1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Anyone else miss beige interiors? :(

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Main Forum' started by priusmouse, Dec 15, 2022.

  1. priusmouse

    priusmouse Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2022
    253
    84
    0
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    I’m in the market for a new prius and cant really wait any longer. I was really hoping to get a beige interior with the wind chill pearl exterior. There don’t seem ti be any beige interior options for the ‘23. Did I miss something?

    Now I feel like I shoukd have just gotten the 22 ;(
     
    JoeBlack and bisco like this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,133
    50,050
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    black seems to be the de facto interior color for awhile now.

    i prefer grey or beige, depending on body color. i'd even go with red or white over black.
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,675
    39,222
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I don’t think beige is popular, likely because it’s tough to keep clean. Our last car was beige interior, and even in some “high traffic” zones; arm rests for example: beige, flocked fabric. It was nigh impossible to keep them from getting grungy.

    Darker colours and wipe-to-clean for the frequent contact zones, that’s my preference.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Dec 15, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2022
    moonmist likes this.
  4. bat4255

    bat4255 2017 Prius v #2 and 2008 Gen II #2

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2007
    659
    262
    0
    Location:
    Dodge Co. Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    To me, black makes the interior feel smaller.

    I had a car with black and it was hotter in summer, and I felt like I had less car.
     
    douglasjre and bisco like this.
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,024
    16,242
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Yup. Black interiors are boring because manufacturers take it as an opportunity to make it monotone. The Gen 4 has some silver or chrome trim to break it up (and bone white china which apparently was hated by a lot of people. But I liked it for the contrast).

    In older luxury cars, black with wood trim have it a warmer feeling (not as much as beige with wood trim) but today, black on non luxury cars usually include no trim or piano black which just makes the interior feel cheap.

    White is nice but it’s much harder than beige to keep clean. Beige just becomes darker beige. White becomes grey or black with dirt and it looks worse imo.

    Compromise is a light grey? Or medium grey?
     
  6. E-GINO

    E-GINO Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2009
    194
    206
    2
    Location:
    Rome, Italy
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    N/A
    2017' Prime in my country came with just one trim, solar roof and black fabric interiors.I hate black interiors, so during the first trip to the US I did ,shortly after the Prime purchase, I've got Clazzio seat covers, light grey (leather and suede). 500 bucks, but well spent...after more than 4 years, they look still the same, even tough I never cleaned them.
     
    Maxwell61 likes this.
  7. hyhi

    hyhi Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2010
    163
    48
    0
    Location:
    fl
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    My 2016 IV had black fake leather, a first for me going with black interior. Was that off shared of green color…which I still sort of love when though the prius was sold.
    Had dark window tint that helped though I sort of liked the black color…not something I would normally have said before owning the car. Maybe cause it was so small it did not bug me as much…plus that window tint really helped in FL
     
  8. JoeBlack

    JoeBlack Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2021
    108
    87
    0
    Location:
    Europe
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius PHV
    Model:
    N/A
    Yeah, I will miss it as well - light grey (or beige?) interior in my 2021 with grey seats, and it is really nice, it makes it more roomy and less hot in the summer.
    Sadly, 2023 can be only equipped with grey seats, and it has a grey ceiling / glass roof that will bring some light inside.
     
  9. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    7,430
    6,915
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    The availability of a light interior color is, to date, the one and only feature that has gotten me to open my wallet for a higher trim level.
     
  10. priusmouse

    priusmouse Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2022
    253
    84
    0
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    Its not even on higher trims this year unless im mistaken? Not even a leather option
     
  11. Maxwell61

    Maxwell61 Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2012
    392
    239
    0
    Location:
    Italy
    Vehicle:
    2024 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XSE Premium
    Ciao E-Gino,
    You've made my day with that Clazzio quote, i'm going for the 2023, which of course we'll get only on black interior, and it was my only complain. I'm seeing there's also a chance to glue neatly some leather on the hard plastic upper part of the doors, that looks very cheap and hard plastic. Do you plan buying the 2023 PHEV?

    https://images.cars.com/cldstatic/wp-content/uploads/toyota-prius-prime-2023-24-interior-door.jpg
     
  12. priusmouse

    priusmouse Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2022
    253
    84
    0
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    Ugh what an ugggly door. Looks like a cheap taxi. I might be in the minority but I just hate black car interiors. Hate it with a passion.

    from my perspective the “keeping it clean” argument applies the opposite way. Only a cheap taxi needs to worry about keeping their car clean because of obnoxious passengers doing stupid things.

    For people who own their car and only share it with civilized friends and family, what on earth are you doing that’s so dirty that you need a door that looks like that to hide your dirt? Like endless smoking and pizza and hookers? Lol what are you guys doing?
     
    Maxwell61 and bisco like this.
  13. par_struggle

    par_struggle Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2011
    44
    36
    0
    Location:
    nv.us
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    what on earth are you doing that’s so dirty that you need a door that looks like that to hide your dirt? Like endless smoking and pizza and hookers?

    I mean, not yet, but a guy can hope?

    Also, they'll probably require more than anchovies to be tempted, but I guess all that money saved on gas has to go somewhere...
     
  14. E-GINO

    E-GINO Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2009
    194
    206
    2
    Location:
    Rome, Italy
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello Maxwell61. About Clazzio interiors, I have to note that since EU 2017’ Prime back headrests size differs from US version, in which back headrest are taller, I had to make some adaption to headrest covers, as I had to do with my previously owned Gen III Prius equipped too with Clazzio interiors. However, it’s nothing that a good upholsterer can’t fix.

    That said, I am not planning to buy the new Prime, mainly because I do not see Improvements in 2023’ Prius Prime which would make the deal convenient.

    Anyway, should I be forced to replace my two current vehicles (I have also an old Lexus RX450h which I need for my trailer having the RX towing capability) I’d go for the RAW 4 Prime instead: towing capability, all wheels drive, larger traction battery and a lot more roomy..
     
    hill and Maxwell61 like this.
  15. slowmachine

    slowmachine Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2010
    69
    70
    0
    Location:
    Alton, NH
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I strongly prefer black leather (or synthetic semi-equivalent) over all others. The smooth surface allows easy wiggling around without clothing clinging to the surface and uncomfortably twisting around your body. Black hides stains, especially blue jean dye transfer. Many new car dealers have a source for aftermarket leather upholstery, and will include it in the purchase price of the car. There will always be a delay in availability for new models, so the first ones off the lot won't have that option available. A Toyota dealer near me has a Tacoma with leather already installed, waiting for purchase. Katzkin has leather upholstery for the current Prius models, and their authorized installers can install seat heaters along with the upholstery.
     
    daisy555 likes this.
  16. E-GINO

    E-GINO Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2009
    194
    206
    2
    Location:
    Rome, Italy
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    N/A
    A sorry thing that seat covers cannot fix is the dark ceiling. Unfortunately, the gloomy "dark cockpit" concept apparently is spreading among all Toyota and Lexus new make.
     
    Maxwell61 likes this.
  17. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,872
    1,871
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    My wife hated the beige interior of our 2004 Prius. When we bought out new cars, They had to have dark interior or it was no sale. She wanted them to be red and her Subaru Crosstek came with a light interior so we had it redone in black leather.

    JeffD
     
  18. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2015
    1,406
    588
    0
    Location:
    CT
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I’m someone who can’t deal with beige. Wish I was in the position to afford switching out softex for leather. My biggest concern is the steering wheel. Can an installer switch out softex for leather steering wheel?

    love my 2009 with leather.
     
  19. Hammersmith

    Hammersmith Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2021
    1,558
    1,557
    0
    Location:
    North Dakota - USA
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius
    Model:
    Limited AWD-e
    The ceilings are light gray in all Prius trims/interiors. Dash level is the split line. Everything above dash level is light gray*, everything at dash level and below is black/very dark gray(except the seats themselves in the light gray interior package).


    *with the exception of the B-pillars until they meet the roofline
     
    E-GINO likes this.
  20. syncro87

    syncro87 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2016
    33
    54
    0
    Location:
    City of Fountains, USA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    If you’re interested in why interior color choices are so limited these days, read “Car, a Drama…” by Mary Walton. Very interesting book that covers a lot of how and why decisions are made when developing a vehicle. I think some of the folks here would like it.

    On the beige question, not for me. Probably my least favorite interior choice. Strongly prefer black or charcoal, but interior color is subjective, and plenty of folks probably like beige.