Four cars with heated seats as standard

We’ve found four cars that’ll keep you toasty warm this winter

Let’s be honest – there’s nothing quite like the bliss of a heated car seat on a properly cold morning.

You know that moment when you slide in and feel that lovely warmth creeping up your back? It’s like getting a hug from your car. And that’s exactly what we need at 6am on a Monday morning in winter.

Once you’ve tasted the heated seat life, going back to freezing cold leather in winter feels barbaric.

Yet many manufacturers still hide heated seats in the upper – more expensive – trim levels, or want you to fork out for an optional pack.

Well, we’ve got good news.

We’ve tracked down four cracking cars that come with heated seats right out of the box. No upgrades, no optional extras, no combing through brochures required.

Just lovely warm seats from day one.

Hyundai IONIQ 6

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 might look like it’s been beamed down from 2050, but it’s one of the best electric saloons available today – complete with heated front and rear seats as standard.

Even on the basic Premium trim, your bum (and your passengers’ bums) will be nicely warmed.

This isn’t your average electric car either.

It’s got this sleek, swoopy design that makes it look properly futuristic, plus those distinctive pixel lights that’ll have people doing double-takes as you cruise on by. Inside, you get two massive 12.3-inch screens and enough space to stretch out on the longest of journeys.

The best bit? It’ll do up to 338 miles (WLTP Comb) on a single charge, so you can keep those seats toasty for ages without worrying about running out of juice.

And when you do need to charge, it’s fast.

With the right charger, you’re looking at under 20 minutes to charge to 80%.

If you fancy splashing out on the Ultimate trim, you not only get heated seats, but you get what Hyundai call ‘Relaxation’ seats. Basically, they fully recline so you can fit in a power nap while your car charges.

JAECOO 7

Never heard of JAECOO? You’re not alone – but it’s a name worth remembering.

This clever SUV (reminiscent of a wallet-friendly Land Rover) comes with heated seats on every single version, even the cheapest Deluxe trim. A bargain? Yes, we’d say so.

But that’s not all.

Go for the Luxury trim, and you’ll get heated rear seats too. We can’t promise it’ll stop all the arguments, but it’ll end the moaning about being too cold on long journeys.

The JAECOO 7 really is properly good value for money.

You get LED headlights, wireless phone charging, a massive sunroof, and a seven-year warranty that lasts longer than your car lease will – so you can drive around, safe in the knowledge that any unexpected faults will be sorted.

The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version can do 57 miles on electric alone, which means you could do the school run and your commute without touching a drop of petrol.

Plus, it feels well-made inside.

None of the scratchy plastics you sometimes get with cheaper cars, just good feeling materials that make the cabin a properly pleasant place to be.

Polestar 4

Unlike most of its rivals, the Polestar 4 doesn’t mess around with different trim levels. Every single one comes with heated seats.

Job done.

This Swedish beauty is a total head-turner, and not just because of it’s looks. It doesn’t have a rear window. Sounds weird, but stick with us – they’ve replaced it with a camera that works brilliantly.

You get a crystal-clear view of what’s behind you on the rearview screen, and it actually works better than a normal mirror once you’re used to it.

Inside, it’s posh and properly comfortable.

Everything you touch feels expensive, and those heated seats are just the start. You get climate control, wireless charging, and cameras all around the car to help with parking.

Want a heated steering wheel too? The Plus Pack will sort you right out.

And the electric range is seriously impressive, with up to 385 miles of WLTP Comb range on the single-motor version. That’s enough to get you from London to Edinburgh with juice to spare.

When you do need to charge, it’s quick – 30 minutes gets you from nearly empty to 80% full.

OMODA 9

Chinese car makers are going from strength to strength, and the OMODA 9 is proof.

This big, comfy SUV comes loaded with kit, including those essential heated seats.

The party piece here is the massive 34.5kWh battery in the PHEV. That’s huge for a hybrid and gives you up to 93 miles of electric-only driving.

You could do a week’s worth of commuting without burning a drop of petrol, all while staying nice and toasty with your heated seats.

The inside is dead smart too, with twin screens across the dash and expensive-feeling materials. The rear seats are massive and recline electrically, so your passengers can happily snooze the journey away.

And – unlike most PHEVs – the OMODA 9 can fast-charge, taking just 25 minutes to go from 30-80%.

That’s just enough time for a coffee and a wee at the services, before you’re heading off again on that electric-only power.

The bottom line

If you ask us, heated seats aren’t just a nice-to-have anymore, especially if you’re looking at leasing a brand-new car.

Living in the UK in the winter months is miserable at the best of times, with the long, grey, wet and cold days. Heated seats in your car go a small way to making life that little bit nicer.

They warm you up faster than the heater, use less energy (perfect if you’re looking at electric car leasing), and mean you can actually concentrate on driving instead of wondering if your spine’s going to freeze solid.

All four of these cars prove you don’t need to spend big to get heated seats.

Whether you want the space-age IONIQ 6, the value-packed JAECOO 7, the posh Polestar 4, or the comfortable OMODA 9, your backside will thank you.