We pay our respects to the unsung heroes behind every epic drive.
It’s often the case when testing new super or ultra-luxury cars that headline-worthy figures such as horsepower outputs, acceleration stats, and any implementation of new tech are bound to grab the most attention. However, arguably as important as the powertrain or suspension are the seats. To highlight the industry’s very best, we’ve compiled a short, unranked list of the favorites we’ve tested thus far.
1. Ferrari 296 GTB Asseto Fiorano
Ferrari’s racing carbon fiber bucket seats are some of the most extreme we’ve ever tested. They’re essentially glossy carbon shells with light layers of leather-trimmed padding. Maranello’s most extreme chairs are firm and difficult to get in and out of, but they offer tremendous lateral support once sat behind the wheel. What sets these apart is how the thinness of their shells transmits chassis vibrations directly to the driver, making the experience in the cockpit all the more exciting.
2. Porsche 911 GTS
Available on various Porsche 911 variants as an optional extra, Stuttgart’s carbon buckets offer excellent lateral support like those in the 296 but remain comfortable enough for longer drives. While ingress and egress can sometimes pose a challenge, they’re form-fitting but wide enough to accommodate most body types. Additionally, they’re styled similarly to those found in the 918 Spyder.
3. Range Rover Sport First Edition
Range Rover’s 22-way heated and cooled seats surprised us in the Sport last year. Although the model is meant to be Rover’s sportier take on a luxury off-roader, its standard seats are tremendously plush. It’s as if you sink into them rather than sit on them. And thanks to their levels of adjustability, they make it easy to dial in the ideal driving position, one we’d choose over some competitors that cost up to twice as much.
4. Rolls-Royce Spectre
Introduced for the Spectre, Rolls-Royce’s all-new front seats are precisely what you’d expect to find in a car priced over $400,000. They’re ultra-plush but, crucially, very wide, accommodating all body types. Coupled with the Spectre’s ample cabin space, head, shoulder, and leg room are abundant. And like the Bentley’s sports chairs, these come standard with massage, heating, and cooling settings. Thanks to Rolls-Royce’s expanded options list, they’re not only supremely comfortable, but also highly customizable.
5. Bentley Flying Spur S V8
Sport seats in a big Bentley sedan sound like a terrible idea on paper, but the British carmaker executes them very well. In last year’s S V8 tester, they combined leather and faux-suede upholstery with a black base color contrasted by a bright red finish. While there’s more lateral support than expected, they’re still thick and very well-padded chairs. Massage functionality and heating and cooling features add to their appeal and versatility.
