A removable and stowable vehicle seat system includes a seat that can be folded into a compact form factor and a retainer provided in a cargo area of the vehicle to receive and retain the folded seat. The retainer is sized and shaped to receive the folded seat in a close arrangement to ensure the folded seat stays in place. A strap is also provided with tether hooks to secure the folded seat within the retainer by engaging the tether hooks to body anchors provided in the retainer. The floor recess of the retainer has features to easily receive a folded seat and position it into an optimal resting position. The floor recess may be provided with pads to engage with feet on the base of the folded seat. The pads serve to securely locate the seat within the retainer and to dampen vibration of the stored seat while the vehicle is in motion.