The headrests are one of the strangest design decisions in my opinion. They jut forward into your head and are extremely narrow. I think they would be especially annoying for a front seat passenger who wanted to recline and take a nap to balance their head on that 6 inch wide section. I read a post by one potential buyer (not sure if it was on this forum or on facebook) who said the headrests were an absolute deal breaker for him, and he literally decided not to buy the car because he found them so uncomfortable. I don't think they're that bad, but it definitely seems like they are another example of tesla choosing form over function.
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Head rests - so narrow and far forward
- Thread starter slipnslider
- Start date
The Model 3 headrests don’t bother me one bit and seem pretty comfortable. My wife certainly has no trouble falling asleep in the passenger seat when I’m driving 
The original headrests that came with my 2012 Mustang were absolutely horrible. I swapped those out for a newer version that Ford of course started installing in the Mustang just 2 months after I took delivery of mine.
The original headrests that came with my 2012 Mustang were absolutely horrible. I swapped those out for a newer version that Ford of course started installing in the Mustang just 2 months after I took delivery of mine.
ProphetM
Member
Do people actually put their heads back on headrests? I must be automobiling wrong.
AnarchyEOD
Member
They made me cancel my reservation. I'm very sensitive to ergonomics and I like to sit up straight. Same with my girlfriend and my parents. If they eventually release a Model 3 with a *straighter* headrest, I'll get one.
This headrest makes it impossible to sit up straight with your back against the seat without bending your neck far forward. It would require massive alterations to the seat to be ergonomic; as it is it's bad for your back and neck, and my physical therapist wouldn't approve.
That might have been me.
I bought my Model S without ever test driving it, but I did go to a showroom and sit in the seat to make sure it was OK. Did the same with Model 3, but the seat was no good. :shrug:
Isn't that the way anti whiplash headrest are? I noticed a lot of cars headrest are more forward now and not straight up/flat.
My friend would take out his headrest and put it in the other way when he autox in his BRZ because it got in the way with your helmet. Probably not a good idea, but you could do it as a solution.
My friend would take out his headrest and put it in the other way when he autox in his BRZ because it got in the way with your helmet. Probably not a good idea, but you could do it as a solution.
If you really like everything else about the car and are a bit handy, this might work for you.
I rented an early build from turo for an extended test drive and didn't like the headrests either. Not enough for me to cancel my reservation, but they were the one thing that irked me a little. That said I didn't notice them nearly as much when I test drove the P3D with white interior. I'm waiting for my AWD with white interior so hopefully it's improved, but if not, I'll probably adjust them a bit like they did in the video.
I rented an early build from turo for an extended test drive and didn't like the headrests either. Not enough for me to cancel my reservation, but they were the one thing that irked me a little. That said I didn't notice them nearly as much when I test drove the P3D with white interior. I'm waiting for my AWD with white interior so hopefully it's improved, but if not, I'll probably adjust them a bit like they did in the video.
I have no idea what on earth you're talking about. I drive with my seat virtually bolt upright, and my head never touches the head'rest'. I've been in cars with headrests that come way further forward relative to the seating position, which, yes, I do find annoying.
Fernand
Active Member
Hey, this is so cool. Knowing this, you can reposition the headrest to your liking, and we know how variable that can be. I just ordered a $20 remedial neck-gap-filling leather covered pillowette, we'll see how it works. Of course my Model 3 will no longer be vegan, can't have everything.
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I thought the purpose of the head restraint was to prevent whiplash in case of an accident, not to actually rest your head on while driving. Is this incorrect?
Fernand
Active Member
Seats are designed for comfort and safety of average people. People come in different shapes, it's impossible for everyone to find a given seat ideal, and it seems logical to adjust/adapt the seat to their bodies.
I was worried about this too but just completed a 600 mile trip over 2 days and the headrests ended up being very comfortable. I moved my back tilt angle rearward a little to compensate.
The headrests feel too forward at first but after a while I stopped thinking about this and everything is great.
The headrests feel too forward at first but after a while I stopped thinking about this and everything is great.
AustinPowers
Total Smeghead
I have not had much of a chance to test the headrests yet, but all I can say is that up to now I have not even noticed them, so they at least can't be too uncomfortable for people of my shape and size.
The whole seat experience has been far better than what I had feared after reading so many accounts of people who didn't find them comfortable or supportive enough. As it stands, I have no reason to complain yet.
The whole seat experience has been far better than what I had feared after reading so many accounts of people who didn't find them comfortable or supportive enough. As it stands, I have no reason to complain yet.
Fernand
Active Member
Wow, got my Model 3 Headrest Upgrade and it RRROCKS!
Also took off the Aero plastic. Nicer. Now some decorative nut covers.
Was thinking about a Red Brake Caliper Kit, but my wife says it's ghetto.
Also took off the Aero plastic. Nicer. Now some decorative nut covers.
Was thinking about a Red Brake Caliper Kit, but my wife says it's ghetto.
Fernand
Active Member
Black breathable leather with fabric back and sides, memory foam inside. Well-made support cushion. Matches black premium interior seat pretty well. Elastic fabric band with buckle holds it in a good position, for me anyway. I have back problems, and with the M3 seats' adjustments, I can find a position to drive in nest-like comfort with head on headrest, neck and shoulders against cushion.
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Silicon Desert
Well-Known Member
I've had to get a similar looking headrest type of pillow for my MX. Yes I see this is a 3 forum, yet interesting to for me to note not much has changed in 3 years. The headrest on my X digs into the back of my neck and my son said the same thing the first time he sat in the car. It's a bad design for us. We are tall.
Sure, I see there are some tall people that are ok with it. Typically I don't drive with my head against the headrest, but still, it sticks out so far at the base that it puts pressure against the base of my neck even without leaning my head against it. On long all day drives, it would be more comfortable if it weren't shaped that way as I'd like to actually use it as a "Head" "Rest" during multiple days.
Wife thinks it is fine, but she is 5'6" so it fits ok. Frankly I am also in the camp of thinking did Tesla just want a sexy looking rocket seat or actually tested the design on various people. In my other cars, the height is adjustable, and is more vertical, so not a problem, but not on the X. Not sure about the 3 headrest. I'd love to just replace it if I could. Until then, the strapped on pillow works ok.
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