Which Sports Recliners Fit With a Low Roof Like The MR2 Mk3 And Toyota Celica?
Low roof sports cars like the Toyota MR2 Mk3 and Toyota Celica Mk6 are a blast to drive, but they can be tricky when it comes to finding the right aftermarket seats. The compact cabin space means you have to carefully consider seat height, backrest shape, and base profile to ensure a comfortable, safe, and legal fitment. Taller seats or those with high-profile bases can push your driving position up too high, causing your head to brush the roof or forcing an uncomfortable seating posture.
The key here is to choose seats with a lower profile and a shorter back height so you can sit lower in the car. This not only maximises headroom but also improves driving ergonomics, especially for taller drivers. By avoiding oversized bases and tall seat backs, you’ll achieve a fitment that complements the MR2’s and Celica’s low roofline design without compromising comfort or support.
Customer Experience – Why Seat Height Matters
One of our customers attempted to fit Auto Style Type RS-II seats into their Toyota MR2 Mk3, which turned out to be a perfect example of why seat height is so important. The RS-II measures 100cm tall, and once installed, the seat was in constant contact with the roof. This made it uncomfortable and impractical for everyday driving, let alone track use.
From this experience, we’ve learned that keeping the overall seat height (including rails) at or below around 90cm is essential for these cars. That measurement gives you enough clearance for headroom, even with a helmet on, and keeps the driving position low enough for proper control and comfort.
The Corbeau SVR – Key Features & Compact Design
The Corbeau SVR is built with practicality in mind. It’s a steel-framed reclining sports seat, trimmed in durable, high-quality black vinyl, giving it both a premium look and everyday usability. The seat features a smooth recline mechanism, allowing you to adjust the backrest angle for maximum comfort, perfect for longer road trips, daily driving, and fast road use. The Corbeau SVR is one of our top recommendations for the MR2 Mk3 and Celica Mk6. Designed with a slimline profile and shorter overall height, the SVR delivers excellent support while fitting neatly under the low roofline. The seat features deep bolsters for great lateral support, a supportive reclining mechanism, and high-quality upholstery.
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From £1,420.00 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Key Highlights:
- Shorter seat height makes it ideal for low-roof sports cars
- Vinyl trim is easy to clean and wear-resistant
- Integrated recliner mechanism for adjustable comfort
- Compact, contoured design for snug support
- Base mount only – no side mount hardware required
- Not FIA-approved – suitable for road use and casual track days
At just 900mm tall, this seat avoids headroom interference, which is often a problem with standard-height recliners. If you’ve ever struggled with taller seats brushing the roof lining or forcing you into a slouched position, the SVR could be the answer.
Key Measurements:
- Total Height: 900mm
- Shoulder Width: 530mm
- Hip Width: 290mm
- Base Width: 500mm
- Seat Depth (front to back): 630mm (approx.)
The standout number here is the 900mm height, which is significantly shorter than most reclining sports seats that often range from 950–1000mm or more. This reduced height ensures you retain headroom even in tight spaces, preventing issues with the seat back pressing into the roof or forcing you into a reclined driving position just to clear the ceiling.
The narrow hip width (290mm) and slim base also help the SVR slot easily between tight centre consoles and door cards, especially useful in cars like the Toyota MR2 Mk3, and Toyota Celica Mk6, where space is extremely limited.
Corbeau PSR Reclining Sport Seat
For those who want a slightly more road-biased seat without sacrificing support, the Corbeau PSR is another excellent option for the Toyota MR2 Mk3 and Celica Mk6. It offers slightly softer padding compared to the SVR, making it ideal for long-distance journeys while still holding you securely during cornering. This seat blends style, comfort, and practicality, and thanks to its compact profile, it works beautifully in low-roof sports cars where taller seats would be a problem.
Key Features:
- Reclining mechanism for adjustable seating position
- Deep side bolsters for improved lateral support
- Supportive but comfortable cushioning for long-distance use
- Compact overall height ideal for low-roof sports cars
- Durable, high-quality upholstery
- Easy fitment with Planted Technology subframes and Sparco runners
- Suitable for daily use as well as spirited weekend driving
The PSR features a classic sports recliner design with supportive bolsters for the thighs and torso, giving you stability during spirited driving while still allowing for easy entry and exit. The reclining mechanism provides a wide range of adjustment, making it versatile for daily driving, weekend blasts, and occasional track days. Its combination of comfort-focused cushioning and supportive bolstering makes it a strong choice for drivers who spend a lot of time behind the wheel.
Key Dimensions:
- Total Height: 90cm
- Shoulder Width: 57cm
- Base Width (Seat Cushion): 50cm
- Hip Width: 39cm
- Depth (Front to Back): 54cm
- Backrest Height from Seat Base: 61cm
- Waist Size Guide: 30–36 inch
Auto Style Type C Sports Seat
The Auto Style Type C is a versatile sports recliner that strikes an excellent balance between comfort, adjustability, and support, making it a great choice for the Toyota MR2 Mk3 and Celica Mk6. With its lower overall height compared to many standard sports seats, it fits comfortably in low-roof cars while still giving the driver the firm bolstering needed for spirited driving. Its slim profile also helps maximise space in narrower cockpits, ensuring there is no interference with the doors or centre console.
Key Features:
- Reclining sports seat with smooth adjustment
- Lower height design ideal for low-roof cars like the MR2 Mk3 and Celica Mk6
- Supportive thigh and torso bolsters for enhanced driving stability
- Comfortable cushioning suitable for daily driving
- Slim profile to maximise space in tighter interiors
- Sturdy construction for long-term durability
- Works perfectly with Planted Technology subframes and Sparco runners
- Stylish design that complements modern and classic interiors
This seat features a smooth reclining mechanism, allowing you to fine-tune your driving position with ease. The bolsters are supportive without being overly aggressive, so it’s comfortable for daily commutes yet still locks you in place when cornering. The Auto Style Type C also has a stylish, modern design that complements the interior of most sports cars, and its combination of practicality and performance makes it a very appealing option for both road and occasional track use.
Key Dimensions:
- Total Height: 83cm
- Shoulder Width: 55cm
- Base Width (Seat Cushion): 54cm
- Hip Width: 33cm
- Depth (Front to Back): 58cm
- Backrest Height from Seat Base: 53cm
- Waist Size Guide: 30–38 inches
Auto Style BS5 Sports Seat
The Auto Style BS5 Sports Seat is a comfortable and supportive recliner that blends everyday usability with the extra bolstering needed for spirited driving. Designed with a slightly lower profile than many aftermarket recliners, it’s a great option for low-roof sports cars such as the Toyota MR2 Mk3 and Celica Mk6, where headroom is limited. Its design offers enough side support to hold you in place during cornering, but it is not overly restrictive, making it suitable for both long drives and short bursts of track action.
Key Features:
- Reclining sports seat designed for low-roof vehicles
- Slim profile for easy fitment in tighter cockpits
- Supportive side bolsters for improved lateral stability
- Comfortable cushioning for daily use and long-distance trips
- Fully adjustable reclining mechanism
- Durable construction for long-term reliability
- Stylish and versatile design to suit different interiors
- Compatible with Planted Technology subframes and Sparco sliding runners
- Ideal balance of comfort and support for both road and light track use
The BS5 features a reclining mechanism that allows for easy position adjustments, so you can find the perfect driving posture whether you’re heading to work or enjoying a weekend drive. The bolstering is moderately firm, giving you the right balance of comfort and stability. Its timeless sports styling makes it a good match for both modern and classic interiors, and the slim-fit design ensures that it won’t crowd your cockpit or interfere with the centre console or door trims.
Key Dimensions:
- Total Height: 86.5cm
- Shoulder Width: 55cm
- Base Width (Seat Cushion): 46.5cm
- Hip Width: 31cm
- Depth (Front to Back): 58.5cm
- Backrest Height from Seat Base: 54cm
- Waist Size Guide: 30–36 inch
Installation – The Right Hardware for the Job
We recommend using Planted Technology vehicle-specific subframes for the Toyota MR2 Mk3 and Celica Mk6. These subframes are designed to bolt directly into the factory floor mounting points, making installation quick and straightforward. They also feature all the common bolt patterns – 291mm, 345mm, and 405mm – ensuring compatibility with all the seats we’ve listed above.
Pair these with the Sparco Sliding Runner Kit for an adjustable setup. The runners sit between the seat and subframe, adding about an inch of height, which we’ve accounted for in our seat height recommendations. Planted frames also feature a built-in seatbelt mounting point, so you can keep your factory seat belts for daily driving use.
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From £185.50 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £185.50 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Try the SVR for Yourself – Available for Viewing In-Store
We have the Corbeau SVR on display in our showroom, so if you’re unsure how it feels or whether it will suit your build, you can visit us in-store to sit in it, inspect the finish, and compare it to other recliners we stock. This hands-on experience is the best way to ensure the seat suits your driving position and interior dimensions.
If you like the feel and want to get your fitting sorted quickly, we can also provide all the matching subframes, runners, and brackets to get your SVR installed without hassle.
Final Thoughts – The Perfect Fit for Your Low Roof Sports Car
Finding the right sports recliner for a low-roof car like the Toyota MR2 Mk3 or Celica Mk6 is all about balancing comfort, support, and compact dimensions. With the right seat and fitting equipment, you can achieve a lower, more ergonomic driving position without sacrificing style or usability.
Our top four picks – the Corbeau SVR, Corbeau PSR, Auto Style Type C, and Auto Style BS5 – all deliver on these requirements, offering a blend of road comfort and track-ready support while fitting perfectly into the tight confines of these cars.