Feature · 2 min read
Heated Seats Explained
Built-in heating elements warm the seat base and back on cold days.
What are Heated Seats?
Heated seats use thin heating elements built into the seat cushion and backrest to warm you directly — far quicker than waiting for the cabin heater to do it via the air.
How do they work?
Resistive wires beneath the seat fabric warm up when current flows through them. A temperature sensor and thermostat keep the seat within a comfortable range, usually with two or three power settings.
What does it feel like?
On a frosty morning you press the button and within a minute the seat is gently warm against your back and legs — long before the engine's heater has anything useful to give.
Benefits
- ✓Comfort in cold weather
- ✓Warms you faster than cabin heating
- ✓Helps soothe a stiff lower back
- ✓Lower energy use than running the heater hard
Limitations
Heating elements can fail with age, especially on the driver's seat. Re-trim repairs can be expensive once the wires are damaged.