What You Should Know About Upgrading Seats on Old and New Cars

How the Right Seat Completely Changes Your Driving Experience

It doesn’t matter what kind of build you’re working on, whether that’s a brand new Subaru WRX STI or a ‘92-00 Honda Civic, any vehicle can benefit from a set of aftermarket seat upgrades. Most tend to think of custom seats as a purely cosmetic upgrade, a way to make the interior of your car feel cooler and more comfortable, and while that part is true, they certainly do enhance the look of your cockpit, they’re still missing the point. New seats vastly change the way a driver interacts with their ride, in ways that you might not even think of.

Custom seats, especially fixed-back or reclinable options, change the control, feel, and posture that a driver experiences when behind the wheel, while yes, also giving that unbeatable, race-ready vibe. Aftermarket seats have continued to grow in popularity among enthusiasts, and respected and trusted brands like Recaro have become fan-favorites for those wanting to change how they feel when they climb into the driver’s seat. We’re going to cover things you should know when you upgrade your seats, on the freshest of the fresh builds, as well as some oldie-but-goodies too, so you know what to expect when you’re looking to upgrade your comfort and performance. 

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Considerations Before Swapping Seats

If you’re now really excited about upgrading to aftermarket seats, please continue reading before you just throw out your factory seats, we’ve got loads more to cover. As with most other upgrades you can make to your ride, you have to make sure that the option you’re looking at getting will be a good fit for your build. Fitments for custom seats can vary greatly depending on the age/platform of your vehicle, and another factor to keep in mind is that not all seats are street-legal, depending on where you live. So make sure you’re doing the proper amount of research before adding an option to your cart. You’ll also want to take into consideration factors like airbag sensors, seat brackets, and even harness compatibility. If the seats you want aren’t going to play nice with some or all of these factors, you’re going to be better off in the long-run finding a different option. But now that we’ve gotten some factors out in the open, let’s move into what makes custom seats so great!

Blending Performance and Comfort Into One Package

Like we mentioned earlier, making the change to custom seats is about much more than switching up the style in your cockpit. True, aftermarket seats aren’t going to help shave time off your lap PR, but they do help enhance how you feel while you’re driving. A good seat gives you better lateral support while cornering, so you’re less likely to feel like you’re flying out of your seat. They keep you feeling more planted on spirited drives, and help improve your posture on long distance excursions. Ideal for track builds and daily drivers alike, finding the right seat literally keeps you more planted to your car and helps keep you feeling fresher for longer than you thought was possible. 

This is where a strong brand like Recaro tends to shine brighter than the rest. Their seats aren’t just feasible for track-use, they’re created with everyday-driving scenarios in mind as well. They’ve got options like super-supportive fixed backs, or cushy, reclining models, managing to strike that all-important balance between comfort and security. With Recaro seats, you know you’re getting next-level designs, killer ergonomics, and the tightest bolsters you’ll find that won’t leave your back feeling like you just carried a heavy load for miles.

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Fitment Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

One of the most critical factors in getting upgraded seats is making sure that you’re getting the right fit and you have what you need to get them installed properly. This can be particularly tricky for older builds, as older cars tend to lack the modular seat rail systems that are more prevalent on newer models. What this means for you classic enthusiasts is that you’ll also potentially need custom brackets, sliders, even fabrication to get everything lined up properly. Newer vehicles tend to have it easier, but even then it’s not perfect because you have to account for newer technology that’s added such as airbag sensors, occupancy detection systems, and wiring for those heated/powered seats in your ride. All of these things can complicate a swap, but don’t worry, they don’t make it impossible. 

Remember the saying, measure twice, cut once? That almost applies here, although we won’t be cutting anything. Regardless of that, make sure you’re carefully measuring seat height, width, and mounting point locations, because all of these can factor into how your seat fits and feels once it’s installed. If you go too tall, your head could be bumping the ceiling, and that’ll get old quickly. Too wide, you risk rubbing against the center console. It’s important to take the time to get it right, because seat fitment can make or break how you fit and feel when you’re driving. 

Safety and Street Legality Matter

Everyone loves the new look and benefits that upgraded seats can give your vehicle, but if you aren’t careful, they can also land you in hot water, depending on where you call home. There are some fixed-back bucket seats that aren’t exactly DOT-approved, which makes them illegal for street use in certain states or countries, so before getting your new seats, check to find out which ones are legal or not, if you’re planning on using your build even as an occasional daily driver. Even when your seats are legal for road use, if you end up with improperly installed brackets or you skip steps like seatbelt receivers and airbag sensors, you’ll trigger warning lights at best. At worst, you’re risking compromising your safety, and nothing is more important than maintaining the highest level of safety possible, especially not trying to cut corners on your seat installation. 

If your ride comes equipped with occupancy sensors or side airbags, you need to make sure that these are accounted for with your new setup. There are some aftermarket options that include resistor kits or sense bypasses, but they aren’t always reliable, or even legal in some cases. If your build is more track-based, getting full harnesses or even a roll bar might be the best course of action. For street cars, the smartest, safest choice is often a quality reclining bucket seat that maintains that OEM functionality while still giving you the benefits you’re looking for. 

Why You Need Aftermarket Seats in Your Car

Finding the Right Seats Ties Your Whole Build Together

Once you have the right seats picked out for your ride, it doesn’t matter if you’re driving a 2025 model or a 1995, the inside of your vehicle feels almost brand new. You’ll get better support, posture, and control, making each drive feel like a different experience. Custom seats are a simple mod that you feel pays off for you every time you get behind the wheel. And when you know what seat you need to match your driving preferences, then head to the store at MAPerformance to find the right one for your build. We offer free shipping and quick delivery on every purchase, as well as some incredible financing options to help make each purchase easier and more affordable. Plus, our world-class customer service team is always ready to help answer questions or give any recommendations needed to assist you in your journey. Don’t wait, your new seats are waiting for you!