively easy to pull the seat out and block it up to get a higher stance. Better yet, last year's phone book and a milk crate are just as good...

I'm 6'1" and have no real problems with the current set-up. Sometimes I like driving with the seat all the way down, but only when wearing my 10gallon hat.

Anyone know how to get spur marks out of urethane flooring?

I am personally ok with the seat height adjustment. What I find insufficient is the amount of travel in the steering wheel "height". My old truck had a LOT of travel and a extra position to flip it WAY up out of the way for putting on boots while in the drivers seat. (uh, yes, that would be better to be stopped when trying that manuever though).

I don't use the full height adjustment of the seat, because I can't get the steering wheel up high enough to clear my thighs with the seat up any further.

Maybe its an airbag geometry thing, keeping it all so low? My old truck with the swing away steering wheel had NO airbags.

the powerseat addition would be hard. you would need all the electronisc allong with the seat yet if you could pull it off it would be sweet!!!!!!!!

I think it is the "stadium seating". The back seats sit higher to provide a view of something other than the back of the front seats to anyone sitting back there. Frankly I like this E pretty much just the way it is. It took some getting used to adjusting the steering wheel so that I could see how fast I was going. This car likes to fly like my old '96 Accord.
The new Ridgeline is actually coming out. Hooray. There is your towing machine. I really like the looks of it too. It looks stronger than the Hummer looks. The E is the only car that my dog actually fits in. I looked at the Honda van which is also about an inch lower but very nice and more expensive just to haul dogs. The E is perfect and after finding out how often it needs to be serviced I don't mind paying the higher price for gas.
Azonie86

is there anyway you can add a couple inches on to the seat rack under the seat.. i would love to have a few extra inches of seat travel.....I am 6'4 and could use the extra room..

is there anyway you can add a couple inches on to the seat rack under the seat.. i would love to have a few extra inches of seat travel.....I am 6'4 and could use the extra room..
http://www.skidmore.edu/~pdwyer/e/seat_tracks.htm

I lower my seat all the way cuz I'm a tall guy. I actually wish it would go down a little bit more.
L.

The new Ridgeline is actually coming out. Hooray. There is your towing machine. I really like the looks of it too. It looks stronger than the Hummer looks.

Note that one of my latest projects (still in the works as of 12/29/04) is Honda Ridgeline Owners Club (http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com)

It looks like this one did when we started about two years ago, so give it some time. But sign up as a member over there and join in on some conversations. It should be fun to watch and talk about the new Honda SUT.

Honda would have to make the steering wheel higher to get any more seat height. Even with the wheel at its highest theres not much room above the driver's legs. I remember the 91 (factory recall after recall after recall.......)(piece of junk tranny failure after tranny failure) Ford (Fixed Or Repaired Daily) Taurus I had, with 1/2 inch between the top of my head and the roof liner. You could bump your noggin on the roof when you hit a pot hole. And I'm 5' 9". Part of the Element's charm is the spaciousness of the interior which includes mongo headroom.

Honda would have to make the steering wheel higher to get any more seat height. Even with the wheel at its highest theres not much room above the driver's legs. I remember the 91 (factory recall after recall after recall.......)(piece of junk tranny failure after tranny failure) Ford (Fixed Or Repaired Daily) Taurus I had, with 1/2 inch between the top of my head and the roof liner. You could bump your noggin on the roof when you hit a pot hole. And I'm 5' 9". Part of the Element's charm is the spaciousness of the interior which includes mongo headroom.

Hey! We had the Ford Taurus Wagon of the same vintage. Even our mechanic that was making a fortune off the repairs, finally recommended dumping it at 90,000 miles as a total loss. That pretty well was the last "Big Three" USA Company produced car I ever considered. Well, OK,technically maybe just the CEO and top company officers are in the USA....all the other workers are outsourced, Unlike Honda that outsources the company officers and gives work to the USA workers...I know MY preference of who I want to support in the USA of workers vs CEO's.....:-)

This is my wifes #1 complaint. She is 5'4".

same here. my wife is 5'4 and it was funny that she asked me if the seats would go any higher, and I had to tell her that I had it already at the highest setting (me being 6'1).

I am 6'3" and I have the seat set as low as I can get it to go. I am not sure I understand how someone at 6'1" is too low. I hate how in most cars I am always looking through the top of the windshield. One of the things I love about the E is that I am looking through the middle of the windshield.

Exactly. I'm 6'5". In my Teg I fit pretty good but I feel like I'm low ridin'.
L.

I am 5.7' and thinking that the E seat is too high at lowest point. I wish the seat can go lower but my GF which is only 5' the highest is still too low for her. I might have to get seat support for her, anyone know where I can get one that look nice and match with E.

On the other hand I'd like to complain the low/high knob adjustment. It is pretty damn hard to turn that big knob, can it be power instead?

I don't use the full height adjustment of the seat, because I can't get the steering wheel up high enough to clear my thighs with the seat up any further.

Maybe its an airbag geometry thing, keeping it all so low? My old truck with the swing away steering wheel had NO airbags.

I don't think it's an airbag thing... the older Accords had the same steering column as the E, however the problem was solved in the new Accords which have telescoping and tilt columns. I would not have considered an older accord, since I'm not comfortable driving one due to the space of the wheel, but the new ones were a pleasure to drive with that new column.

I am 5.7' and thinking that the E seat is too high at lowest point. I wish the seat can go lower but my GF which is only 5' the highest is still too low for her. I might have to get seat support for her, anyone know where I can get one that look nice and match with E.

http://img304.imageshack.us/img304/4733/telephonebook4ax.gif

:-P

Seriously though, I believe the reason for the limited height adjustment is the "stadium seating" claim for the rear seats.

If the driver was any higher, you'd block the view from the rear seat.

Ramblerdan I was looking at a way to raise the front seat. I have taken the seat out and used wooden blocks under the seat frame to get the proper hight. I found that blocks 1 5/16" thick do the job. I will now take some 2" alym. bar stock and machine it to fit. My concerns are the saftey of longer bolts that will be required.

What do you Think ??

They sell cushions at WalMart and Staples that should raise you up. No joke, we got one for our computer chair and it does a good job and has little rubber thingies on the botom so it stays where you put it and doesn't slide around.

Ramblerdan I was looking at a way to raise the front seat. I have taken the seat out and used wooden blocks under the seat frame to get the proper hight. I found that blocks 1 5/16" thick do the job. I will now take some 2" alym. bar stock and machine it to fit. My concerns are the saftey of longer bolts that will be required.

What do you Think ??

I think it would work...In my old mustang I propped up the seat a half inch with some washers on the rear side..gave me a better angle to see out...

a metal plate with longer screws should work fine.....but not that high...maybe 3/4 inch at most. or 1/2 to be safe...

I also added more padding to my mustang seat...propped it up a bit....Take it down to a upholstry shop and see what the damage would be...

at the same time have them put in the Heating elements for heating the drivers seat...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Seat-Heaters-Car-Truck-SUV-OEM-Seat-Heater-NR_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33701QQitemZ80323047 33QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Kill two birds with one stone....


Did you fab any of those metal risers?

Put me down for a set......3/4 inch..

Here is another idea....its portable and may help everybody from short to tall...

http://www.oregonaero.com/p24_2001.htm

Here is another idea....its portable and may help everybody from short to tall...

http://www.oregonaero.com/p24_2001.htm

That looks like exactly what I need...but oh lordy they're expensive! I'm 5'4" and have the seat as high as it goes, but I still feel like I'm sitting too low.

That looks like exactly what I need...but oh lordy they're expensive! I'm 5'4" and have the seat as high as it goes, but I still feel like I'm sitting too low.

I'm 5'4" as well and am much more comfortable sitting on the seat warmer/massager I bought. Added height was a bonus. When I took it out last summer I felt like a shorty again.

I got the ObusForme Seat Cushion and it works perfect (5'1" here). It was about $55 online. It's black, raises me up about 2-3" and I can now see perfect (and see the speedometer too). It has simple straps that tuck down into the seat - goes in and out in seconds and stays put on the seat while driving and getting in and out. If you don't need the lumbar this might be a less expensive option and the comfort and support are really good. I am thinking of ordering another for hubby's car.
I wish car companies would try their seat adjustments on people not of "average" size. There are ways to make a seat adjust so it will fit LOTS of people if they just applied themselves and did a bit more testing. Driver comfort is a big part of a car purchase for most people. I found the E seats very accomodating to my small size, they just were a few inches too low. It would be such an easy adjustment.

What I'd really like to see Honda do with the next [E] is to have the front seats swivel so that they can be positioned outward towards the open door or facing the rear so 4 people can hangout, play cards, knock back a few...

What I'd really like to see Honda do with the next [E] is to have the front seats swivel so that they can be positioned outward towards the open door or facing the rear so 4 people can hangout, play cards, knock back a few...

Hear hear! I vote for this idea!

What I'd really like to see Honda do with the next [E] is to have the front seats swivel so that they can be positioned outward towards the open door or facing the rear so 4 people can hangout, play cards, knock back a few...


YAY I love that idea, with the interior carpets and maybe a few cool led lights.. you can have a dinner party in there!!! :)

Of course with all this seat raising, it would be nice if they had more ajustability in how high the steering wheel could be raised. Maybe its just my mtn biker thighs, but I barely can squeeze under the steering wheel with it raised all the way up as it is.

My previous Nissan truck had a wide range for driving and a special position for flipping the steering wheel WAY up, which was nice for putting on ski or hiking boots in cruddy weather without having to get out of the driver's seat. I miss that feature. Not much else....but that feature I do miss.

Of course with all this seat raising, it would be nice if they had more ajustability in how high the steering wheel could be raised. Maybe its just my mtn biker thighs, but I barely can squeeze under the steering wheel with it raised all the way up as it is.

My previous Nissan truck had a wide range for driving and a special position for flipping the steering wheel WAY up, which was nice for putting on ski or hiking boots in cruddy weather without having to get out of the driver's seat. I miss that feature. Not much else....but that feature I do miss.
Great point! I was thinking the same thing. Anybody with "Thunder Thighs" is going to have an issue with the steering wheel if the seat is raised too much.

Am I the only one that has an adjustment on my drivers seat to raise or lower it? Personally I cranked mine up high, so I have better command of the road.

Am I the only one that has an adjustment on my drivers seat to raise or lower it? Personally I cranked mine up high, so I have better command of the road.
Nope, but when you are 5'1 and 100 lbs cranking it all the way up doesn't quite work. Still have to be able to reach the pedals, LOL. Let's face it - the seats could use some "fine tuning" in that area - especially with the E's high midline and the steering wheel over the speedometer issues. Despite Honda's targeted demographic, it turns out that not every buyer is male and 6' and they should be able to deal with that.
BTW, I can see/drive fine (even see the speedometer) with my "cushion" and it's comfier too so not letting a bit of seat adjustment keep ME from enjoying my E.

Nothing like headroom. I'm 6'2" and I have headroom. My Nissan Pathfinder didn't have much headroom compared to the Element.

A big "hear, hear!" on the seats being higher. I shouldn't have to sit on a pillow. It shows poor adjustability and ergonomic design.

... and I should be able to see the steering wheel.

I think it is the "stadium seating". The back seats sit higher to provide a view of something other than the back of the front seats to anyone sitting back there.

The driver's needs should take precedent in the design. The passengers are not in control of the vehicle.

A big "hear, hear!" on the seats being higher. I shouldn't have to sit on a pillow. It shows poor adjustability and ergonomic design.

... and I should be able to see the steering wheel.

Maybe it's just me...but if you research a vehicle, test drive a vehicle, do you homework as one would think an intelligent person should...why would you then purchase a vehicle that you can't reach the pedals, have a safe view of the road, and can't see the freakin' steering wheel? All for being able to haul your critters to the country and let them poop in the woods. I don't get it. :cool:

I'm thinking that because the E was designed for guys in their mid to late 20's the seats may cater to men of average height (like 6 foot and up) that is why it is difficult for the women who are average height and for men who are below average height.

Maybe it's just me...but if you research a vehicle, test drive a vehicle, do you homework as one would think an intelligent person should...why would you then purchase a vehicle that you can't reach the pedals, have a safe view of the road, and can't see the freakin' steering wheel? All for being able to haul your critters to the country and let them poop in the woods. I don't get it. :cool:
Well by the same token I don't get why Honda would build a car where the seats are not adjustable enough to fit the wide variety of people who want to buy it? There is no acceptable reason not to have seats that go higher or tilt on the base. None of this adds any cost to the vehicle.
There is also no reason not to sell AM seats in the waterproof fabric that have electric adjustments like lumbar, tilt, recline and height for the E. I think a number of people would buy them if they were available and were "plug and play". Again, this does not affect the BASE price of the E, but is an option add-on or after purchase item.
Of course you should thoroughly test and research any vehicle you intend to buy. I had my E for 2 days before I made the deal. It was the vehicle I wanted, despite the fact that yes, I have to sit on a cushion to drive it really comfortably. Now I am quite petite and have had to do this with other vehicles - if the seats are of a certain type, it's unavoidable, even WITH multi adjustments - but ya know, Dodge managed to put seats in the Durango that I was comfortable without a pillow in so I know it's possible. Why should I NOT expect Honda to do the same - especially if I am willing to pay additional for it? They do want to sell cars don't they? And if I don't ask for it, Honda won't know it's an issue, will they?
I doubt anyone here can afford to buy a car strictly for driving their critters around in and while that certainly makes the E more appealing and useful to SOME it's hardly a primary buying motivation - more of a benefit to buying. And I certainly don't think people buy a car they can't drive comfortably just to drive their dogs to the country. I think we who bring up this issue are saying that the E is OK the way it is but that is sure COULD be more adaptive without an increase in costs - and for US that would be a major improvement to a vehicle we are already in love with. The E is well designed, but like all cars, it could be better and it isn't perfect off the line for everyone who wants one.
I bought the E DESPITE the fact that I knew it would require some tinkering on my part to make it ideal for ME. It was worth it. However I have not given up on the notion that with a few small adjustments the E would fit me perfectly with no mods - and fit a lot of OTHER people too - from 6'6" to 5'.

...All for being able to haul your critters to the country and let them poop in the woods. I don't get it ...

Where do you want them to poop, on your front lawn?
:D

:lol: Stop it...you're killin' me! :lol:

LOL, you get what you pay for!!

having owned and been raised with a long line of BASIC, Cheap, economical, but utilitarian and reliable vehicles my entire life, I am pretty much used to accepting SOME compromises compared to the people forking out 2 to 4 times what I am paying for my vehicle.

If the worst compromise is to have to put a pillow on the seat, I would feel I am doing pretty darn well on compromising.

BUT, Its still OK to wish the car manufacturer had put the "A" team designers on the project, instead of the "B" team, and some of those "freebie" nice touches had made it into the "value" end of the vehicle line.

I think Uncle Buck needs to hug his purple dinosaur a bit more today though.

I think Uncle Buck needs to hug his purple dinosaur a bit more today though.

I can't....Threw the little bastard out the window of my E....right into the path of an oncoming semi. It wasn't pretty. :???:

This purple dinosaur?

sung to the tune of Auld Lang Syne:

It is what it is.
It is what it is.
It is what it is, it is.

It is what it is.
It is what it is.
It is what it is, it is.

It is what it is.
It is what it is.
It is what it is, it is.

It is what it is.
It is what it is.
It is what it is, it is.

sung to the tune of Auld Lang Syne:

It is what it is.
It is what it is.
It is what it is, it is.

It is what it is.
It is what it is.
It is what it is, it is.

It is what it is.
It is what it is.
It is what it is, it is.

It is what it is.
It is what it is.
It is what it is, it is.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

This purple dinosaur?

Well, if it isn't THAT one, I don't even want to consider what it was he threw in front of an oncoming semi..........

|-}

Well, if it isn't THAT one, I don't even want to consider what it was he threw in front of an oncoming semi..........

|-}

It was the one your mama gave me.:cool:

It was the one your mama gave me.:cool:

Yah, she knew it wasn't doing you any good attached.......

This purple dinosaur?
Hey, that ain't Barney is it? Clowns and Barney give me nightmares:evil:

Did you say clowns.........how about Bozo?

Did you say clowns.........how about Bozo?

I think we're all bozos on this bus.....

I still think you can get what you want if you take your E to a good Auto Upholstery shop.

I have an 85 rx7 and the seats were great except the head rest did out come far enough forward...had them redesign them to fit me...

this can also be done for anybody adjusting the height....Heck they make kits so you can convert the E to have Wheel chair access.....

I hear complaints from people who are tall that when sitting in the seats they cant see the gauges correctly....

Dont just complain...do something about it.....and the seat height Mod will be named after you...You will be famous...

I think we're all bozos on this bus.....

Naw, the EOC is a cult and we are its devoted members. Here have some grape cool aid.;-) :razz:

Naw, the EOC is a cult and we are its devoted members. Here have some grape cool aid.;-) :razz:

"I think we are all bozos on this bus" is a famous line from the Firesign Theater, a line anyone from that cult would instantly recognise.....And they are also a great bunch of people, with a good sense of humor.

Just this weekend I saw a pair of seat risers on one of the car shows on TV. I don't remember which supplier they came from. The were very simple.. Each side was made form 2 L shaped plates with slots and bolted together.
The slots allowed for adjusting heights and tilt.