I didn't get too much time to compare and my decision was finally made remotely, with only photos and my vague recollection. My test drive was in a car with the regular seats, so my butt was in tune to that before sitting for a few moments in the Next Gen's.
I didn't notice a height difference. I noticed the side bolsters and I noticed additional lumbar support (which might have been an adjustment difference for all I know).
My current ride is an E-Class Benz, which has wide and relatively unbolstered seats. About as far from the Next Gen's as I can imagine.
In the end, I ordered Next Gen in part because I figured there was no point in skimping on a sub-thousand option given the price of the rest of the vehicle. It's the part of the car I'm going to be the most intimately acquainted with, so it better be comfortable. Would I order a full-load diesel 4X4 pickup and go with the bench seat instead of the buckets? Not likely!
