Is the leather real?

[McDonald]

I have searched the forums, but can't find the answer. PETA gave Toyota an award when the car came out (or shortly after) for the car not being offered with leather. And there is an article that quotes "We are sensitive to this," said Paul Daverio, manager for advanced technology vehicle marketing at Toyota. "Prius does represent social responsibility to the environment for many people. And we understand that there are some issues with leather."

So the leather option, is it real? I can't find anywhere where it says it is or isn't real! I would assume it is, and say that they would have use the word leatherette or vinyl or something else to describe what they use had it been fake, but I am curious as to whether this is in print somewhere. Is the leather real? Show me proof either way, not just what your dealer said!

[Joekc]

Originally Posted by McDonald

I have searched the forums, but can't find the answer. PETA gave Toyota an award when the car came out (or shortly after) for the car not being offered with leather. And there is an article that quotes "We are sensitive to this," said Paul Daverio, manager for advanced technology vehicle marketing at Toyota. "Prius does represent social responsibility to the environment for many people. And we understand that there are some issues with leather."

So the leather option, is it real? I can't find anywhere where it says it is or isn't real! I would assume it is, and say that they would have use the word leatherette or vinyl or something else to describe what they use had it been fake, but I am curious as to whether this is in print somewhere. Is the leather real? Show me proof either way, not just what your dealer said!

"Show me proof" Huh? I actually have cloth seats, but I don't know how you would want me to prove they're cloth. Maybe I could cut out a swatch and send it to you.

Of course it's leather. Do you think Toyota would have been able to fake it all these years? And why would they want to?

[Jiipa]

It may be that leather was not offered as a factory installed option in the first year or two. Does anyone with an '04 or '05 know if leather was a factory option or was it port or dealer installed?

[dogfriend]

Originally Posted by McDonald

So the leather option, is it real? I can't find anywhere where it says it is or isn't real! I would assume it is, and say that they would have use the word leatherette or vinyl or something else to describe what they use had it been fake, but I am curious as to whether this is in print somewhere. Is the leather real? Show me proof either way, not just what your dealer said!

The cars with factory leather are a combination of real leather in the seating areas and vinyl in other areas (e.g. the back of the seat). The leather in the seat bottoms and back is perforated. The steering wheel also has black leather on the rim and spokes. The center console lid and armrests have vinyl. (I have bisque (tan) leather in my car, package #6) The leather is described in the 2007 Prius brochure that I picked up when I bought my car.

Some cars are equipped with aftermarket leather; typically they do not have perforations. They also don't have the leather wrapped steering wheel.

I believe that the 2004 (2nd gen) Prius did not originally offer leather as an option; it was offered in later years. I think 2006 may have been the first year it was a factory option.

[AndyMartin826]

I have a 2006, and I don't remember seeing that as an option when I was researching mine.

[dogfriend]

According to this post:

2006 Prius Option Codes, Package Contents and Color Combos

Leather was available with Package #8 for 2006.

[AndyMartin826]

Wow, never saw that when I was looking for mine. Maybe, since I didn't need leather I just didn't pay much attention at that package level. Stand corrected

[ranchogirl]

Originally Posted by McDonald

I have searched the forums, but can't find the answer. PETA gave Toyota an award when the car came out (or shortly after) for the car not being offered with leather. And there is an article that quotes "We are sensitive to this," said Paul Daverio, manager for advanced technology vehicle marketing at Toyota. "Prius does represent social responsibility to the environment for many people. And we understand that there are some issues with leather."

So the leather option, is it real? I can't find anywhere where it says it is or isn't real! I would assume it is, and say that they would have use the word leatherette or vinyl or something else to describe what they use had it been fake, but I am curious as to whether this is in print somewhere. Is the leather real? Show me proof either way, not just what your dealer said!

In 2005, when we bought our Prius, leather was not offered. We have a package 6, no leather. It was offered starting in 2006.

[McDonald]

No no guys, I'm not asking if and when it was an option. I'm asking if the leather is real (and animal product), or if it's synthetic.

[McDonald]

Originally Posted by dogfriend

The cars with factory leather are a combination of real leather in the seating areas and vinyl in other areas (e.g. the back of the seat). The leather in the seat bottoms and back is perforated. The steering wheel also has black leather on the rim and spokes. The center console lid and armrests have vinyl. (I have bisque (tan) leather in my car, package #6) The leather is described in the 2007 Prius brochure that I picked up when I bought my car.

Hmm, I'll have to look in my 08 brochure. Thanks!