SofTex or Leather?

I didn't like the feel of the softec and next month I will be getting my base package plug in cloth seats replaced with leather . . .

 

Let me know how the leather replacement of the moth goes. I am considering it, I cannot stand the static charge generated from the cloth. It is very uncomfortable.

 

I just pick up my PiP and don't like to softex. My rear end started to burn after sitting for a while. I also like the slippery from the leather so I can easily adjust my butt, but the softex has too much grip and you kind of like stuck in the seat.
I'd like to know how much is the cost for dealer installation. currently looking at the two tones with perforated leather. One member here had it installed at Carson CA. They look exact like the one at Katzkin/s website, however, the member stated he only pay $1200, but Katzkin's web price are about $2500!
Any advice?

 

Carson Toyota will install top-grain leather for around $1,200. 2-tone and perforated may be a bit more. The leather upgrade is also guaranteed for life. They even put the leather on your doors and the center arm rest. I had plain black installed throughout and I'm extremely pleased on how it looks. It looks better than the SoftTex that's in my sister's '12 Pruis IMO.

 

I just wanted to update everyone, if you were still wondering or looking for another opinion. I got the cloth seats in my 2012 Prius Three replaced with the special ordered softex material and had heated seats installed at the same time (about $1750). I got dark grey softex and the exterior is Nautical Blue, I think it looks pretty good. I expected it to not match at all but it actually matches a lot of the darker colors in the car's interior pretty well.

My Mom came into town for a weekend visit and she is allergic to "fake leather" (or so she said) and she had no problems at all with the seats.

Unlike an earlier comment, I don't feel like the seats are all that different than leather as my wife has a Mazda 5 with leather interior and both feel very similar. At first I felt like the seat didn't breathe enough but after a few more trips I feel like the seats are very comfortable. Looking forward to the winter now, not for any reason but to give the heated seats a real test.

 

Why oh why would you pay MORE for softex (FAKE) leather than real leather? PLEASE explain that to me in a way I can wrap my brain around it?

On that note, I am finally getting my own seats done on my new PHEV - my seaglass baby will have a EC/Homelink mirror plus the 2-tone leather, perf... soon!

 

We would have loved leather, I guess only avail in the Prius V in Canada. I think they were trying to move to a more green solution? Anyway, dd spilled some sort of sugary drink in the car. She tried to pour from one bottle to her cup to "share" with sister. Sweet thought but also sweet mess. Then, mommy brain I forgot about it for 2 days. A little dawn dish washing liquid with warm water cleaned the softex no problem. Only a week in but very happy!

 

OK guys this thread needs pics... Leather, softex, whatever, let's see your seats! I'm thinking of swapping to softex...

 

I second the request for anyone who got katzkin to post their pictures. Swanny I am pretty sure you can't get softex.

 

Softex is NOT an option.
His dealer is adding aftermarket fake leather (we call it pleather) ... and just not telling him the details, that's all.
It would be like someone wanting me to add seat heaters and them assuming that they are Toyota factory, which of course they can't be.

 

So here are pictures of my Silver Base Prius Plugin with Katzkin leather.
All the dealers in the SF Bay Area uses this shop: Coach Automotive Restyling of Northern California - Union City, CA

Cost: $1,600

You can spec out your color preferences here: | KATZKIN SEAT COLOR SELECTOR |

My specs are:

Style: Body
Wrap Color: Dark Graphite
Accent Color: Charcoal
Perforation: Body

I would give my color choices a 9/10 -- I wish the Charcoal was a tiny bit lighter, but the next closest color (light gray) was too light.

The installation job is 6/10 -- there are a lot of wrinkles, especially when I sat down on the driver seat. The shop is always very busy, and I just felt like they rush through my install and did not do a quality control check at the end.

But I reserve my lowest rating 5/10 for the actual Katzkin leather. If you look closely at the stichting, the cut is not straight and the stichting is uneven. It also does not perfectly fit to the form of the car seats. A lot of people on here rave about Katzkin, but I actually found it to be a bit disappointing.

Overall, I am satisfied with the way it looks, because there really is no other choice for SF Bay Area people.

 

I am pretty handy and would like to do my own install. Does anyone know if you can add the factory cloth seats back on after this? My thinking is, I commute and only the drivers seat gets worn, so I may just convert the front 2 seats to leather. No one ever uses the back. Then when I want to sell the car I just convert it back to cloth and it looks brand new. Will this work? Or will the leather hold up and be worth more in 5 years?

 

If you want to go the SofTex you can look on eBay for a set when they swap it out for leather. But, at that point I would just go with leather.

The SofTex is to soft and not as resistant to tears and punctures. My rear center armrest already has some tears from a friend sliding her luggage across the back seat. I'm going to take it to an upholstery shop to be wrapped in vinyl.

2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID FACTORY SOFTEX TRIMMED SEAT COVERS TAKE-OFFS | eBay

 

Photos please!?

 

I had a 2010 Prius V so it had the factory leather. I now have a 2012 PIP Advance Tech which has the SofTex. In my opinion, either one is fine, as long as its not cloth its good! I do like how the SofTex is two-tone, that makes it look more high-end.

 

From my recollection - cloth seats were considered cheap in the 60's -vinyl was upscale - my father's '69 Dodge Coronet came with
Vinyl bench seats with Fabric inserts - Then fabric becomes upscale again -in the 70's and 80's fabric was the upscale trim. Leather is introduced as a luxury item such as on the Toyota Supra.

I have my first Prii with Softex - I like it - but it does get hot in the summer - and, I imagine cold in the winter - I like that you can sort of slide in and out of the car easily. BTW - The last time I looked, the Avlalon still came with Leather.

I was surfing the net and saw an article on the new Rolls Royce SUV. That got me thinking if the Rolls has Softex or Leather

BTW - how much weight is really saved by using
Softex over Leather? I'd guess 1 lb. or 2. maybe...

 

OK, it's been 5 years since your post. I'm curious- how did you make out with your trade? I'm guessing that re-installing the original cloth seats would be the way to go.