Beyond the obvious things like suspension tuning, power delivery, as well as technology and safety features, there are several other critical elements to luxury cars that sometimes get overlooked, one of which is seating. Indeed, having the right seats is absolutely critical – they are, after all, the single biggest passenger contact point in a car. But finding the right seats is no simple matter, especially when the car in question must ride that fine line between comfort and speed, a balance that Cadillac looks to strike quite frequently. As such, when it comes to finding stylish, luxurious, and supportive Cadillac seats, the answer is often Recaro.
For those who aren’t intricately familiar, Recaro is a German company that develops and manufactures seats for a long list of applications, from aircraft, to gaming chairs, to military vehicles, and yes, automobiles as well. Recaro offers products for OEMs like Cadillac, as well as the aftermarket, and motorsports (racing).
Optional Recaro seats in the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V
Through the years, Recaro has provided Cadillac seats for a number of different models, such as the second- and third-generation CTS-V, plus the first-generation ATS-V.
In pursuit of that perfect balance between comfort, support and style, Recaro-made Cadillac seats have offered a number of different features. For example, the 2016 ATS-V was offered with optional Recaro sitters with 16-way adjustability, along with adjustable side bolsters.
Adjustability is a critical component of these chairs. People come in all different shapes and sizes, and getting the right lateral support for aggressive, sporty driving shouldn’t come at the expense of long-range comfort.
Recaro seats in the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V
Materials are also important, given the need for something that’s soft and supple, but not overly slippery, while also being durable. In the case of the 2016 ATS-V, the answer is Mulan leather with sueded microfiber inserts and seatbacks.
The third element of the formula for superior seats in performance-oriented luxury cars is design, and the Recaros in Cadillac models do not disappoint. Thanks to a tasteful design that’s as eye-catching as it is unique, the chairs are some of the best-looking car seats we’ve ever seen.
Optional Recaro eats in the 2016 Cadillac ATS Sedan
Of course, not everyone cares about having gobs of lateral support, which makes sense given that it’s only a necessity when pushing the car’s performance envelope. As such, Recaro Cadillac seats are typically optional equipment, as opposed to being standard.
Cadillac is adamant in offering performance models in perpetuity, so it’s likely we’ll see Recaro step in for its sporty seat expertise well into the future, such as on the upcoming CT5-V Blackwing and CT4-V Blackwing models. And considering what we’ve seen from Cadillac-duty Recaros in the past, that’s a good thing. A very good thing.
Historic Availability
Recaro supplied Cadillac seats in the following vehicles:
- Second-generation Cadillac CTS-V family and certain CTS models with specific packages
- Third-generation Cadillac CTS-V Sedan
- First-generation Cadillac ATS-V Sedan and ATS-V Coupe
Subscribe to Cadillac Society for around-the-clock Cadillac news coverage.
RichOne
The Recaro seats offered in Cadillacs are a partnership of two great brands and the end result is a really nice seat as part of a really nice interior. Although the Recaro seats are most often associated with Cadillac V-Series automobiles, they were also offered in the 2014 Cadillac CTS Coupe with the Touring Package–without requiring the V-Series package–and that model was leading in its sales class and featured extraordinary and beautiful styling. It would be nice to see the Recaro seats offered again in a non-V-Series Cadillac (especially a Coupe!)
Frank Ricciardi
My 1988 Cadillac Allante had Recaro Seats.
Greg
I never owned an Allante but I’ve ridden in a few. I thought the seats were very uncomfortable.
feathers
I have the Recaro seats in my 2016 ATS-V. The rear cushion is way to short and provides little hamstring support for anyone over 6 ft tall (I’m 6’4). That’s why the Germans have the thigh extension feature on their seats. Heck, I’d even take the Recaro’s found in the Mustang 350GT as the bottom cushion is noticeably longer.
Stu Aaron
In your Recaro information you failed to mention that the Allante’ models can with Recaro seats. It is sad that no one remembers these very interesting a great automobiles from 1987 to 1993. At the end of the Allante manufacturing run, Cadillac decided to use seats similar to the their Eldorados, replacing the Recaro seats. While the Eldo seating was softer, the Recaro bucket seats were very comfortable and classy…………..Stu Aaron