This is actually cultural- even down to individual culture, but certain regions and groups tend to have commonalities. Often times we consider the front seat to be the “alpha seat,” the most prime seat or the seat of the most important passenger. However it is common that the back seat is considered such. Most full size luxury vehicles place more amenities in the rear, the old BMW 7 series not old had a second radio in the rear armrest that overrode the front control, but power seat controls for the front seat were located in the rear seat so that from the heated power reclining rear seat the rear passenger could move the front seat to give themselves more leg room.
When you see “VIP’s” in transit such as royalty, heads of state, and corporate executives, they almost always sit in the rear seat. The rear seat is often most comfortable and largest, and the rear seat is often the safest seat (hence why most advisories say to place children and child seats in the rear and why rear seats are often designed to accommodate child seats.)
This is obviously not generally true of two door cars with four seats or compacts and economy cars and such, but the rear seat is actually generally the seat functionally best suited for the “most important passenger.” The front seat provides a better view through the forward window and in most cars proximity to the driver and control surfaces.
A major difference between more affluent people and the “average person” or even those of some wealth is that often the “most important person” in a car is the driver- it is custom among most of the population that the owner of the vehicle is most often the operator “my car my rules” vs. More common to more salient sorts that the owner of the car is them or is a car service and they are the “captain” and the driver is a hired service person or subordinate.
That can be one tell concerning a persons background or socioeconomic status- which seat they are accustomed to or gravitate towards. So it is especially true in places where servants are or, among those generations were, more common that a person from such a place or background would see the front seat as generally for “help” or junior or subordinate persons. We can use slang- “old money” vs. “New money” might be one way to put it. You can generally tell in “service environments” who is or is not used to having money and being served; and you can often tell “old money” from “new money” by how they behave.
As a general statement new money is more prone to conspicuous consumption in trendy fashions. Old money can be quite conspicuous but when so they tend to do so through things like “tasteful quality.”
Extensive use of exotic and high end materials that tend towards the sedate- hard woods and “real” furniture, complex weaves of high quality or heavy fabrics, clothing and furniture and items that can last lifetimes. The rest of the time they tend to be prudent. They don’t but because of a name brand, they buy name brand because of the reputation for quality or features they want. Old money usually will pay a lot for brands most have never heard of or artisan goods. New money ends to buy or pass off things as brands you likely know and are often only or mainly concerned with the brand being known as expensive or exclusive.
People who are used to servants aren’t awkward around them generally. They aren’t hesitant or apologetic or uncomfortable. They know the “rules” and not only let, but facilitate servants doing their jobs properly. In general old money has a reputation for being more courteous and polite when speaking directly to servants than new. Old money generally doesn’t need to and doesn’t make a habit of intentionally calling attention to their wealth. They are wealthy. They know it. You know it. They don’t really care if you know it. They care about getting and doing what they want. New money is more prone to intentionally or unintentionally flashing and broadcasting their status. Tips are seldom discreet, gestures are often grand and conspicuous, they tend to be immodest and perhaps too forward or truthful about their finances and status to others.
So there are all sorts of subtle ways to discern things about peoples socio economic and other cultural background statuses, and in the car there are white a few including how they perceive the seats.
In many cultures and sub cultures to place an elder or parent in the front seat might be an insult or a humiliation. If the driver and parent come from a culture where the “VIP” seat is the front and the third passenger comes from a culture where the “VIP” sits in the back, having the parent sit in front wouldn't generally make the third passenger think they got the best seat so much as it would be likely to make them feel uncomfortable because being seen in the back with an elder up front from their perspective would make them look bad. Like they took or demanded the seat of “honor” and forced the more honored person to sit up front, or like they have an elderly servant they are forcing to tend to them or such.
So it is interesting how even little things like this can not only tell us a bit about someone, but how across cultures and values systems they can be a bigger or lesser deal and can be interpreted so differently.
This is obviously not generally true of two door cars with four seats or compacts and economy cars and such, but the rear seat is actually generally the seat functionally best suited for the “most important passenger.” The front seat provides a better view through the forward window and in most cars proximity to the driver and control surfaces.
Extensive use of exotic and high end materials that tend towards the sedate- hard woods and “real” furniture, complex weaves of high quality or heavy fabrics, clothing and furniture and items that can last lifetimes. The rest of the time they tend to be prudent. They don’t but because of a name brand, they buy name brand because of the reputation for quality or features they want. Old money usually will pay a lot for brands most have never heard of or artisan goods. New money ends to buy or pass off things as brands you likely know and are often only or mainly concerned with the brand being known as expensive or exclusive.
In many cultures and sub cultures to place an elder or parent in the front seat might be an insult or a humiliation. If the driver and parent come from a culture where the “VIP” seat is the front and the third passenger comes from a culture where the “VIP” sits in the back, having the parent sit in front wouldn't generally make the third passenger think they got the best seat so much as it would be likely to make them feel uncomfortable because being seen in the back with an elder up front from their perspective would make them look bad. Like they took or demanded the seat of “honor” and forced the more honored person to sit up front, or like they have an elderly servant they are forcing to tend to them or such.