Whats the difference in the 04-05 seats than the 2006-09 seats?

'04 to '09 should be the same. i think '05+ had side impact airbags but i'm not sure. it was optional in '04, '05.

covers will be labeled if they are compatible with seat mounted side impact airbags. some have flaps, some have easy tear material. read carefully. install correctly

 

I believe 05+ have a different sensor in the passenger seat and so have extra wiring underneath. The actual seat is the same.

 

There definitely are differences between the 04-05 and 06-09.

The Toyota parts catalog shows different OEM seat covers for the 04-05 and 06-09, and I understand that the differences go beyond different colors (different tan and grey for the 04-05 and the 06-09).

But what those differences are, I don't know for sure. I heard that the 06-09 rear seat was lower than the 04-05. But I haven't heard of any other substantive differences. I can tell you that Bartlett Corporation, which makes leather seat covers, said that the ones they made for the 06-09 Prius will NOT fit on the 04-05 Prius. But, those were reupholstery covers. For covers that just go over the existing upholstery (especially those that go somewhat loosely over the existing upholstery), while there are differences between the two groups of model years, the differences should matter less.

 

http://priuschat.com/forums/knowled...andard-optional-equipment-some-countries.html

 

The 2004 2005 interior tan color was called Ivory and should be lighter than the bisque color in the 2006 2009.

 

I have a 05 I put in 07 seats. On passenger side I had to set it up so the seat occupied switch was jumped "ON" and therefore the seat belt needs to be kept buckled, even when no one is sitting there. I transferred my seat belt clips from my old seats. The drivers seat was more compatible. I did not use the more extensive wiring in the newer seat, but all I needed to make it work was there....I again transferred my old seat belt clip, from old 2005 seat, to make it work. Otherwise the 2007 fit my 2005. So with some creative work...you can make the newer seats work in a 2005. I do not think you could reverse this...without extensive and tricky work to make the newer 2007 system electronics, seat occupied and weight metering work with the older seat.