Looking For Premium Seat Covers

[The Critic]

The misty grey cloth seats on my Prius are beginning to show serious wear after 35k. The three cleanings I have done on them with harsher carpet chemicals probably did not help.

I am looking for a set of high-quality seat covers, preferably a velour type material (similar to factory cloth in the GTI). Budget is $300 or less, I definitely do not mind paying more for a quality product.

I would highly prefer a custom-fit seat cover, as opposed to a universal one.

Thanks!

 

[huffmuds9320]

There is actually a upholstery place that specializes in auto upholstery not too far from where I live. I have not been there before but pass by the place often, they been in business for a long time. Looking from the outside it appears they specialize in seat covers. So maybe you can find a place that does auto upholstery.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I agree, re-upholstery is much better than seat cover and doesn't cost much more than $300-400 for both front and back seats.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I agree, re-upholstery is much better than seat cover and doesn't cost much more than $300-400 for both front and back seats.


I am not fond of getting my interior torn apart.

 

[Lead Shoes]

Find a local upholstery shop and have them redo it, it will be right around your price range too, seat covers just slide around anyway, I would much rather have the seat recovered.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Brenden
Find a local upholstery shop and have them redo it, it will be right around your price range too, seat covers just slide around anyway, I would much rather have the seat recovered.


Custom ones should not. Clazzio seems to be a popular option, $404 shipped for a complete set:

http://priuschat.com/threads/clazzio-leather-seat-cover.73266/page-6

They look pretty good, but I was hoping for a velour option.

 

[yonyon]

Maybe you could get MrMikes to make up a nice set in suede for you? A Prius with suede seats... It would cost a little more, okay a lot more, but you can get fancy stuff like custom logos and whatnot.

 

[rjundi]

Really? I did not realize Toyota was using cheapo materials in the Prius. Did they put the money into the driveline not the car?

Or are you really messy with coffee?

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
Really? I did not realize Toyota was using cheapo materials in the Prius. Did they put the money into the driveline not the car?

Or are you really messy with coffee?


Haven't been in any recently made Toyotas at all I guess, a lot of them have a lot-rent interior nowadays.

 

[Teddi]

Have you looked at Wet Okoles? I have two sets on different Hondas and love them.

 

[azjake]

If your seats have the side airbags that come out from the bolsters to protect your thorax make sure whatever you get doesn't prevent them from inflating.

 

[Bamaro]

I would try someplace like RockAuto.com.
Be prepared for some sticker shock on installation. The going rate around here on just installation for the 2 front buckets on my Camaro (I provide PUI covers) is about $350

 

[azjake]

One other point. If the color is fading, but the material itself is in good shape you may want to consider getting a fabric spray to renew the color. There are companies that offer a wide variety of colors.

 

[NateDN10]

I also am wondering how your seats are "showing serious wear" after only 35K miles and less than 2 years? Do you wear leather jackets and pants with metal spikes?

Our two vehicles are much older and higher mileage than yours, and even my Cobalt (which was $11K brand new!) has seats in relatively good condition.

Just wondering.

 

[KrisZ]

Knowing Critic's standards, his "serious wear" is just a minor fade or wrinkle in the fabric for the rest of us

Seriously though, is I was considering spending this kind of coin of seat covers, I would rather get these seats re-upholstered with a better quality fabric.

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: azjake
If your seats have the side airbags that come out from the bolsters to protect your thorax make sure whatever you get doesn't prevent them from inflating.


+1

I've read these same warnings when looking at covers for my Hyundai Sonata.

Some seat covers claim they will allow the airbags to deploy properly, but who knows if that's true or if they've been tested.

 

[azjake]

Originally Posted By: stephen9666
Originally Posted By: azjake
If your seats have the side airbags that come out from the bolsters to protect your thorax make sure whatever you get doesn't prevent them from inflating.


+1

I've read these same warnings when looking at covers for my Hyundai Sonata.

Some seat covers claim they will allow the airbags to deploy properly, but who knows if that's true or if they've been tested.


How it works is the seams on the bolster are designed to tear away when the airbag inflates. If the airbag is blocked it seems logical it could actually cause serious injury by inflating into your body rather than outward.

 

[azjake]

Originally Posted By: azjake
Originally Posted By: stephen9666
Originally Posted By: azjake
If your seats have the side airbags that come out from the bolsters to protect your thorax make sure whatever you get doesn't prevent them from inflating.


+1

I've read these same warnings when looking at covers for my Hyundai Sonata.

Some seat covers claim they will allow the airbags to deploy properly, but who knows if that's true or if they've been tested.


How it works is the seams on the bolster are designed to tear away when the airbag inflates. If the airbag is blocked it seems logical it could actually cause serious injury by inflating into your body rather than outward.

 

[dwcopple]

Katzkins could be the ticket for you. Not sure if they do velour though.

 

[ARB1977]

Have wet okoles. They started falling apart after 4 years. I would buy some cheapos and replace them every few years.