Question for all 405 Autobiography owners. Do you find the fact that the rear seats don’t fold flat a compromise to the rear space.

Ironically, whilst the autobiography ticks the boxes I want as a driver, the rear seats do nothing for me ( no kids). Yet the fact they don’t fold very flat and when up seen to take up quite a bit of room is frustrating.

What’s everyone else’s thoughts on it? I’m assuming all Autobiography’s have the same rear seats? [/b]

You could spec the AB without the Executive rear seats, I came across a couple when I was looking but they are quite rare. You don’t just lose the flat folding seats, the boot length is shorter as well because there’s a panel behind the seats.

I didn’t have an issue with boot space or the seats not folding flat, but it was bought for moving 5 people rather than ‘stuff’. MY23 Panamera E-Hybrid
MY19 SDV8 Autobiography - Sold

I'd prefer it if the seats went properly flat - but they don't. There's nothing I can do about it, so I got over it

I have the AB rear Exec Comfort seats (the pillows etc) as well as the hybrid, so I have the smallest possible boot. It’s a minor inconvenience and has never stopped me doing what I need to do. I don’t use the rear seats personally except perhaps when waiting in the car for something and I have my laptop out in which case they are marvellous. My 8 year old likes the heated seats and, less often, the massage function. Most occasional adult rear passenger dont notice specifics but always give compliments.

So if you need a practical load lugger then avoid the exec seats. If you want a touch of luxury and class, then seek them out. L405 P400e Autobiography (MY2020)... Silicon Silver / Espresso

Thanks for the replies on this one. I think you’re right in the, it’s worth the trade off. Whilst I appreciate there are plenty of other great vehicles that fold flatter. The trade off is more than acceptable for the driving comfort.

Honestly, it doesn't bother me as I never fold them down, but I would never buy one with executive seats either. overfinch modified

I use mine folded just about as often as the back seats get used for people (but that's not often at all!). I don't find the step a problem with the sorts of things I usually carry (eg lots of boxes of bits and/or tools) but I'm not moving appliance sized stuff. My biggest bug bear with the whole car is the stupid electrification of the fold mechanism. So much easier with a manual catch. Standing at the back with a finger on the button takes ages and ALWAYS catches the seatbelt when putting them back up which is a right PITA. Mike - MPx

2017 5.0 V8 Supercharged SVAutobigraphy Dynamic SVO Palette Grey (2021-...)
2012 5.0 V8 Supercharged Autoboigraphy Orkney Grey (2017-2021)
2007 4.2 V8 Supercharged Vogue SE Tonga Green (2012-2017)
2002 4.4 V8 Vogue Bonnatti Grey (2008-2012)

Totally agree Mike - in my view a case of gimmickry over practicality  Jonathan

2007 Defender 90 XS Hardtop

You don’t need to hold the button for the electric folding on the Executive a class rear seats, it’s one push, which is particularly handy when you’re putting the back seats up as you can do it from the boot.

That’s pretty practical imo. MY23 Panamera E-Hybrid
MY19 SDV8 Autobiography - Sold

But that's still half the trouble with the std seats Martin - standing by the boot when the backs come up means the seat belt gets trapped between the rising back and the fixed side squab. So you actually have to get the things half to three quarters up then go round and free the seatbelts then go back and do the rest. If they came up in one go, the seatbelt would always get trapped....or maybe there's a better seatbelt design on the exec seats too???? Mike - MPx

2017 5.0 V8 Supercharged SVAutobigraphy Dynamic SVO Palette Grey (2021-...)
2012 5.0 V8 Supercharged Autoboigraphy Orkney Grey (2017-2021)
2007 4.2 V8 Supercharged Vogue SE Tonga Green (2012-2017)
2002 4.4 V8 Vogue Bonnatti Grey (2008-2012)

If the seat belt sits on the outside edge of the extra side bolster it doesn’t get trapped. Just takes a little bit of education for the kids! MY23 Panamera E-Hybrid
MY19 SDV8 Autobiography - Sold

Not the best picture but this is what I mean

MPx wrote:

But that's still half the trouble with the std seats Martin - standing by the boot when the backs come up means the seat belt gets trapped between the rising back and the fixed side squab. So you actually have to get the things half to three quarters up then go round and free the seatbelts then go back and do the rest. If they came up in one go, the seatbelt would always get trapped....or maybe there's a better seatbelt design on the exec seats too????

My side buttons also work to raise the rear seats so you can deal with the belt not getting caught.

Like others have said, I cant stand that they are electric to fold the whole way down. Manual release is so much easier and quicker.

But what annoys me most is that when you fold em up or down, the front seats move forward to clear space …. But dont go all the way back to where there were before they moved … soooo annoying. V8 or else ...

I seldom carry passengers in the rear but often have to lower the seats for carrying ‘stuff’. I keep the rear seat belts done up and find this prevents them snagging when the seats are folded up or down.