Katzkin vs Clazzio - one more time

It depends on what you want. If you want legitimate leather seats, get the Katzkin. If you just want "ok looking" "leather" seat covers then get the Clazzio. I bought the Clazzios and am going to either return them or put them on eBay.

My Clazzio's came in the light gray color. Color looked phenomenal, but when I put them on, the fit and finish was entirely too poor. There were wrinkles, bulges, and inconsistencies. The drivers seat fit really well but the passenger seat fit poorly. On both driver and passenger seat there was about a 1.5" "space" in the thoracic/lumbar region of the back. Basically, the seat doesn't "adhere" to the region of the seat where your back goes. So when you sit in the seat you can feel the clazzio seat cover on your back, then your back travels another 1.5" into the seat. Basically it feels super cheap.

If you just want seat covers and don't want factory looking leather seats, then the Clazzio's will suit you. But I just felt weird with them in.

I'm going to have a shop custom make leather seats - I want to do it the right way.

 

One advantage is they can add padding to the lumbar region, or an electric lumbar bladder if you like. You also have basically unlimited options on colors (single or multi-) and on same or contrasting piping. You can add pleats or something if you like for a true custom look.

 

I have to agree with this. I have them and the fit ain't the best. I think I expected better. I really like the covers (not leather) I found at AutoZone for 30 dollars.

 

oops

 

Here is one of the main problems with the Clazzio seats. Look at the factory seats on the left and the Clazzio on the right. The stock seat pattern curves down, and the Clazzio curves the opposite way. They will never get a factory fit and finish like that (making up their own lines.)

My upholstery guy said he could add velcro and pads and make it fit a little better, but I just decided to do it the right way - that is full reupholstery of the seats, door panels, and center console. Should be awesome! I'm doing two tone gray. My appointment is for Sept 14th, so I hope it all turns out well!

 

A small question;
We`re planning on going with Clazzio, went to their showroom, checked out all the models on different cars, etc...

Is there only one design available outside of Japan? I highly doubt it, but it seems sort of like it from talk on here.
I was very impressed with the fit of some of their styles, not so much with some of the others. Different models and different levels had a distinctly different fit. The lower end covers were complete and total crap, but the top was great. Between the ends it varied.
We plan to order lower quality for the back, top of the line for the front. (No point in buying nice punched leather for back seats we want to protect from a child.)

 

How did your appointment go? and if you don't mind me asking; what was the price range of having the full reupholstery done?

 

My experience with the Clazzios were great. I am super satisfied with fit and finish. I got mine directly from the USA distributor her in SoCal. Before ordering I checked out their demo 2010 prius which looked perfect. My install looks the same. For those that are not happy with their fit and finish, did you get them off eBay?

 

I was in Tustin Toyota (SoCal) and saw the Claszzio cover. I am wondering whether it's real leather. Can you verify?
The dealer will sell it for $450 and can have factory installer install it for $85.

 

The middle perforated part is leather but the sides are not. 450+85 sounds like a good deal. Make sure it's for the 2010 not a previous year.

 

Thanks for your reply.
The reason I suspect it's leather or not was because I can't smell the leather from the demo material. Real cowhide should have that unique smell only real leather has. I want to have them installed because the rear bench must be taken out to install the cover.

 

Honestly $85 seems like a very fair rice for the installation.

 

Sounds like you did it yourself. How difficult to install?
Is yours 2 tone color?
Any complaint?
I think the U.S. distributor, Eleven.com is in Torrance, CA. I should pay them a visit during my lunch hour.
Thanks.

 

Yes I did it myself. It wasn't too bad. The front covers go on very easy . It's the back that takes the most time. It took me about 4 hours but if I did it again it would take about 2 I think. My covers are one color (gray) see this post http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ns/67105-gen-iii-seat-cover-3.html#post932187
I went to the Torrance warehouse before I bought because I didn't know if I wanted gray or black and Masahiro let me have some swatches to lay see which would look better. I had to make an appointment to see him as he is in and out a lot. If you do go there take a look at their Blizzard 2010 and you'll see how nice they look once they are installed.

 

It looks like we are in the same area. Maybe you can help me installing the cover and see if you can get it done under 2 hours.
Thanks for your info.

 

Not to be rude or anything but it's not really my idea of fun. Sorry. Let me know if you get stuck on anything and I'll try to help. It's not hard, just time consuming. Take your time, don't rush and you'll be rewarded with a better fit.

 

Honestly, if you want perfect fitment I'd recommend getting an upholstery shop to do you a custom leather job. I did that and mine is flawless. Not a single wrinkle, nothing. It looks like two tone leather from the factory, except better quality materials, with the option of getting a little bit more padding sewn in, etc.

Also, our seats are actually rather complicated. I mean on the inside of the upholstery. There are all sorts of belts and weird little things that are under the upholstery. My upholstery guy sewed the seats to have all the same things that make the seats fit flawlessly. He said there were about 25 things he had to sew in and showed them to me, whereas on normal seats there are about 10-15. This is all "behind the scenes" stuff that you don't see when the seats are on, but they are all things that contribute to the flawless fitment of leather seats.

A custom upholstery job is the most expensive option, but it's the best.