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Subaru Impreza Interior & Passenger Comfort Concerns

26 messages,  Last post on Nov 06, 2011 at 9:44 PM

You are in the Subaru Impreza Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Heating / Cooling, Interior, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 3 of 3

#17 of 26 Seat comfort issues Subaru Impreza 2.5i? by stevesparadise

Aug 02, 2008 (8:38 pm)

Does anyone feel the seats are uncomfortable on the Impreza?

#18 of 26 2010 Outback Sport head restraints by nine51

Nov 21, 2010 (6:03 pm)

We bought a 2010 Outback Sport in August this year. My only problem with the OBS is the seats. The head restraints have got to be the most uncomfortable I have ever experienced. I normally like to have my seat reclined fairly far back from the wheel but even as far as I recline the seat, they are still pushing my head too far forward. Subaru, in the next generation of vehicles, could you please install some type of head restraint adjustment other than just up or down? I also have a 2004 Honda Civic EX. It's head restraint looks to be raked forward almost as much as the ones in the OBS, but they have a hole in the center section of the restraint that allows some room for my pointy little head. I realize the automakers are forced to comply with new crash safety regulations from the government, but do they have to send us all to the chiropractor with neck pains after driving your cars? From what I have read, this is beginning to be a common complaint with other manufacturers cars, but I expect more from Subaru. I'm afraid that most people who hate these restraints as much as I do will just remove them and have no rear end crash protection at all. Some people don't seem to mind it but everyones shape is different, so one size does not fit all. Make them adjustable.
 
For the record, We are both Subaru fans and this is our 7th one. We still have an 02 Legacy GT wagon that I refuse to part with. I'm not just ranting on Subaru. It seems that many other manufacturers are having the same issue with head restraint comfort. I just think Subaru should be taking the lead and making them safe AND comfortable.

#19 of 26 Re: 2010 Outback Sport head restraints, aka Torture Devices [nine51] by highway_star

Dec 06, 2010 (3:52 pm)

Replying to: nine51 (Nov 21, 2010 6:03 pm)
Nine, I've been car-shopping lately, and I have to say I COMPLETELY agree with you.
 
I both test-drove and rented an Impreza/OBS, and the '011 headrests are an utter TRAVESTY on an otherwise pretty nice car.
 
I have to wonder during focus-testing, did anyone actually say to the design engineers, "Hey, y'know what this car really needs? Headrests that RAM YOUR HEAD FORWARD really far and uncomfortably."
 
I've seen side-by-side comparo pics of the '010 and '011 headrests, and yup, the '010's aren't nearly as tall. Very tall headrests, sharply-angled forward = major redesign FAIL, right there. Why break something that wasn't broken?
 
You can *somewhat* alleviate the literal pain-in-the-neck the '011 Impreza/OBS headrests are by lowering the headrest ALL the way down, and tilting your seat back a lot. But that only takes care of about 50% of it, and what if you don't WANT to be all laid-out in your seat? It's not like the Impreza/OBS needs you to be in 'La-Z-Boy' recliner position like some cars do, there's plenty of headroom.
 
In short, a REALLY bad design choice, and one of the few things that might prevent me from buying this car. It's really between the Impreza/OBS and the Mazda 3 hatchback for me (which btw, has VERY comfy seats).
 
Hmm... if I do go '011 Impreza/OBS in the end, wonder if I could get some replacement '010 headrests from the dealer??
 
....

#20 of 26 Re: 2010 Outback Sport head restraints, aka Torture Devices [highway_star] by xwesx

Dec 07, 2010 (10:37 am)

Replying to: highway_star (Dec 06, 2010 3:52 pm)
I love the headrest design. It is the first one I have ever come across that is actually usable while driving and cradles my head in a perfectly upright position. In doing so, it helps reduce driving fatigue considerably over long distances. I drove my car 2,200 miles in 48 hours a while back, and I felt great at the end of it (aside from needing a bit of shut-eye!).
 
That said, my wife does not like them at all.

#21 of 26 Re: 2010 Outback Sport head restraints, aka Torture Devices [xwesx] by highway_star

Dec 11, 2010 (10:04 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Dec 07, 2010 10:37 am)
Your wife is right.
 
Srsly though, Nine is correct when he says the best thing for Subaru to do would be to make the torture devices... err, headrests... comfortable for everyone by making them adjustable FORE-AFT, not just up-down.
 
But that just would make too much sense.

#22 of 26 Re: 2010 Outback Sport head restraints, aka Torture Devices [highway_star] by ateixeira

Dec 13, 2010 (11:09 am)

Replying to: highway_star (Dec 11, 2010 10:04 pm)
Problem is the IIHS rear-impact tests have more of a say in the design than anything else. They want a Good score no matter what - and often that means a headrest very near the dummy's head.

#23 of 26 Re: 2010 Outback Sport head restraints, aka Torture Devices [ateixeira] by dogdoc1997

Dec 21, 2010 (11:29 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 13, 2010 11:09 am)
oK, ITOO NOTICE THIS, WE TRIED AN mdx AND MY WIFE SAID NO; IT HITS HER IN THE BACK OF TEH HEAD, FORD is the ONLY one I know that actually allows moving up.down. and back to front....the 2011 FORD EXPLORER, just read it in the USA TODAY yesterday....

#24 of 26 99 Impreza - Air issue by ranklar

Nov 04, 2011 (8:28 pm)

#25 of 26 99 Impreza - Air issue by ranklar

Nov 04, 2011 (8:28 pm)

So, I hopped in my awesome suby tonight ('99 Impreza 2.5RS) and the window was a little foggy,so I flipped defrost on, and moved the selector from recycle to outside air, and it sounded like something broke or fell into the vents. And now there is a rattle sound when the air is on...
 
Anyone know where the intake for the air is located? I was hoping to take a look and see if 1. Something might have fallen in, or 2. maybe the latch that closes off the outside air might have broken somehow and now just rattles when the fan is on?
 
Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

#26 of 26 Re: 99 Impreza - Air issue [ranklar] by xwesx

Nov 06, 2011 (9:44 pm)

Replying to: ranklar (Nov 04, 2011 8:28 pm)
The intake is located under the cowling (at the back of the hood - you can easily see the grating there when you have the hood open). The fan, though, is located behind the glove box. It is easy to access and remove once you pull the box out (an easy task as well). Once you slip the motor and fan out, it leaves a bit hole there, so you can feel/see around in there and tell if something is hanging loose.

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