TOP-LOADED SEAT CUSHION SYSTEM

A method of mounting a seat assembly to a vehicle, includes the steps of 1) providing a wire frame assembly having a side rail and engagement features; 2) overmolding a cushion support assembly to the wire frame assembly to form a seat portion assembly, wherein portions of the side rail and the engagement features are exposed; 3) mounting a trim panel to a seat frame within a vehicle interior; 4) mounting one or more support plates having receiving apertures to the seat frame; 5) vertically mounting the seat portion assembly to the trim panel by receiving the exposed portion of the side rail of the wire frame assembly within a clip member of the trim panel; and 6) vertically mounting the seat portion assembly to the support plates by receiving the exposed portions of the engagement features within the receiving apertures of the one or more support plates.