Best Leather Seat Covers (Review & Buying Guide) in 2022 | The Drive

2022-09-03 04:18:22 By : Ms. Tany Tang

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Over time, your vehicle's seats can start to wear out or they may get stained from food, drinks, pets, and children. One of the best ways to cover up unsightly car seats or to prevent them from getting damaged in the first place is by purchasing a set of leather or faux leather seat covers because they provide protection for your car, truck, or SUV. They may cost slightly more than fabric seat covers, but they tend to be more durable, are easier to clean, and are available in a variety of colors and styles to match your vehicle's interior. Check out our in-depth buying guide below to find the best leather car seat covers for your ride.

You may love your car, but over time it’s easy to get tired of some of its qualities. This can be especially true for its interior, since it’s where you spend all your time. One of the easiest ways to shake things up is to buy seat covers. Adding leather seat covers will transform your car’s interior, and can help hide tired, old upholstery. There are tons of great options, and many covers offer a custom fit for a better factory look.

I selected the products you see here based on personal experience — I’ve purchased seat covers for at least five of my vehicles over the years — and a thorough review of customer opinions, specs, and features. I avoided poorly reviewed products and focused on quality, style, and fit. Let’s get rolling.

EKR Custom Fit Full Set Car Seat Covers

PIC Auto Mesh and Leather Universal Fit Car Seat Covers

I considered several factors when selecting the best leather seat covers for cars, trucks, and SUVs. First, I made sure that they were constructed of leather or leather-like material. I largely included products with a universal fit, so that they can accommodate most vehicle makes and models. Features such as durability, ease of installation, and style were also important in our decision-making process.

I included covers in a variety of price ranges that can satisfy all types of budgets, whether you're looking for a more affordable option or a premium one. I also avoided products that had poor customer feedback and didn't hold up well over time. View our methodology here.

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

These leatherette car seat covers from EKR look and feel almost like they came with the car from the factory. They offer four-layer construction with thick foam padding and a water-resistant design. EKR sells the custom seat covers for specific vehicles, so you’ll need to make sure you’re buying the right model. The model-specific design also means that installation can be a little more difficult, as the fit is snug. Some customers also report that the included directions are useless, and note that the company’s instructional video is the way to go.

The EKR seat covers are great for people with pets, as the water-resistant construction helps prevent accidents and muddy paws from ruining your upholstery. The beefy design also contributes to the covers’ longevity, and many buyers say the product exceeded their expectations on quality. Of course, quality comes at a price, and the EKR covers are no exception. They’re one of the more expensive options on sale.

Custom-fit seat covers are nice, but sometimes you just need something to protect your seats. When protection is your goal and you’re not hung up on high-end design, the PIC Auto Mesh seat covers should be on your radar. They come in a full-car seat and offer a good fit, despite being universal. They come in a variety of colors, including several two-tone options, and PIC sells high- and low-back variants.

The covers fit folding rear seats, and PIC says they’re designed to work with heated seats. Most buyers report having an easy time with installation and PIC offers an instructional video that makes the process easy. That said, you get what you pay for, and some buyers report that the PIC covers arrive damaged out of the box. You can exchange them if yours show up with damage, but that’s an annoying step to take for brand-new seat covers.

Katzkin’s seat covers are among the most expensive options on the market, but their quality and durability are well worth the price. They are custom-fit and are available for a variety of vehicles. Despite the name, Katzkin’s covers are not made from cats. They are, however, made from high-quality leather in several colors, and the detailed stitch work gives the covers a factory look.

Since Katzkin covers are fitted to a specific vehicle, they can be tough to install. The same thick leather that makes the covers feel premium also makes them hard to stretch and maneuver during installation. The company offers a video to help with installation, but some people say they gave up after struggling and paid a professional to install.

These automotive seat covers from Oasis Auto are made of leatherette material, and they're available in several colors — including tan, black, and gray — to match the inside of your car, SUV, or truck. They feature a universal design and fit most seats, such as four-door sedans, two-door coupes, and pickup trucks. These covers go over the entire seat and are water-resistant, scratch-resistant, and built to last.

We like that these covers are sturdy and stay put when you move in and out of your vehicle, and the instructions are easy to follow. They are also padded and cushioned for comfort and have an attractive design that stands out. Unfortunately, the installation process can be a little time-consuming, depending on the type of vehicle you have, and it may require another set of hands. Also, lighter colors may transfer onto dark clothing, but it's not permanent.

This set of five seat covers from the Luckyman Club is designed to fit sedans, SUVs, and trucks. They are made of wear-resistant and waterproof PVC leather for durability and the covers provide a secure fit that won't damage the upholstery underneath. They are compatible with airbags and don’t encumber your seat belts for safety.

They also have pockets for storage, stay firmly in place, and cover areas on seats that experience the most wear and tear. One drawback is that the headrest covers may be a little big or loose on some types of seats. While they are a universal fit, they don't fit all vehicles perfectly, so make sure to check the measurements before making a purchase. In addition, the back seat covers tend to be more challenging to install.

Behoyao’s car seat covers offer great quality and a detailed design that can really amp up your car’s interior vibes. They’re available in a two-tone black-red color combo and feature useful seatback pockets for small-item storage. The covers feature five layers with waterproof synthetic leather on top and two layers of foam padding. The company says the foam used is dense and helps the covers maintain their shape over time.

The B003 covers come in a full-car set, and they’re designed to work with seatbelts and airbags. Installation should be relatively painless, though some customers disagree with the company’s assertion that it should only take 20-30 minutes. That said, the covers fit well, despite being universal, and many people report that they exceed expectations on quality and longevity.

When you want to make your car’s interior look like a budget Bentley, the Oasis OS-009 might be your ticket. No, they aren’t anywhere near as nice as the hides used at the factory in Crewe, but the Oasis covers are more than worth their price tag. The company offers several color options for the covers, including a cool navy blue and burgundy to help you act on your late-1970s automotive dreams.

Oasis backs its covers with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there’s little risk of you not getting the product you want. That’s good news for some buyers, as a handful of reviews state that the covers arrived defective, or that they did not fit some vehicles.

The all-around best seat covers on our list are the EKR Custom Fit Full Set Car Seat Covers. They offer a solid custom fit and clean style for less money than many others. While not available for all vehicle models, it’s hard to beat the combination of features EKR brings to the table. 

Leather seat covers are made for specific makes and models or they're a universal fit and are designed to fit "most" vehicles. Before making a purchase, it's important to find the right size and look at features such as ease of installation, washability, durability, cushioning and comfort, water resistance, and style.

What to Consider When Buying Leather Seat Covers

It's critical that you choose leather seat covers that properly fit your car, SUV, or truck. Many products claim to have a universal fit design, but that means they fit most seats, not all. The last thing you want is for the seat cover to be too tight or too large. If it's too tight, you may not be able to install it at all. If it's too large, the material may bunch up and not only look unsightly but be uncomfortable as well.

Some seat covers are easier to install than others as many products have straps that are adjustable and that make it easier to keep the covers securely in place. However, these straps can twist or be made of a flimsy material that wears out over time. Look for durable straps that are flexible yet strong. It's also a good idea to read reviews to see how long the installation process takes. This can vary depending on the cover or the type of vehicle you drive as some covers also require more than one person for installation, which can be a hassle if you want to put them on by yourself.

Not all leather or faux leather seat covers are created equal with some being more durable than others, and the type and thickness of the material is a big indicator of how long they'll last. Take a close look at the seams, straps, and elastic and plastic components to make sure that they are designed with quality in mind. These pieces have a tendency to break if they're not robust enough. In addition, make sure the leather is not too thin or flimsy, as it can rip more easily or be susceptible to cracks or scratches, which can also affect the look of your vehicle's interior.

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.

A: Most of today’s modern seat covers are designed to work with your car’s side airbags without compromising deployment time or function. But check before you buy.

A: Leather seat covers are a great way to protect your vehicle's front and rear seats. They guard against wear and tear and keep your car, truck, or SUV seats from getting damaged. Leather seat covers also add a stylish element to your vehicle's interior.

A: In general, seat covers protect your cloth and leather seats. They keep pet hair, dirt, food, etc., away. However, cheap covers can retain moisture if you spill liquids on it, which can damage the cloth upholstery underneath them. Choose covers that are water-resistant and waterproof for the best protection.

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