Port-installed Leather - Any Feedback

[cgardnerma]

Hi folks,

Just making the move from my 3rd gen to a 4th gen and found a car I like. I had my heart set on cloth seats, but found a good car at a decent price, with port-installed leather seats. I have never seen them in person and the car is far from me, but wanted to know if any of you have experience with these seats.

They are a combination of smooth leather and perforated suede. I believe they are the same ones offered in the X-SP "bling" plackage by Southeast Toyota Dealers a little while back. This is the only thing I am unsure of with the car, so would love some feedback from anyone who has seen this leather in person, before I hop on a plane. Thanks!

 

[ALLEGRO]

No personal experience, but I bet they are great.

I still don't understand people's dislike of leather seats. I have had them since 1994 in EVERYTHING I drive (even my '89 Volvo 740GL) and will not ever move away. I find them to be very durable, clean up with no sign of spills and actually look better with age. I seldomly treat mine, other than keeping them clean. I just sold a GMC Jimy that I clocked 250,000 miles and even the driver's seat looked great when I got rid of it (Cash for Clunckers) and got my daughter a Nissan Altima.

Oh well, back to your question: I bet you will love them !!

 

[audiqtr]

I don't have any experience with this specific app, but
But my 4R is an Urban Runner, so I have the Leatherette/Suede seats and I love them. You never slip from your seat and I think that's important in an SUV where the seats aren't really made to hold you in place.

 

[tkr128]

I'm pretty sure this kit is manufactured by Bartlett, which is the kit I currently have installed in my 4Runner at the moment. I can't comment on the suede since I have full leather. But, in my experience (I've had a bunch of different kits) the Bartlett is the closest to stock that I have seen. I would say the leather quality is on par with the factory leather. The grain, texture, design and color match almost perfectly. The kits made by Classic Soft Trim and Katzkin are a little better in quality (leather is thicker and more supple) but the design is not as good as the Bartlett. What I mean by design is the way the seams look, stitching, placement of the back pocket on the front seats.

Anyway, I've had my Bartlett kit for about 5 years now and they still look great. I have no tears on any of them. However, the side bolsters on the front seats (the part closest to the bottom in your first picture) get worn easily, so just be a little more gentle entering/exiting the car.

Hope that helps!

 

[RickC]

I have aftermarket leather in my Sport, and I recently bought the factory Sport cloth to replace mine. I don't like the leather because it's cold in the winter and hot in the summer. They are not heated to help with the cold winter which is my biggest complaint. Many people like leather due to it's ease of keeping clean, but I have found even with treating, that the bolsters show wear long before cloth will. My Harley truck did with only 36k miles, and my 4runner is with 61k miles. I like leather, don't get me wrong, but I like the higher quality leathers that wear better and if I have leather, I want them heated.

But looking at the pics your posted, I like that leather/suede hybrid. I bet they are comfortable. I would not let it be a show stopper because you can always find a set of factory cloth seat covers here on the forums.

 

[today]

I have the port installed leather on my 03 Sport. I bought it last November, so its still pretty new to me, but I really like the leather. It has held up great over seven years, and it still looks brand new. I would much rather have the leather than cloth.

 

[ZandT4R]

I have dealer installed leather in my 07 SE, and it is holding up horribly. In hindsight I would stick with the cloth then get an upholstery shop to install katzkin leather later on. I think I'm going to have to do that anyway. That suede doesn't look bad though.

 

[12guns]

How much for an aftermarket leather install? Dealership price? Just curious.

 

[ZandT4R]

Dealer install for me at time of purchase was 1000. Looking at the Katzkin its gonna cost about 1200 for just the covers alone that I want. 2 tone perforated with colored stitching. No idea on install cost yet. Few hundred?

 

[cgardnerma]

Thanks, folks. This is all very helpful.