A good desk chair is not cheap. High-end ergonomic chairs already cost a lot because they focus on comfort, posture support, and long hours of sitting. But Toyota has taken things to another level by introducing a desk chair that costs around $3,500.
This product is called the “CROWN SEAT” Desk Chair. It has been developed by Toyota Boshoku and is based on the front seat used in the Toyota Crown. Instead of designing a chair from scratch, the company has taken an actual car seat and adapted it for desk use.
The idea is to bring automotive-level comfort into offices and home setups. The chair looks almost identical to a car seat, with thick cushioning, strong side bolsters, and a large headrest. The main change is the base, which has been redesigned so it can function like a proper office chair.
To make it practical, Toyota Boshoku partnered with ITOKI, a Japanese office furniture company. This ensures the chair meets basic desk chair requirements like stability, mobility, and usability in a workspace.
It includes powered reclining and powered seat adjustments, just like a premium car seat. Users can adjust the position with buttons instead of manual levers. There is also lumbar support and front tilt control to help with posture during long working hours.
Toyota has also added features that are rarely seen in desk chairs. The chair comes with seat heating for colder environments and ventilation with built-in fans to keep the seat cool. These features are common in luxury cars but are almost never found in office chairs.
Another unique addition is a USB Type-C charging port placed where the seat belt buckle would normally be. Users can plug their phone directly into the chair. All the powered features, including adjustment, heating, and ventilation, run on a rechargeable battery.
Key Specs
- Powered adjustments: Recline, height, lumbar support, and tilt (like Toyota Crown)
- Heating: 3-level back and hip warming
- Ventilation: 3-level cooling for seat and back
- Battery: Rechargeable, powers all features
- USB-C port: Built into seatbelt buckle for charging
- Dimensions: 28-inch width, 42-inch height, max seat height 29-inch, depth 21–27 inches, base 18-inch
However, the price makes it a niche product. At around $3,500, it is more expensive than most premium ergonomic chairs and even many full desktop setups. On top of that, Toyota Boshoku plans to produce only about 70 units, and the chair will be available only in Japan.
When compared to regular desk chairs, you can understand the difference. Traditional ergonomic chairs focus on posture, adjustability, and breathable materials. They are designed for productivity and long-term health. This Toyota chair focuses more on luxury and comfort inspired by automotive seating.
Compared to gaming chairs, the difference is also interesting. Gaming chairs usually offer reclining, headrests, and lumbar cushions, but many of them focus heavily on design and styling. The Toyota chair, on the other hand, is built from an actual car seat, which is designed for long hours of real-world use.
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