Ford Performance (formerly Ford Racing) and Recaro have a long-standing collaboration spanning over 50 years, offering performance-oriented seats as both factory options and aftermarket upgrades for various Ford vehicles, including the Mustang, Focus, and Fiesta ST models.
Overview of Ford Performance Recaro Seats
Ford Performance Recaro seats are designed to provide superior body support and enhance the driving experience, particularly during spirited driving or track use. They are engineered with unique foam density layering and structural rigidity to minimize torso movement during hard cornering.
Design and Features: The seats typically feature an integrated headrest with openings for racing harness pass-throughs, aggressive side and thigh bolsters, and high-quality materials like black perforated suede and leather with contrast stitching.
Ergonomics: Recaro prioritizes ergonomic design to reduce driver fatigue and prevent back pain on long drives by maintaining a correct, supportive posture.
Integration: Ford Performance versions are designed to integrate seamlessly with the vehicle's safety systems, including original equipment airbags and sensors, ensuring compliance with federal safety standards.
Pros and Cons from User and Expert Reviews
The decision to opt for Recaro seats often involves balancing performance needs with daily driving comfort. Reviews from sources like Cars.com and MotorTrend highlight several key points:
Pros
Superior Support: The main advantage is the excellent lateral and thigh support, which keeps the driver firmly planted during high-performance driving.
Enhanced Driving Experience: Many drivers feel the added support and lower seating position significantly improve the connection to the car and the overall driving experience.
Quality & Aesthetics: Reviewers praise the premium build quality, durable materials, and racing-inspired look that enhances the car's interior aesthetic.
Resale Value: Optional Recaro seats can add to the residual and resale value of the vehicle.
Cons
Loss of Convenience Features: In many Ford models (e.g., 2015+ Mustangs), choosing Recaro seats means forgoing luxury features like power adjustability, and heating/ventilation functions.
Comfort for Daily Driving: The aggressive bolstering, while great for the track, can be uncomfortable for some body types or on long highway cruises.
Egress/Ingress: The thick side bolsters can make getting in and out of the car more difficult.
Manual Adjustability: Often, the seats offer only manual adjustments, which some find less convenient than power seats.
These reviews detail the advantages and disadvantages of Ford Performance Recaro seats, considering track performance and daily driving usability:
2015 Ford Mustang: The Pros and Cons of Optional Recaro ...
Jul 19, 2018 — Pros * Track performance. Expectedly so for a high-performance seating option, the Recaros are right at home on the gt350 recaro seats track with agg...