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Author: Shidi
As new energy vehicles continue to advance, various “mass production strategies” have been implemented not only to launch multiple models but also to offer various optional packages for different vehicle types. In addition to the humanized optional packages for assistive driving and batteries, exclusive and characteristic seat upgrade packages have been launched by different manufacturers.
Therefore, we have launched a new column called “Chatting About Optional Packages” with a focus on refined analyses and comparisons of the distinctive optional packages of different brands to provide reference for consumers when buying cars.
In this issue: Is NIO’s Seat Upgrade Package a Tax on Intelligence?
Since April this year, there have been frequent reports about NIO car owners experiencing problems such as lumbar disc herniation and lower back pain due to long-term rides. Judging from the complaint cases on the vehicle quality website, there are many complaints about the NIO ES6 seat suspected design defects affecting comfort and poor seat comfort, as well as such complaints about the EC6 and ES6. Even in the entire complaint list of the EC6, there are basically no other complaints except for seat-related ones.
The reasons for the discomfort of NIO seats and the complaints of car owners are mainly as follows:
Front seat
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The front cushion is high and the back is low, forming an angle between the seat and the backrest, the lumbar and back support is weak, which is easy to get tired, and it is easy to have lumbar disc herniation.
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The headrest is hard and positioned near the front, which could press against the head and cause problems in the neck and shoulder areas.
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The angle of the thigh seat position cannot be adjusted, the hip pressure is high, and there is pressure on the front of the thigh.
Rear seat
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The seat material is too hard and uncomfortable.
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The angle of the rear backrest is straight and cannot be adjusted.
In response to this phenomenon, NIO made an online survey for all car owners in April. Based on the survey, most users expressed satisfaction with or could accept the comfort of the seats, while 13% of ES8 users, 21% of ES6 users, and 19% of EC6 users expressed demands for the improvement of seat comfort.
In July, NIO announced that systematic data analysis, program design, and user evaluations have been conducted, personalized programs for seat cushions, headrests, and seat hardness have been introduced, and sufficient tests have been carried out to ensure that the safety performance is not downgraded. The specific programs are as follows:
ES8 users can flexibly choose the following options as needed:Translation:
Adjustment of the driver’s seat angle is suitable for users who feel pressure on the front of their thighs.
Adjustment of the driver’s seat cushion is suitable for users who feel strong pressure on the back of their calves and a low back seat cushion.
Adjustment of the headrest is suitable for users who feel that the headrest is too hard or presses against their head.
Softening of the seat is suitable for users who feel that the seat is too hard.
Detailed options and costs are shown in the following figure (prices include vehicle pickup and delivery, spare parts, labor costs, etc., and support cash or point payment):
ES6 and EC6 users can flexibly choose the following options as needed:
Adjustment of the front seat angle is suitable for users who feel pressure on the front of their thighs.
Adjustment of the second-row backrest angle is suitable for users who feel that the backrest angle is too straight.
Adjustment of the front seat headrest is suitable for users who feel that the headrest is too hard or presses against their head.
Softening of the seat is suitable for users who feel that the seat is too hard and uncomfortable for the waist and back.
Detailed options and costs are shown in the following figure (prices include vehicle pickup and delivery, spare parts, labor costs, etc., and support cash or point payment):
Overall, the price range for the complete set of seat upgrades for the three models is between 2800-3000 yuan, which is not high compared to other personalized options. However, the problem is that everyone’s understanding and experience of seat comfort are different. Moreover, from the pictures, the changes in the upgraded seats are difficult to intuitively see, and only by paying a deposit of 200 yuan can one qualify to experience the adjusted seats. This has led many car owners to wonder if NIO’s seat upgrade package is an IQ tax. So, what are the actual changes in the NIO seat upgrade package?
Adjustment of the seat angle:
Recommended rating: ★★★★
For this modification, it mainly targets the problem of the front of the seat being higher than the back, and thins the front part of the seat to reduce the height difference between the front and rear. However, the length of the seat cushion has not changed, so it does not improve the problem of thigh support.
However, according to feedback from car owners who have undergone this upgrade, when stepping on the accelerator pedal after the upgrade, the legs do not feel as uncomfortable as before, and the obvious feeling of pressure is relieved.
Adjustment of the driver’s seat cushion:
Recommended rating: ★★
# Seat Comfort Adjustments
This project is mainly aimed at adjusting the comfort of the driver’s seat cushion, which is similar to adjusting the angle of the seat pan. However, if the project of softening the driver’s seat has already been selected, the adjustment of the driver’s seat cushion will not be charged separately. In comparison, selecting the project of softening the entire seat is more cost-effective.
Seat Softening
Recommendation Index: ★★★★★
This project mainly adjusts the filling material of the seat. According to the feedback from car owners after the transformation, the actual effect has significantly improved the filling in the seat, especially at the location of the waist and back, which has become much fuller than before. For car owners with a shifted sitting posture, the improvement effect is significantly enhanced.
Front Headrest Adjustment
Recommendation Index: ★★
Theoretically, the adjustment of this project mainly improves the comfort of the head and neck of the driver and passengers, and the content of the transformation is to make the headrest thinner and softer. However, according to the feedback from car owners, the thickness of the headrest has changed somewhat, and the transformation effect of this project is not so obvious.
However, the headrest adjustment is the only reversible project among all seat upgrade and adjustment projects. The previously replaced headrest will not be recycled and will be given to the car owner. If you are not satisfied after the modification, you can also change it back.
Second-Row Backrest Angle Adjustment
Recommendation Index: ★★
For this transformation, it mainly targets the problem of the straight angle of the rear backrest reflected by car owners, and re-adjusts the backrest of the seat (thinning the upper part and thickening the lower part). However, according to the feedback from car owners who have undergone this project, the curved surface of the seat backrest does not fit the back, and the softness and hardness are inconsistent, especially the lumbar support is relatively hard, which is particularly uncomfortable for long-term riding.
Note: Except for the adjustment of the second-row backrest angle, all other cases above are analyzed from the perspective of the driver’s seat angle. The pictures are sourced from car owners who have shared their upgraded transformations.
In general, combined with the seat problems encountered by car owners and the feedback after the transformation, NIO’s seat transformation plan for its models is indeed close to the actual driving environment of the car owners. Adjustments such as seat pan angle adjustment and seat softening have indeed helped many car owners alleviate fatigue from driving postures.
Comfortable seats can help passengers maintain the correct sitting posture, so that the spines and blood vessels of drivers and passengers will not be compressed. At the same time, the seat must also provide a certain support for the lower back of the body, so that the back can have a corresponding fit feeling, which greatly guarantees the comfort of passengers.
Finally, it is still necessary to remind that NIO has always emphasized that except for the headrest, all other adjustment projects are irreversible, and it is recommended to fully consider and experience before deciding on the plan.
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.