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      03-18-2019, 10:07 AM   #1
justcurious321
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Bench Seat vs Captains Chairs

Was just wondering if anyone had seen both in the flesh? I’m really interested in getting the captains chairs but wondering if it’s very different comfort wise to a bench seat? Currently captains chairs are not available here even as an option... would likely be a 5-6 month wait I suspect and was wondering if the difference is really that significant.

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      03-18-2019, 10:42 AM   #2
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The captain chairs esteticaly give the X7 a more upscale look and feel but the drawback is they don’t fold flat like the bench and obviously you have less seating capacity.

The bench seats do recline also so I am sure it will not be a huge difference in comfort.
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      03-18-2019, 10:55 AM   #3
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I'd also get the bench. Not being able to fold the second row flat and therefore, giving up lots of utility doesn't sound right on such a vehicle...
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      03-18-2019, 11:17 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 760Lifan View Post
I'd also get the bench. Not being able to fold the second row flat and therefore, giving up lots of utility doesn't sound right on such a vehicle...
Get the bench. But I'd get the captains chairs if you had finicky people riding in the back all the time.

With the bench you can still recline the seats.
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      03-18-2019, 11:57 AM   #5
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These guys are right, about the captain's chairs limitation.

But me, I'm going for the captain's chairs. More of an exclusive, upscale luxury design, and since I only have 2 kids, they'll be separated, each with their own designated and comfortable seating.

If I were going to be a passenger in our X7, I also would want the captain's chairs, for the same reason.

Yes, I've seen both, and I think what you're really asking is, is one distinctly more comfortable than the other? I don't think we can really say definitively yes.
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      03-18-2019, 12:55 PM   #6
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I was a bit surprised that the captain's chairs on the X7 don't offer more luxury. They could have offered a massage-feature or at least seat-ventilation. THAT would really be worth it...
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      03-18-2019, 01:55 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 760Lifan View Post
I was a bit surprised that the captain's chairs on the X7 don't offer more luxury. They could have offered a massage-feature or at least seat-ventilation. THAT would really be worth it...
lol, the new Hyundai palisade can get ventilated seats for row 2
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      03-18-2019, 02:09 PM   #8
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lol, the new Hyundai palisade can get ventilated seats for row 2
Exactly. Just like you can get on the new Lincoln Aviator..
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      03-18-2019, 02:41 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 760Lifan View Post
I was a bit surprised that the captain's chairs on the X7 don't offer more luxury. They could have offered a massage-feature or at least seat-ventilation. THAT would really be worth it...
I do wonder if features like this will be added in future years. If the X7 is truly the flagship SAV, and if it is intended to be a 7-level vehicle, I have to wonder if more of the 7-series features will migrate into the X7. Make the 2nd row even more luxury.
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      03-18-2019, 02:48 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wild Blue View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by 760Lifan View Post
I was a bit surprised that the captain's chairs on the X7 don't offer more luxury. They could have offered a massage-feature or at least seat-ventilation. THAT would really be worth it...
I do wonder if features like this will be added in future years. If the X7 is truly the flagship SAV, and if it is intended to be a 7-level vehicle, I have to wonder if more of the 7-series features will migrate into the X7. Make the 2nd row even more luxury.
Probably!!

For now there is always the X9! Aka Rolls Royce Culllinan! [IMG][/IMG]
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      03-18-2019, 05:29 PM   #11
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Yeah, well, if I had a spare $300k lying around, I probably would.
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      03-18-2019, 08:40 PM   #12
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Yeah, well, if I had a spare $300k lying around, I probably would.
Even if I had, I probably wouldn't...
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      03-19-2019, 07:09 AM   #13
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Thanks for all the responses. I’m just wondering if the bench seats are more so like the normal ones or similar to the S/7 series class where they are similar to captains chairs in that the backrest is lowered and more roomy etc?

Ofc if possible I’d go for Captains chairs but unfortunately not an option
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      03-19-2019, 11:39 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 760Lifan View Post
I'd also get the bench. Not being able to fold the second row flat and therefore, giving up lots of utility doesn't sound right on such a vehicle...
I still haven't decided. The one thing to think about is whether you actually would use such massive trunk space to need having the 2nd row fold down flat. For me having the captain chairs seems like ample space.

the bigger issue is that if your car seats are tethered in the 2nd row, you can't really slide it forward to get into the third row and would have to squeeze in between the captain chairs - unless I'm mistaken in which case, please correct me.
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      03-19-2019, 09:34 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Petegd View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by 760Lifan View Post
I'd also get the bench. Not being able to fold the second row flat and therefore, giving up lots of utility doesn't sound right on such a vehicle...
I still haven't decided. The one thing to think about is whether you actually would use such massive trunk space to need having the 2nd row fold down flat. For me having the captain chairs seems like ample space.

the bigger issue is that if your car seats are tethered in the 2nd row, you can't really slide it forward to get into the third row and would have to squeeze in between the captain chairs - unless I'm mistaken in which case, please correct me.
I completely agree. While the trunk space is anemic with the 3rd row up, it is plenty big for 99% of daily needs with the 3rd row folded, regardless of whether you have bench or captains chairs. Really the only time you'll need to fold the 2nd row down is if you're carrying construction materials like a full sheet of plywood, or something really oversized like a full sized bicycle without removing a wheel. Even skis or snowboard can be fit between the captains chairs.

Soccer moms taking the kids to practice or music recitals or art classes will have more than enough room every day without having to worry about putting the 2nd row down.
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      03-19-2019, 10:07 PM   #16
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The way the second row captain's fold, you also have to be very careful that you don't scratch the back of the seats when you have the third row folded flat. This MIGHT be an issue depending on what you transport in the trunk.

I remember an image of the third row folded with the captain's chairs plastic rears exposed. Keep in mind that you don't have that traditional "trunk barrier' anymore with the captain's. You have plastic covers left and right with a hole in the middle. No closed, protected barrier...
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      03-19-2019, 10:09 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wild Blue View Post
I completely agree. While the trunk space is anemic with the 3rd row up, it is plenty big for 99% of daily needs with the 3rd row folded, regardless of whether you have bench or captains chairs. Really the only time you'll need to fold the 2nd row down is if you're carrying construction materials like a full sheet of plywood, or something really oversized like a full sized bicycle without removing a wheel. Even skis or snowboard can be fit between the captains chairs.

Soccer moms taking the kids to practice or music recitals or art classes will have more than enough room every day without having to worry about putting the 2nd row down.
You obviously do not own a cottage where you need to haul a huge amount of cargo sometimes.I have owned a Mercedes GL for the last 10 years and have had the 2nd and 3rd row bench seats folded flat countless times with a fully loaded truck.Its why you need a huge SUV.
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      03-20-2019, 11:07 AM   #18
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Any pics of captain chairs folded?
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      03-20-2019, 11:42 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nantucket View Post
You obviously do not own a cottage where you need to haul a huge amount of cargo sometimes.I have owned a Mercedes GL for the last 10 years and have had the 2nd and 3rd row bench seats folded flat countless times with a fully loaded truck.Its why you need a huge SUV.
Understood but this thing can’t be everything to everyone. 25-30k a year will be sold in the US and a small percentage will be used regularly in that fashion. So slight compromises gotta be made I guess
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      03-20-2019, 12:12 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by X4guy View Post
Any pics of captain chairs folded?
Here's a comparison:

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      03-20-2019, 01:49 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 760Lifan View Post
Here's a comparison:

From 5:40, so basically they don’t fold, just move a bit, bummer!
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      03-20-2019, 09:08 PM   #22
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Quote:
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From 5:40, so basically they don’t fold, just move a bit, bummer!
At least not from the trunk controls. They might be folded at the seats directly.
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