The low, uneven, and hard armrests are driving me crazy. Has anybody had these raised (2" console, 3" door), leveled, and softened? If so...how much did it cost? I'd love a shop in Grand Rapids or Lansing, Michigan, but figure that is quite a long-shot!
I have found it odd that the door armrest is so much lower than the center console armrest. Kind of a weird design choice.
It definitely is a shame that this happened on such a great car. However, many people just resort to a folded cloth on either of the armrests (console/door) to provide for ample comfort. Other than that, I'm not aware of any actual solutions to have them permanently raised/softened. Good luck, and let us know if you find a better solution!
I guess I assum a good upholsterer could craft a remedy. I've read here about people doing it to the center console, and although the door armrest would be trickier it should still be doable. I'm planning several longish trips in the next few years. I'd pay to have this done, but want it done right. Probably 2" added to the center console, and 3" to the door armrest, with the proper density foam. Heck, if the shop was clever enough, they might be able to fashion a full length 1" tray, with dividers, under the new console cover!
My only complaint about the interior our Prius is the arm rests on the center console and door are really hard, and especially noticeable on a long trip. One of these days I'll take the car to an upholstery shop and have them make a couple of integrated 1/2" foam pads. Keith
The leather interior of the Four and Five trims doesn't have hard center console and door armrests. I've, however, been reluctant to use them too much after seeing how someone burned a hole in an Infiniti from chronic arm resting.
I have a III and my elbow is killing me! Hardest non existing arm platform (certainly not a 'rest') I've ever had in a car. I use a folded towel and am thinking of either building up multiple layers of 3mm 'foamies' that they sell at Jo-Ann's and cover it with black marine vinyl (to match my newly recovered center armrest cover) or cut a piece of foam from that kneeling foam that they sell at HD and Lowes and cover that. Don't know if that'll work, but we'll see; not exactly cool driving around with a nice new car with a towel on the arm platform..... I've seen someone who sells an aftermarket armrest, but can't find it right now. If I do, I'll add it to this post....
When installing katzkin I hot glued some 3 inch memory foam under the center console. It's on my 2012 but was a 2010 kit so I had to trim a bit of the leather back but that extra space allowed for memory foam and now I don't have any discomfort. Quite happy with the results. And I got the katzkin cheap because its for a 10/11
I installed a pleather(fake leather) on my center armrest & feel it is better cushioned than the thin stock fabric that it replaced.
there is also no door sill where the window retracts into the door. No endge to put you elbow on. I have asoft towel stuffed in my door handle pocket so my leg isnt up against the hard plastic. this car wasnt for a 6 foot male.
