Well, that's a bit disappointing
 

My 2016 LX 6MT was delivered in late December so I never had the chance to fool around with the "Magic Seats" since it was always too darn cold or snowing.

Today I needed to go into full cargo mode and was disappointed to discover the front passenger seat does not fold flat forward, only backward and then it's not 100% flat (unless I'm doing something wrong). That exposes the upholstery to whatever you're hauling, unless you toss a protective cover over the seat.

That was something I loved about my Toyota Matrix: the front passenger seat folded completely flat with just a release of the seat handle. It was extremely handy if I wanted to leave my purse or other valuables in the car: I just pulled the passenger seat down to cover it.

Hope that's the only disappointment I come across.

were u placing ur kayak in ur ride?

Nope. Have a Thule roof rack for the kayak.

I thought they restored "Refresh Mode" in the 3rd Gen.

OK, what's the procedure for flattening the front seat most? I sometimes want to haul 8' long boards, and can always find a tarp to put over a reclined front seat.

I think it is to remove the headrest, recline the seat BACK until you cannot recline any more. Cover seat with something.

Be sure to pull the front passenger seat all the way forward first.

Thanks.......

yah but the seat cushion is still exposed per wat the OP stated.. he doesnt want to damage the cloth with his cargo.

Not only that, but the front passenger seat on my Toyota Matrix didn't have a fabric back. It was hard plastic of some sort with an indent for a cup holder.

Quite handy being able to push the front passenger seat down forward as with the back seat folded, there was a completely level playing field.