Fabric vs Sensatec- thoughts, opinions, comparisons ...

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luke1215

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Fabric vs Softex- thoughts, opinions, comparisons ...

Hey, all. Have a deposit on a '15 Pro Inferno at MSRP, but while awaiting arrival have been considering a TE or TEP, which another dealer is offering at invoice and considerable savings from the Pro (~$5-7k). The main question for me currently is the seat material- feel like I've searched the entire web for comparisons and reviews of Softex vs Fabric/Cloth interior, but mostly found information on Prius forums.

Curious to hear thoughts, opinions or comparisons from anyone here has owned or researched both in a 5th Gen 4R. Finally looked at a TEP and an SR5/Cloth this weekend and am now on the fence. I've had cloth in previous Toyotas and loved them in my E46 M3- breathable, unbreakable and a cool pattern/contrast. But, I'm surprisingly partial to the Softex seats at this point- felt slightly more comfortable/padded and had an upscale feel.

Anyway, this is really a first world crisis, but just looking to be swayed in one direction or the other. Thanks in advance!
 
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luke1215 said:
Hey, all. Have a deposit on a '15 Pro Inferno at MSRP, but while awaiting arrival have been considering a TE or TEP, which another dealer is offering at invoice and considerable savings from the Pro (~$5-7k). The main question for me currently is the seat material- feel like I've searched the entire web for comparisons and reviews of Sensatec vs Fabric/Cloth interior, but mostly found information on Prius forums.

Curious to hear thoughts, opinions or comparisons from anyone here has owned or researched both in a 5th Gen 4R. Finally looked at a TEP and an SR5/Cloth this weekend and am now on the fence. I've had cloth in previous Toyotas and loved them in my E46 M3- breathable, unbreakable and a cool pattern/contrast. But, I'm surprisingly partial to the Sensatec seats at this point- felt slightly more comfortable/padded and had an upscale feel.

Anyway, this is really a first world crisis, but just looking to be swayed in one direction or the other. Thanks in advance!
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it's curious to me that you've "searched the entire web for comparisons and reviews of the Sensatec" and yet that search has failed to clarify that the material is called SofTex. you couldn't have found much useful information. :confused:

SofTex is also now standard on both the SR5 Premium and Trail Premium, so it's certainly no reason to buy the Pro, if that's what you're saying.
 
sandcrawler said:
it's curious to me that you've "searched the entire web for comparisons and reviews of the Sensatec" and yet that search has failed to clarify that the material is called SofTex. you couldn't have found much useful information. :confused:

SofTex is also now standard on both the SR5 Premium and Trail Premium, so it's certainly no reason to buy the Pro, if that's what you're saying.
Click to expand...

Sorry, that's the BMW moniker- Sensatec. Been with BMW for a long time, old habits die hard. My apologies.

No, not buying the Pro to get Softex. Just curious if anyone had anything to share on their experiences with either the Fabric or Softex seat material. Thanks.
 
luke1215 said:
Sorry, that's the BMW moniker- Sensatec. Been with BMW for a long time, old habits die hard. My apologies.

No, not buying the Pro to get Softex. Just curious if anyone had anything to share on their experiences with either the Fabric or Softex seat material. Thanks.
Click to expand...
i get it. no sweat.

i don't have first-hand experience with SofTex, but can say that i've been extremely happy with the water-resistant cloth in my Trail. no complaints.
 
I've had both. A '12 TE with fabric and a '15 SR5 with Softex. I now prefer the Softex over both fabric and leather. It's a great material for my lifestyle. It's easier to clean than both fabric and leather. I mountain bike almost every day and when you get in after a rainy muddy ride no matter how well you clean off at the trail head you still drag mud, sweat and water into the vehicle. It also does not seem to get as hot as the leather in my wife's vehicle. Although I know it can be torn or ripped I have forgotten a wrench in my back pocket a time or two and even though you jump right out after you realize it I still haven't ripped it yet. It looks good too!
 
I love my Softex! For 5-7k I would strongly consider a TEP/SR5P over the Pro and do the mods that you want or fund an IRA for the year :)
 
1engineer said:
I've had both. A '12 TE with fabric and a '15 SR5 with Softex. I now prefer the Softex over both fabric and leather. It's a great material for my lifestyle. It's easier to clean than both fabric and leather. I mountain bike almost every day and when you get in after a rainy muddy ride no matter how well you clean off at the trail head you still drag mud, sweat and water into the vehicle. It also does not seem to get as hot as the leather in my wife's vehicle. Although I know it can be torn or ripped I have forgotten a wrench in my back pocket a time or two and even though you jump right out after you realize it I still haven't ripped it yet. It looks good too!
Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks. Salesman claimed Softex doesn't get as hot as leather, but, well ... he's a salesman.

Engineer said:
I love my Softex! For 5-7k I would strongly consider a TEP/SR5P over the Pro and do the mods that you want or fund an IRA for the year :)
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. With the TEP, it would be a difference of $4.5k, which is more than enough for some new wheels, TRD fascia, lift, etc. Only thing is the Inferno color- it draws me in like an insect to a bright light. :wow:
 
Also have Softex in my SR5P...........I love it for all reasons stated above.
Drove 900 miles last August from Louisiana to So. Fla in one day and only taking the usual stops, never a issue with them being hot and sweaty!
That's saying a lot living in south Louisiana!

Hope this helps.........
 
luke1215 said:
Sorry, that's the BMW moniker- Sensatec. Been with BMW for a long time, old habits die hard. My apologies.

No, not buying the Pro to get Softex. Just curious if anyone had anything to share on their experiences with either the Fabric or Softex seat material. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I've had all three and I'm so old we would have called SensaTec(Leatherette) and SofTex vinyl back in the day. They generally wear better and are easier to clean than leather, and they're less expensive. Me, I went back to fabric with the Trail and will probably pick up a set of Wet Okoles before the end of the year.
 
I've had my 2014 TEP for 1.5 years now and have seen temps from 110 degrees to 14 degrees or so. In hot temps, I have found the softex to breathe nicely and my back doesn't get sweaty. In cold temps, it warms up quickly with the seat warmers. I've never had leather before, but my last 4Runner had cloth seats and I very much prefer softex. Also, I enjoy using the seat warmers even in warm weather if my back is a bit sore and I'm on a long drive. They are very soothing. :)
 
I love the SofTex seats in my SR5P. They're practical, they wear well,they're easy to clean, they look great in Sand Beige, and they're comfortable - I really can't think of a downside to them.

FWIW, I've also got the Sensatec in my BMW and am happy I went with that over leather. The seats require minimal care and they still look brand new 5 years later. I expect the SofTex to be the same - it seems to be very high quality to me. And it really improves the feel of the entire cabin, IMO. Feels sort of utilitarian and a little upscale at the same time.
 
had softex in my 2011, hated it, traded it in for cloth and will be getting Katzkin. Softex wore strange and held watermarks.... and just looked cheap
 
I am from Iowa so completely different climate from you, but our hot summer sun bakes the polymers out of many plastics and the cold winters can crack them after a few years. That and sliding onto icy seats in the winter made me choose cloth. Leather is OK, but I have seen too many problems over the years with plastics.
 
So far I've been pretty happy with the softex in my '15. Time will tell how long it lasts. It's easy to clean! That's my #1 goal. When I bought my TEP I wanted a base trail and had intended to put aftermarket heated leather in it. I simply couldn't get the one I wanted without a long wait, so I bought a TEP. The only thing I don't like about them is that they only come in black. I would much prefer a medium to light grey interior to keep the heat down.
 
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