SofTex - SR5/SR5 Premium

[stormtroopa]

Okay, so I purchased our 4th T4R a few weeks ago ('14). For the last five years, other than owning a '12 T4R for a short period of time, I've driven Volvos. They have the best leather I've experienced. I haven't found that anything else compares.

That being said, my SR5 (not Premium) has cloth seats. I didn't think I wanted SofTex because I thought it was basically vinyl, and would never be as good as what I had in my Volvos.

I feel like I'm losing sleep over the fact that my seats are cloth. Can someone please assure me I made the right decision?! My husband thinks I'm crazy for even worrying about it. I love the T4R other than that.

 

[Plano26]

I hate to say it but I love the softech in my TEP...not vinyl like at all; soft and doesn't get ultra hot here in AZ...you could always get some nice covers for them if it is bothering you that much.

 

[MarkDallas]

Toyota of Fort Worth added aftermarket leather to all 3 rows of my 2013 SR5 and the quality of the leather is great. Not sure if they outsourced it or did it in house, but it cost me $1600 - would have been $1200 for 2 rows. I would call them for quote if it really bothers you.

 

[stormtroopa]

I hate to say it but I love the softech in my TEP...not vinyl like at all; soft and doesn't get ultra hot here in AZ...you could always get some nice covers for them if it is bothering you that much.

I really don't mind the cloth...it's just the "I don't have leather anymore" mentality. Ridiculous, I know!

Edited to add: Not crazy about seat covers, and I don't think they can safely be used with airbags. I may be incorrect, but I know that is the case with Volvos and lots of other makes.

 

[stormtroopa]

Toyota of Fort Worth added aftermarket leather to all 3 rows of my 2013 SR5 and the quality of the leather is great. Not sure if they outsourced it or did it in house, but it cost me $1600 - would have been $1200 for 2 rows. I would call them for quote if it really bothers you.

I also have the third row. Do you have any pictures? I'm also in DFW. Definitely an option!

 

[stormtroopa]

Toyota of Fort Worth added aftermarket leather to all 3 rows of my 2013 SR5 and the quality of the leather is great. Not sure if they outsourced it or did it in house, but it cost me $1600 - would have been $1200 for 2 rows. I would call them for quote if it really bothers you.

So I called and they also quoted me $1595 out the door for all three rows. I asked the service guy if it was leather covers or what, and he didn't seem 100% sure but said he believed they just replace the cloth with the leather they put on the Limiteds. Is this true?

 

[Stifler]

get Katzkin installed and thank me later:thumb3: The dealer installed option is the same, they peel the cloth covers and install. Katzkin is way better quality than softex (although I have softex)

Fine I will say it.... post a picture of you sitting in the 4runner and we can better judge what you need lol

 

[stormtroopa]

get Katzkin installed and thank me later:thumb3: The dealer installed option is the same, they peel the cloth covers and install. Katzkin is way better quality than softex (although I have softex)

Fine I will say it.... post a picture of you sitting in the 4runner and we can better judge what you need lol

Thanks for the recommendation! My husband did mention that as well.

And you're funny

 

[mpriggs]

Katzkin leather is great. They will remove all of the cloth on your current seats and install the leather. It is not a cover it is true upholstery. We did this in our 2006 4Runner and my 2008 jeep wrangler. The wrangler has the top off, goes in mud, etc and the seats are still in great shape.

 

[JSparky]

Another vote for Katzkin, I have no complaints and the stitching is top notch. Taking these made me realize it's time to clean and condition.. looking a little dirty in macro

 

[GiGi's 1996]

I also have an SR5 with cloth.
We had an Accord, a Tahoe and a Sienna, all with leather. "Had to" in order to get all the bells and whistles that come with i.e. sunroof, no antenna, home link, etc.
We have an F-350 with leather. We have a Camaro with leather. This time I promised my kids our next vehicle would not have leather. No matter whether the leather is the best or SofTex, it is still sticky and hot here in Phx.
Yes, I miss not having the best and every bell and whistle, but I don't miss always having to sit on a towel or my kids burning themselves on the seats. That is what is most important to me.
If I changed my mind and decided I wanted leather/SofTex, I'd go buy an SR5 Premium.
Time will tell if you made the right decision. Or your kids will tell you.....lol.

 

[VoodooTitan]

Sadly, none of us can reassure you that you made the right choice. The only person that can know truly whether you're happy or not with what you have is you. If you are losing sleep about the fact you don't have leather, then you should do what it take's for you to be happy, especially if you're the type of person who spends a lot of time in their vehicle.

While I'm no expert i'm not sure if the Softex is an available option on the SR5. But a re-upholstery option will be your best bet and if the dealership does it then it should be covered if there are any issues with it down the road.

 

[marlinsfan]

You and I are a bit backwards. I wanted cloth, but also wanted the heated seats. I ended up with the Premium, and am thinking did I throw money away?

2 weeks into owning my T4R SR5 Premium, I'm not loving the softex. But I came from an FJ Cruiser which had synthetic seats (without heaters!).When winter comes I am sure I will love them because my bum will be toasty.

 

[FullCircleHook]

I love the cloth in our SR5, but I have to admit that I'm scared that my son will spill milk on it. I guess I better go ahead and scotchgard it ASAP.

The sales rep told me specifically to "dab don't rub"...that doesnt sound like a good thing to me. :nono:However, I have similar upholstery in my Tundra and it's been rock solid with no treatment.

Living in Florida, I have never understood why everyone loves leather. Hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It also seems to show wear worse on the vehicles that I have owned.

 

[kpd1999]

Okay, so I purchased our 4th T4R a few weeks ago ('14). For the last five years, other than owning a '12 T4R for a short period of time, I've driven Volvos. They have the best leather I've experienced. I haven't found that anything else compares.



That being said, my SR5 (not Premium) has cloth seats. I didn't think I wanted SofTex because I thought it was basically vinyl, and would never be as good as what I had in my Volvos.



I feel like I'm losing sleep over the fact that my seats are cloth. Can someone please assure me I made the right decision?! My husband thinks I'm crazy for even worrying about it. I love the T4R other than that.

You and I are a bit backwards. I wanted cloth, but also wanted the heated seats. I ended up with the Premium, and am thinking did I throw money away?



2 weeks into owning my T4R SR5 Premium, I'm not loving the softex. But I came from an FJ Cruiser which had synthetic seats (without heaters!).When winter comes I am sure I will love them because my bum will be toasty.

It sounds like you two need to work out a trade....

 

[stormtroopa]

You and I are a bit backwards. I wanted cloth, but also wanted the heated seats. I ended up with the Premium, and am thinking did I throw money away?

2 weeks into owning my T4R SR5 Premium, I'm not loving the softex. But I came from an FJ Cruiser which had synthetic seats (without heaters!).When winter comes I am sure I will love them because my bum will be toasty.

You'll love it come winter. I used my heated seats in my Volvo daily if it was even the least bit chilly! It was also great for when my husband was riding with me because, of course, I was always cold and would blast him out with the heater

 

[stormtroopa]

I love the cloth in our SR5, but I have to admit that I'm scared that my son will spill milk on it. I guess I better go ahead and scotchgard it ASAP.

The sales rep told me specifically to "dab don't rub"...that doesnt sound like a good thing to me. :nono:However, I have similar upholstery in my Tundra and it's been rock solid with no treatment.

Living in Florida, I have never understood why everyone loves leather. Hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It also seems to show wear worse on the vehicles that I have owned.

Oh, yeah - water is the only drink we allow in our vehicles. Definitely not milk. One forgotten sippy cup...yikes! Glad to hear the seats in your Tundra have held up well!