Published : 30 June 2024
Read Time : 5 min
Author: Nikil Jonathan
In this Feature Explained article, we’ll present the most detailed analysis of your car's adjustable headrest feature. We’ll also list out the pros and cons of adjustable headrests.

An adjustable headrest is one of the least talked about safety features in a car. As long as you are comfortable with your driving or seating position while driving or sitting in a car, the chances are you’ve probably not noticed they exist at all. Headrests or head restraints are as important as the airbag and seatbelts in your car.
However, not all headrests are built the same. For example, many low-budget cars, such as the Maruti Suzuki Alto and Renault Kwid, do not come with adjustable headrests even for front seat occupants. This severely limits their effectiveness in a collision. While they could prevent whiplash for drivers of a certain height and build, they could cause serious injury to those of shorter or taller stature. Similarly, several manufacturers skimp on adjustable headrests for the rear seats, while others do not. While the Honda City lacks adjustable rear headrests, its rivals, such as the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Vento, offer them.
On the positive side, the probability of a heavy rear end collision is not only less likely, it’s also less life threatening as a forward collision.
The pros, or advantages, of a height-adjustable driver seat in a car, are:
Headrests or head restraints have the following disadvantages or issues:
Also Read: Height-Adjustable Driver Seat - Detailed Feature Explained
Adjustable headrests allow the seated occupant to position the head restraints in a way that fits the morphology of the person. Not all adjustable headrests are built equally, though – some let you increase the height while others let you adjust the tilt. When positioned correctly, they prevent hyperextension of your neck, which helps mitigate whiplash and other injuries in the event of a frontal or rear collision.

More often than not, your car’s adjustable headrest will outlast the entire car itself. However, if they break for various reasons, replacing adjustable headrests is quite affordable. They aren’t exorbitantly expensive. Adjustable headrests or head restraints for most mass-market cars are priced from Rs. 500 to Rs. 2,000, depending on the make and model.
To add an aftermarket adjustable headrest, you first need a variant, which has holes to install it. If your car doesn’t have these, but one of the higher variants of the same model does, then you will have to install the compatible backrest first.
Installing an adjustable headrest into the original seats of the car is a very easy process. All you’ve got to do is line up the two spokes of the headrest with the 2 holes on top of your seat, slide it in and lock it in place with the help of the tab provided at the plastic bit that surrounds the holes.
To adjust the height of the headrest, push the tab inwards and slide the headrest up or down till it clicks into place. Here are some additional tips for setting the headrest correctly:
The most affordable car that offers rear adjustable headrests is the Maruti Nexa Ignis Delta variant.
Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Ignis Petrol Variants Explained - Which One To Buy?
It’s a little tedious and expensive to get adjustable headrests after buying the car. So, you should consider the variant that comes with this feature from the factory. While you could get an OEM adjustable headrest from your authorised car service centre, we do not recommend them as it can get quite pricey to add to a car, which doesn’t get this feature from the factory.
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Content Writer
Nikil's a huge fan of classic cars, especially Italian beauties such as the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint and the Iso Grifo. His love for cars and bikes originated when he first laid his eyes on a poster of the Ferrari F40 and the MV Agusta F4 when he was just a child. He also loves all things analogue, especially vintage cameras and turntables.

























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