Prius III but with Leather upgrade...mistake?

Nobody on earth except a few of us nerds on this forum are going to notice. The colors are exactly the same, and even in a lot of pictures it's hard to tell what surfaces are leather and what are cloth, including the seats.

What's more important is you'll notice all the money you saved. Put some of that money into getting 17" wheels and tires (maybe add heaters in the seats if you have cold mornings) and everyone who bought a IV will be jealous and everyone who bought a V will feel robbed.

 

I had port installed leather on my 06 Gen II for 3 1/2 years with no problems. I had the dealer install matching center and side vinyl arm rest covers with no problems there either.

 

I do know that the port-installed leather does not include the door panels. Those will remain fabric. I got to see them both next to each other, and I can't say that either one really stood out as being superior to the other.

 

OH, I was thinking to get the leather upgrade if I get the Prius III since I thought even the door panel will be leather too. If that is the case, then I might change my mind and get the IV instead of the III.

 

I seriously doubt that

 

I bought a Prius II which, of course, has no leather. I had after market
leather installed with heated front seats for $1,600. Door panels and
arm rest also leather covered. Beautiful job. These leather kits
are really perfect.

 

I am picking up a Blue III (with DARK gray interior which was a hunt) next weekend and will wait a bit to decide on the leather upgrade. I probably will skip it since I am getting a Resist All protection package that includes new seat replacement option if stains don't come out. I know a lot of people think they are a waste of $ but I had it on last two cars and never had to wax them for 4+ years (even living in Boise). The $599, which includes undercoating, is worth it to me...as long as its a national guaranty (not just the local dealer). Back to your leather questions - a couple of the local dealers said that when their outside vendor does it, ALL cloth parts are changed including the area on the door above the armrest. You don't have to use the dealer you are buying the car from...almost any dealer will tell you who they use (hoping for your service bus), so then call them direct and compare! I have been quoted $1,000 to $1,400 up here for leather depending on heated or not.

 

Count me in as well. I, too bought a Prius III and did the aftermarket leather.

Cost was $1200 (no heated seats) and it looks just like factory leather. Not only do the seats get matched, but so does the center console arm rest and door panels.

Sorry, but $2600 for package IV was too much especially if I was primarily interested in the leather.

 

Did your after market job use all leather or leather "match" in the areas on side etc.? I have priced the job at a couple of places and both have said don't bother using leather "everywhere" even if I do one grade better. Thus, sides and part of back would be match but console, doors, etc. would be leather? Thanks!

 

A forum member criticized Toyota for not doing the Prius IV and V leather "everywhere," despite the fact it's not a Lexus and it doesn't distract from the feel and enjoyment of having a leather interior. So it really boils down to costs and your expectation. Are you trying to keep costs low or are you expecting better than factory quality?

The cheapest aftermarket leather will look worse than factory, as it won't have the perforated centers nor the door panel inserts and/or console done in leather. The best aftermarket leather "everywhere" may rival even those found in Lexus and will be pricey.

 

Hei:

I live in Europe and I have a Prius III with leather option on order. Since the dealer didn't provide too much information, I wonder if someone knows whether factory leather will also include door panels? And what about the center console?

Thanks a lot!

 

I am getting a Prius III with leather upgraded seats.(I wanted a IV but so hard to get!) Do you know if the leather upgrade includes heated seats? or did you have to ask for the heated seat as an extra cost? Where or who did your leather with the heated seat? Thanks for your help!

 

Not a mistake and will cost less and possibly result in better quality leather. The cost should be about $300 to $400 higher for a heated driver seat - not worth it to me where I live. I did specify that in addition to the seats (front and back), the console, wheel, and the doors, had to be leather but other non-used areas will be leather match. I called a couple of dealers (toyota and others since the after market mostly buy seat covers made our of their shop) and asked who they used, not saying I was or would be buying a new car. They told me and I reached out directly. So when I have it done, direct will save me about $400, give me complete control, and have less hands touching it In PDX, for non-heated, one place wanted $2,000 and the other about $1,350. I am going with the lower as both have a better grade of leather than comes factory and I don't need to know that the higher priced shop made them on site. Good luck!

 

Don't forget that the $2600 upgrade includes power lumbar (a huge improvment IMO), 3 door SKS, auto dimming rear view mirror, seat heaters, leather wrapped steering wheel. If you add these to your $1200 leather, you will be much closer to $2600.

John
John

 

I had after-market leather installed on a III. Dealer's price: $1399. However, from what I've seen I believe it's better than the factory version. Center armrest, sides, etc, all match. Only the steering wheel is plastic. I believe it's not economic for the after-market folks to include the steering wheel which is labor intensive.
On another thread on this group I came across "wheelskins". If you can afford an hour or two of your own time, I believe it's worth going the extra step, buying the wheelskin kit and fitting the steering wheel with leather too, The result will be a better leather job overall than you get with a Prius IV.

 

I have a the 2010 Prius IV with leather and the door panels are NOT leather. They appear to be some strange almost foam rubber looking material that I fear will not last very well. I was very surprised when I found this after I got home. The automatic lumbar support is well worth the price when you are short and need comfortable seats. I love the leather seats (misty gray) and they are as comfortable as the ones in my former 4Runner.

 

Hi-
I ordered the Prius IV not just for the leather, but also for the lumbar support and the heated side mirrors (both of which are big items on my 'must have' list.) My dealer had also suggested a leather upgrade to a Prius III. I've seen some aftermarket car upholstry upgrades, having had a suede/leather seat redone for an old 280ZX that I used to own. I couldn't have been more pleased with the result!
So, in answer to your question, NO, you didn't make a mistake. If you like everything else about the car, you'll love the new leather, too. Best of luck.
Jennifer ;0)

 

One of our local dealers does leather interior upgrades that look great. They charge $1800 for leather and heated seats in a camry. I'm thinking of having them do my III. They also did the door panels.