Hey guys, just got my Katzkin leather kit installed in my 2010 Prius III and wanted to share the results with PC so I shot a quick video. If you have any questions, please ask. Enjoy. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtk99Ig-iAM]YouTube - 2010 Toyota Prius With Katzkin Leather Interior[/ame]
You said that you paid 1200 more for the leather interior. Couldn't you have applied that 1200 and some change for a IV? you'd get original leather, heated seats, lumbar support, 3 door SKS, safety connect, and rain repellent front windows.
I guess, but other than original leather and maybe the 3 door SKS, I was not really interested in heated seats, lumbar support, safety connect and rain repellent front windows. Since I live in sunny Miami, I chose the Solar Package instead.
The difference between a III and a IV is $2,800. 2800-1200 = 1600 more for the extras you listed sounds like a poor deal to me. The reason I got a II instead of a IV is all the extra crap I didn't want but would have had to pay for to get the extra or 2 that I actually did want. Having seen Katzkin and the factory leather up close, they both look good, but I wouldn't say the factory leather was the better of the two. For better or worse, with the Katzkin you are actually sitting on leather. On the factory seats you are sitting in plastic coated leather, just like most new cars with factory leather. Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages.
Wow, this looks great!! I'm interested in doing this on my 2010 Prius II, and appreciate the video showing fit/finish -- I'd called my Toyota dealer and was also quoted $1200 (they said it included leather upholstery & heated seats). It'll be my next Prius improvement, I had remote engine start installed a few weeks ago and love it (getting frosty here in CT). Quick question: Did you need to specify Katzkin when you called your Toyota dealer, or is that Toyota's preferred provider for leather upholstery? Also love the lighted door sills by the way. Where did you get them (& did you install them yourself?)
If it's Katzkin, they have several options that are worth considering that the Toyota dealer may or may not tell you about. I went with perforated leather in the center of the seating area and liqui-cell (gel pads) in the drivers and front passengers seat. The perforated leather should be more comfortable in hot weather, whether it is or not it looks good. The gel pads in the front seat seating area are gel filled pads about 1/2 inch thick that distribute the pressure on your butt parts better. I'm convinced mine work and don't think it's just the $100/seat that was removed from my wallet making me more comfortable.
You definitely have more options with Katzkin leather. You have color choices, piping, perforated, heated seats, liqui-cell, how much leather content. The standard leather that is on the IV and V have more leather content than the standard leather Katzkin package. It is apparent in the rear seats where the Katzkin leather is only the inserts. With the standard Toyota leather more of the rear seat is covered in leather.
That's why I opted for the premium content on my Katzkins. I got the full seating surface in the rear in leather. IIRC, it wasn't cheap, about $150 extra.
I did not need to specify that I wanted Katzkin, that was my dealer's provider. They had dozens of colors to pick from. I went with charcoal since that was the factory color of the fabric it came with. The door sills were also installed by the dealer for $60. Thanks for watching by the way.
There are many many Katzkin threads - use the search... autointeriorslive.com usually has sales - many times giving premium (Tuscany) leather at the lower grade price. Depending on sale and installer, price ranges from $1000 - $1100+. The leather (and typically installers) are the same ones Toyota uses when it is added at the dealership. You also can choose from many colors (to give contrast) - I had a dark grey interior, so I put in lt grey. 1 yr ago, I had a lt grey interior, so I chose drk grey leather... I avoided perforations on both installs (the rational being our Lexus has no perforations - more durable, less cleaning issues). It takes a good install shop ~2 hours to put in - it's fun to watch them tear out your interior, then put it all back.
Wow sound good and I am tempted - any good installer in the Bay area. Toyota dealer there tried to rip me off with $1600. Any one install heated seats as well? Is it worth it and safe? Thanks for your advice