Struggling to decide which way to go with the rear seats on a P550e AB. I’ve got two little ones in baby/booster seats so the business class rear seats are a bit of a waste and I guess (if anything like the L405) mean less boot space (anyone know how much?)

On the other hand the biz class seats are a no-cost option, way cooler, and it just feels wrong to not have them on a full fat Autobiography when you’re already paying for them.

Thoughts? 2018 P400e AB LWB

Hi
It's my impression from the configurator that Executive class rear seats are no longer a no-cost option. They used to be but they went when the MY24 came in.
Whether you pick them is dependent on two things. Boot Space - they do take an appreciable amount of boot space (around 9" at the top of the seat from memory). Comfort - they are way more comfortable than the standard seat so if you spend a bit of time in the rear seats they are worth looking at, if only the kids are in the rear seat then not so much. When we specced our L460 the dog got preferential treatment in the boot so we went with standard seats.
I hope that helps.

I have the fancy rear seats but they take up way more boot space than I imagined. I only ordered them because I wanted the rear arm rest upgrade and now I wish I hadn’t bothered. I imagine that if you have children the standard seats are the best option

I had the simpler seats on my first L405, then the fancier seats with the electrically folding armrest on my next L405s and now I am back to the simpler seats on my L460 LWB 7 seater. The fancier seats do take more room because they have a separate back for some reason. I don’t know the precise difference in boot space but I would estimate 100mm.

I prefer the simpler seats on my LWB car because I get good legroom for second row passengers and excellent boot space. They also fold much flatter for trips to the dump etc.

I know what you mean about getting an AB and so thinking you should have all the toys but I found that rear armrest annoying - it blocks access to the rear climate controls when the cupholders are extended (I realise there is a screen you can control things from now) and you can’t put anything underneath the armrest on a journey. You also can’t put much between the seats on the floor with the armrest down. So overall I prefer the simpler seats.

Good luck with your decision!

HUGE thanks for the info and opinions all!

I measured a car with the standard seats today and there’s about 100mm more depth to the boot; pretty handy as it’ll allow our pram to go in lengthways wheels first so you can sort of roll it in. In the car with the biz seats the pram needs to go in handle first which is obviously trickier.

I guess it comes down to head over heart; clearly for my use case the standard seats make more sense but having all the bells and whistles especially when they cost no more (still the case in Switzerland) feels right. Frankly even the business seats feel like a downgrade since I’m coming from a LWB L405 with the full recline, calf rest foot rest top-of-the-line seats with TVs.

Having said that the one and only time I used the full recline function was at the dealership before I bought the car. The child seats then went in and essentially never came out again! 2018 P400e AB LWB

Out of interest why are you going for the SWB car this time? The rear wheel steering is amazing and I find the LWB L460 easier to manoeuvre than the LWB L405.

Is it to get the drivetrain you want or another reason perhaps?

You guessed right; it’s to get the P550e. I’d get the 7 seater in a heartbeat if they offered it in PHEV but alas I suspect the weight is prohibitive.

It suits my lifestyle of 90% short runs in town, then a long road trip or two for holidays etc. I’d also struggle giving up the instant response that only electric can provide. I tried a LWB D350 and the engine was almost as smooth at the 4.4l V8; truly impressive but still not quite as silky as the PHEV.

Considered waiting for the all electric but I just know the range out of town will be garbage, and with the other car being a Tesla model S, I’d prefer if at least one vehicle can do the cross continental stuff hassle free. 2018 P400e AB LWB

Certainly notice the boot space is more limited.

But the rear seats go down very well with users!

My children no longer fight over front seat.

Once again a big thanks to everyone for the advice.

Decided to go for the standard rear seats to gain the extra boot space. The dealer also usefully informed me that the middle seat is a little wider too, so that sealed the deal!

Cheers all 2018 P400e AB LWB

Enjoy. Are they a popular car in Switzerland?

They are fairly popular, although you certainly see fewer than you do in Central London.

I would say there is 1 Fullfat for every 7 or 8 BMW X5.

I'd also say that RR Sports are not more popular than Fullfats despite being significantly cheaper 2018 P400e AB LWB

I have the executive seats in my P550e and they are wonderful. My teenage boys love them, especially when reclined on long journeys.

However, agree with the comments about boot space, and one other thing that you may not have considered, the 5th centre seat is dreadful with the executive seats. To the extent that it's nothing more than an occasional seat for short journeys. Reason being that it is just too far reclined for comfort.

For my next RR, I suspect I will not spec' the exec seats. And like others have mentioned, I'm hoping the long wheel base is available with the PHEV powertrain. 2024 Range Rover P550e AB