Cool Grey Leather Upholstery - living with it.

[Douglas Youngson]

We are close to buying a new Prius Excel, but there is one major topic of debate – the interior. Now I utterly love the two tone light grey / black upholstery, it just looks marvellous. But the big question is what is it like to live with? Does it mark easily? In particular does denim leave a stain? Is it worth it, or is it just too much of a pain to keep clean?

Thanks!

[PeteB]

My car is almost 1 year 9 months old and passed 25,000 miles last week.  It has the cool grey interior, and I do love it, especially as part of the doors and dash are that colour too.  It also makes the white centre console stand out less.

I don't posses any denim so can't comment on that, but so far it still looks mostly marvellous.  The only issue is a very slight spot of the leather on the edge of the driver's seat nearest the door that has worn a bit, but I suspect my large frame is mostly responsible.  A more slightly built person would probably not have this problem.

I do have the car cleaned inside and out by one of the local hand car wash outfits about once a month, but no special treatment so far.

I'll probably have them do a leather treatment at 2, 4 years etc. and maybe when it's five or six years old I'll get a vehicle upholstery specialist to fit all new leather on the seats, but only if I think it needs it.  For now, still very happy with the choice, and grateful there was a choice to make.

[diverdave]

I also have had my Excel for almost two years like Pete and I also love the two tone interior, mine is still spotless and I do wear jeans in the car with no marking. People that I have had in my car remark that they think the interior is stunning, much better that the all black. I have not actually cleaned my interior with any leather treatment just wiped over with a soft cloth.

[PeteB]

2 hours ago, diverdave said:

...People that I have had in my car remark that they think the interior is stunning...

same here (and most are blown away by the screens and the near silent, smooth progress).

It's the first car I've had since a GL Vauxhall Nova I bought new in 1984 which had a really rich rust colour ribbed velour interior, including seats and door trim.  The whole dash was in a matching colour, with off white pillar covers and headlining.  Male and female passengers used to remark "wow!" the first time they got in.  I actually chose the interior colour first (it's what I see most!), then chose from the available non-metallic paint colours that I could have with it.