A bucket seat is a type of car seat designed to hold a single occupant, providing significantly more support than a standard flat bench seat. Its defining feature is a contoured, bucket-like shape that wraps around the occupant's torso and thighs. This design is primarily intended to keep the driver and passengers securely in place during aggressive cornering, acceleration, and braking, making it a common feature in sports cars, race cars, and high-performance vehicles. The increased support helps reduce fatigue and improves control by minimizing body movement.
The key difference from a standard seat is the level of lateral support. The raised side bolsters on the seatback and bottom cushion are what create the "bucket" effect. While traditionally associated with performance, bucket seats are now also valued for their ergonomic benefits and sporty aesthetic in many modern vehicles, from hot hatches to luxury sedans.
There are varying levels of bucket seats:
- Sport Seats: Often found in factory performance models, these offer more bolstering than a regular seat but are still designed for daily comfort.
- High-Back Bucket Seats: Common in racing, these provide head and neck support and are often made from lightweight materials like fiberglass or carbon fiber.
- Fixed-Back Racing Buckets: These are rigid, lightweight seats designed strictly for safety and performance on a track. They typically do not recline and may require a racing harness.
While excellent for spirited driving, heavily bolstered buckets can be less comfortable for larger individuals and make entering/exiting the vehicle more difficult. For daily driving, a well-designed sport seat often offers the best balance of support and practicality.
