Research & Development|About Us|Toyota Boshoku Corporation I don't see a mention of Ergonomics and Human Factors engineering in R&D descriptions.
Just wanted to do a quick update. The install is holidng pretty well. No issues whatsoever. I like Katzking much better than the factory Softex. Very happy with the upgrade. It has significantly improved internal look and feel of my Prius. Prius III with Katzkin is the way too go. Best bang for the buck. I will do another update later in the year to provide my two cents on seat heaters.
My previous car had real leather seats, and honestly, I like the softex better. It stays cool in the summer and has a luxury soft feel to it. It stays so clean too. Only thing that worries me about softex is that it is a new product and there is no data regarding the long term durability of it.
I have aftermarket perforated leather in mine and it's never really hot. But then again, I have the solar pkg and tinted windows all around.
I have a 2004 Prius with the cloth seats. The vehicle has 209,000 miles on it and the seats hardly look worn. There are no tears or areas that look stressed. My 2013 Prius has the cloth seats and since I am in Florida for six months out of the year it is a must. I absolutely HATE leather in a warm climate.
I'd just like heaters. Cloth or leather isn't really that important. Both have their advantages/disadvantages. If anything, I'd prefer heated cloth, which is quite the rarity. I think Subaru and VW are the only companies that offer it or at least have recently.
Can others confirm that leather feels warm not only in warm climate, but also on 70F type days when sun is out? I don't have leather seats, but a 'genuine leather' seat cover (sure smells like leather too). > When driving home in 70 F weather, sun shining, it may not feel all that hot in the car to upper body, but there is a hot, sweaty feeling between the seat and my legs. Always feel sweaty on back of legs when getting out of car on warmer days. Is this typical for all leathers, even perforated leather which the 2010 / 11 Prius 4 and 5 have??
I get the same problem with cloth seats in the 1991 Camry in hot weather. I have the Clazzios in my Prius and I think they are more comfortable than the cloth. I also think it's a very individual thing, depending on your body's reaction to its environment.
2 year update: Katzskin is the best upgrade I have done to my Prius. Leather is holding pretty well and no issues with the install (Thanks to Lombard Toyota). If you are on the fence about Katzskin conversion to your Prius, just do it; it it totally worth it.
I'm in the same position now @RamesesThe2nd I bought my car a month ago and now regretting the bisque cloth interior. I was going to get Wet Okole seat covers and then saw the Clazzio somewhere. I just read through this thread and now I want to do the Katzskin. Ugh, I don't know what to do anymore. All I know is I want the outside of the seats to be black and the middle portion to be beige. That way both colors still match the rest of the car (dash, glove compartment, sides, etc.).
Dealer installed Katzkin leather. Hard to tell if it's leather seat covers or a complete replacement. Free, courtesy of a computer/salesperson error.
That looks great! I like the silver strip you added to the door panel portion. On the 2010-2011 models with leather trim, the door trim isn't synthetic leather like it typically is on older Toyotas. It looks like vinyl (but doesn't feel as tacky as the vinyl at the top of the front seatbacks - those look cheap).
That looks gorgeous! I want it. That's ideally what I want to match my bisque interior. What did you pay for this, if I may ask?
Sorry , meant to say dealer installed Katzkin leather. Sticker price says it's worth so many $$$$. I have to find the sticker price so I can't say. But at the end, the manager started yelling at his salesperson and when I asked what the problem was, he simply said " we agreed on a price, and that's what the price is". I had a feeling the leather seats came in free and advantage to the buyer.Me