Recaro SPG vs Pole Position: Which Is Better?
We are not short of options for racing seats in the modern automotive world. Enough time has passed that we, as a community, have a pretty good idea about what it is a racing seat needs to be. Sure, there is always room for improvement, but most racing seats have the potential to be near perfect for the needs of the driver.
The problem is those needs vary from person to person. Therefore, answering the question of which seat is better between the Recaro SPG vs Pole Position isn’t quite as simple as picking the one made from your favorite material or in your favorite color.
This blog post will break down both of these seats, stack them up against each other, and see how well they fare. Here is the Recaro SPG vs Pole Position – Everything you need to know.
Highlights
- The article compares the Recaro SPG vs Pole Position racing seats.
- The Recaro SPG is known for its aggressive design and excellent support, featuring a steel frame and fiberglass plastic shell, making it lightweight but narrow, suited for drivers with a slim or athletic build.
- The Recaro Pole Position offers a balance of comfort and support with a slightly more relaxed design and moderate side bolstering, providing a bit more width and accommodating drivers with a broader physique.
- Both seats use high-quality materials and precise tailoring, with upholstery options ranging from durable fabrics to premium leather.
- The Recaro SPG is narrower and snug, while the Pole Position offers a more accommodating fit for drivers of varying body types.
- The SPG is lighter in weight, prioritizing weight reduction for improved performance, while the Pole Position is slightly heavier but still lightweight for its purpose.
- Both seats come with integrated headrests, side bolsters, harness pass-throughs, and options for side airbag compatibility for safety and support.
- Both offer multiple adjustability options for customization, with the Pole Position having a slight edge in this aspect.
- Both seats are suitable for race cars, with the SPG better suited for slimmer and taller individuals, and the Pole Position offering more adjustability for different body types.
The Recaro SPG
The Recaro SPG is a super popular racing seat for Porsche owners that is well known for its aggressive design and excellent support. It combines a pairing of a steel frame and a fiberglass plastic shell, ensuring it is both strong and durable.
Although it does therefore sacrifice some comfort. The SPG is typically pretty narrow, making it better suited for drivers with a slim or athletic build (as most racing drivers naturally are).
It is often preferred for racing due to its lightweight design, which helps reduce overall vehicle weight. Sure, it’s only a little, but every pound matters. The Recaro SPG comes with integrated headrests and side bolsters.
The Recaro Pole Position
The Recaro Pole Position is another super popular racing seat that offers a balance of comfort and support. It too features a steel frame and fiberglass shell.
Compared to the Recaro SPG, the Pole Position has a slightly more relaxed design with an emphasis on side bolstering.
It offers a bit more width, making it suitable for drivers with a broader physique. This seat also incorporates integrated headrests and side bolsters. It provides a comfortable seating position without compromising too much on performance or weight.
Recaro SPG vs Pole Position – The Best Design
The Recaro SPG racing seat features an aggressive design with pronounced side bolstering. Its sleek and streamlined profile gives it a sporty appearance.
The SPG’s overall design is really geared towards providing excellent lateral support and a more performance-oriented look. It is meant to look like a racing seat. Of course, looks aren’t everything.
On the other hand, the Recaro Pole Position racing seat has a slightly more relaxed design than the SPG. It offers moderate side bolstering, striking a balance between support and comfort. It looks a little more “casual” but there you are.
Recaro SPG vs Pole Position – Material and Tailoring
The Recaro SPG features high-quality materials and meticulous tailoring. The seat’s upholstery can vary, with options ranging from durable fabrics to premium leather. It depends on your budget and preferences.
The materials used are designed to withstand the stressors of racing while providing moderate levels of comfort for the driver. The tailoring focuses on an ergonomic design, which basically means it ensures a supportive fit.
The attention to detail in the stitching and overall construction is designed to look good and last a long time. Like the SPG, the Recaro Pole Position utilizes high-quality materials and precise tailoring done by a mixture of machines and, in some cases, by hand.
The seat’s upholstery options often include a range of fabrics and leather, most people go for a faux-leather blend. These materials are selected to balance comfort, durability, and aesthetics.
Recaro SPG vs Pole Position – Size and Fit
The Recaro SPG seat is generally known for its narrower/slimmer dimensions. It is designed to provide a snug fit, particularly suited for drivers with a slim or athletic build. The idea is that the narrower width allows for better lateral support during high-performance driving, keeping the driver securely in place.
Rather than having them pinged around the cabin. However, if you are someone with a broader physique you may find the SPG seat too constricting or uncomfortable. The Recaro Pole Position seat offers slightly more width compared to the SPG, though it is still designed to hold you securely in place.
It provides a balance between comfort and support, accommodating drivers with a broader physique more comfortably.
The additional width allows for better freedom of movement without sacrificing the necessary side bolstering for support during quick and agile driving. Everybody is different in their wants and needs and their literal body.
You may need to try out a few seats before committing to one over the other. You may think that you are fine with the Pole Position roomier fit but when it comes to race day you feel loose and erratic and would prefer something a little more rigid.
Recaro SPG vs Pole Position – Weight and Functionality
The Recaro SPG is lighter in weight compared to the Pole Position. The SPG’s construction materials and design choices prioritize weight reduction, which can be beneficial when racing for obvious reasons. The lighter weight of the SPG seat can contribute to improved performance and agility.
The Recaro Pole Position, while still utilizing high-quality materials, tends to be slightly heavier (and more comfortable) than the SPG.
The additional weight is a result of its design features. While it may not offer the same weight-saving advantages as the SPG, the Pole Position still maintains a reasonable weight for its intended purpose.
It isn’t like we are comparing cats and dogs here, they are both pretty lightweight compared to standard luxury car seats.
Both the Recaro SPG and Pole Position are designed with integrated headrests, side bolsters, and harness pass-throughs, which from a functionality perspective certainly enhances safety and support while driving.
Both seats are also typically available with options for side airbag compatibility, which most pros would recommend.
The functionality of the seats largely applies to the adjustability options. Both the SPG and Pole Position offers multiple adjustments, such as reclining and seat height adjustments, allowing drivers to customize their seating position for optimal comfort and driving ergonomics.
They are pretty on par in terms of the variety of options available. However, the Pole Position does just edge its nose out in front.
Our Verdict On Recaro SPG vs Pole Position Seats
Both of these seats are excellent for most race cars, especially Porsches. While they both do a similar job, they tend to thrive in slightly different ways. Of course, as we have mentioned, the SPG is better suited for people with a more athletic build.
Or people that are skinnier and taller. While the Pole Position is better suited for other body types, as it is more adjustable and therefore easier to mold to each driver’s needs.
Both seats cost similar amounts, and while they certainly do suit different body types better each seat could be used by just about any person with the right adjustments.
