I like the fabric. I got the NL (No Leather) package on purpose. I'm sure lots of auto upholstery shops will be glad to take a couple of grand off you. Probably more leather and better quality than the factory leather. And you can get heated seats.

The standard Prius is equivalent to XLE trim. Toyota was originally a fabric company and I have found their materials excellent, if not superior, over the long term.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(newlifein5 @ Apr 24 2007, 08:47 PM) [snapback]429487[/snapback]</div>

A good set of seatcovers works well until trade in time rolls around and cost a bunch less than leather

The material of the Prius seats is made from the skin of the endangered white rhino, according to CNW marketing.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Stev0 @ Apr 25 2007, 09:32 AM) [snapback]429708[/snapback]</div>

*splort*

:lol:

I have bought leather for my Prius at an aftermarket shop which does 95% dealer business, so you know it has to be done right.

The advantage of aftermarket leather is that you get a better choice of materials and colors than what is standard. Your seats can be perforated or non-perforated for example.

Cost here is $1100. If you see the leather you would think it's a factory job!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Apr 25 2007, 01:53 AM) [snapback]429595[/snapback]</div>

My feelings exactly. I also purposely bought everything but leather.

Tom

i like the fabric too but it gets dirty easily. i thought about putting scotchguard on but has any1 use scotchguard on their fabric seats? 2007 base. with slight tan/cream color fabric.

heard scotchguard is suppose to preserve and coat the fabric so that if anything spills or it gets dirty, u can just wipe it off with a cloth easily. any truth to that or am i just wasting 10 bucks and a possible decolorization to my seats. plus i hate spot testing things.

thanks in advance.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(newlifein5 @ Apr 25 2007, 03:16 PM) [snapback]430077[/snapback]</div>

I know firsthand that Scotchguard works as advertised. Unfortunately, it doesn't help against melted chocolate, but it works fine with typical spills like Coke.

I don't much like Scotchguard. The aerosol propellant bothers me. I like 303 Fabric Guard a lot better. You won't gas yourself spraying it inside your car, and it has UV protection which I don't think Scotchguard does, though I could be wrong.

Hi newlifein5

I drove my 2004 Prius for two years and found the fabric easy to clean... looked almost new when I traded last November for a 2007 Pkg.6 with leather. No way could I call the fabric 'cheap.'

I bought a Package 6 (factory leather). I do like the leather - nice 'smell' and it's easy to 'twist your butt into and out of place' when entering and exiting' - the fabric kinda grips your butt when you swing in or out. The factory leather included the leather-wrapped steering wheel as well as leather-match arm rests and console cover. I haven't noticed any discomfort due to temperatures - some leather in times past was freezing in winter and scorching in summer.

In Texas, most leather shops can do the job on a Prius for about $1,200. If you have side airbags, you need to be sure the leather installation provides for seatback mounted airbags to properly deploy - I believe this requires a different stitching in that specific area. Hope you find a good shop in chitown.

When i bought my prius last week it had cloth in there and they took those out and put heated leather seats in for me. They said that the seats were technically camary seats but they fit in the prius. I don't know if this is true or not but I have to say that they match my gray interior perfectly and am very happy with them. They charged me 1,800 that is including installation.

Why is this thread in the Prius and Hybrid News forum?