The Complete Guide to Toyota Prado Seat Covers

Based on the tried and tested underpinnings of its bigger brother, the Toyota Landcruiser Prado has a lot going for it. There’s the choice between 5 or 7 seats, an eager 4-pot oil burner with heaps of low-down pull, and all the gearing you’d want when driving off the tarmac. In short, a ton of space for bigger families (with the family pet included) and all the off-roading credentials you’d come to expect. Add to the fact that the price difference between the two models can net you a basic spec Yaris GR and you have the best of both worlds.

The Prado may lack the high-end feel of more upmarket European rivals, but this is a car primed towards functionality and reliability. Even the base spec GX has all the necessary safety additions and going higher up the range adds things like traffic sign recognition and lane departure alerts. To get cosy, Toyota also throws in heating and ventilation to the front and second-row seats. What’s not included though is a decent set of Prado seat covers. You’ll have to splash a bit more at the dealers for these or get better-made covers aftermarket for much less. The second option seems a more reasonable choice. Covers can be had for the current Prado J150, or previous gen J120 and J90 cars.

Why Seat Covers are a Necessity

rotection, comfort, and better looks. This is what well-made seat covers bring into every car interior. You’ll want something that does a good job of soaking up stains, spills, and burns and that would otherwise leave the seat fabric in ruins. And there’s mud, dust, and debris to think about. The Prado is the ultimate family hauler, and seat covers will bear the brunt of any mischief your kids or pets can muster. The car is what a lot of Aussies rely on when heading deep into the bush. And here the red soils are unforgiving in every sense. Keeping the interior spotless then is only a matter of giving the covers a good clean.

The stock seats in the Prado aren’t the last word in driver or passenger comfort. Aftermarket covers can create a more homely feeling, especially on longer journeys, with padding in all the right areas. They’re also optioned with non-slip surfaces to keep you snug in the seats when you put the pedal down. Pair them with comfy seat cushions all-round, and have everyone sighing just how good the ride is.

Lastly, to spruce up that somewhat lacklustre interior of base-spec and older Prado variants, aftermarket covers just add a bit more shine. They can be had in a variety of colour schemes, from understated black to two-tone options that play with the lines in the rest of the interior. Stitching also plays a part here and adds a little head-turning detail. It’s these minor features that let you personalise how the interior looks.

What to Look for in Seat Covers for Your Prado?

As mentioned, you can buy seat covers directly from any Toyota dealership. The upside to this is that you’ll know that the covers fit, and details like arm and headrests are catered to. Besides this, they comply with seat belts and buckles, and child-seat restraint points and won’t impede on side airbag activation. Where these covers are found wanting is the available material selection, and the scope of different designs found elsewhere.

Material Choices

Aftermarket covers for the Prado not only warrant they’ll fit the contours of both the bucket seats up front and the second and third-row benches but also come in some interesting materials.

• Neoprene Seat Covers – These are made from the same durable, comfortable and waterproof synthetic rubber found in wetsuits. They won’t soak up spilled drinks or hot coffee, come with heaps of padding and can stand up to sharp objects without tearing. They also keep cool in the hot summer months and aren’t affected by heat or UV radiation, so won’t fade. Cleaning is also simple and quick, as any built-up dirt and grime are removed with a wet soft cloth or by just throwing them in the washing machine. Look for neoprene covers that are tailored to fit the headrests (with back screen inclusions).

• Canvas – This is the material to go for if you’re hard with your Prado. It’s the last word in durability, being flame retardant, tear and water-resistant, and particularly strong against dirt and dust. Better variants here also look after comfort with foam backing taking the honours. The only minor gripe is that they need a little more attention when cleaning. Look for 16oz cotton canvas covers if you want them to last longer.

• Sheepskin Covers – For the last word in driving comfort, go for covers made of Australian sheepskin. These are soft to the touch while wicking away moisture. The covers keep drivers warm in the winter months, and cool when the weather warms. While doused with luxury, the downside to sheepskin fleece covers is the attention they need to keep spotless. Cleaning is much harder. They’re also quite a bit expensive, so fitting all seven seats in your Prado will take a nice chunk out of your wallet.

Covers Tailored to Your Prado

Sizes and fit are areas that many aftermarket covers may struggle with. Stay clear of universal covers, as you’ll have a really hard time getting them on or fitting at all. Covers tailored to the seats in different Prado models are what to get. You’ll have the guesswork of different seat sizes cut out for you. Make sure that these also comply with ADR standards in terms of airbag activation. Covers can be sold as front and rear combos, and there are also matching centre console and rear armrest covers in matching materials and colours.