Seat Cover Knowledge Dump

[RevN3]

3rd in my Knowledge Dump posts, hope you find it helpful. FYI: search for "Knowledge Dump" for my other posts and any future ones. Questions and additional answers that are posted in this thread may be added to the original post (with attribution)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FAQ:

Why do I need seat covers?
Well, beside the obvious of basic protection from stains and dirt (replacing seat covers is far easier than replacing seats) the seats are made in such a way that rubbing on the outside bolster will wear out the material over time. I bought some cheap $20 seat covers off Amazon and I had wore through that in that spot in less than 2 years. Other reasons can include easy cleaning, liquid blocking and just looking cool. In any case I strongly recommend you get something.

How much can I expect to pay?
Oh man, this one runs the gamut. Like I said. I bought some "universal" covers for $20 for the front seats and another "pet cover" for the back where my kids sit. It's not much more than a tarp with straps (I'm not getting anything fancy for back there, the kids will just destroy it) for another $20 so that was $40 total and I think that's as cheap as you can go. On the other hand you can get custom fitted covers for over a grand!!!

Over a grand? Couldn't I buy new seats for that much?
Aftermarket, sure. OEM...maybe? I'm seeing used ones on eBay pre-2020 for around $500 each, I'm having no luck seeing what they would cost from Toyota new though.
https://www.ebay.com/b/Genuine-OEM-Front-Seats-for-Toyota-Tacoma/33701/bn_34976491

Does Toyota sell an OEM seat cover?
So, oddly enough, I don't think they do. The ones I found were for the 2005-2008 only:
https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota__Tacoma/TRD-Seat-Covers--Sport-Seats/69522715/PT2183505201.html

Would a seat cover for the other gen3s work for the 2020 and later because of the new fancy 10 way adjustable seat?
No idea, I've spent a little time in the 2020 but not enough to compare at that level. Probably?

What kind of universal seat cover is good?
It's a crap shoot. I wore the driver side bolster out on mine but I just swapped it for the passenger one. If I get 4 years for $20 that seems reasonable. Just buy something on Amazon and hope for the best.

Who sells a custom fitted seat cover and what will it cost me?

Clazzio $399-$999 (front and rear)
https://www.clazzio.com/

Carhartt (rebranded Covercraft) $366 front row, $323-$431 back row (WAAAAY cheaper on Amazon right now though, $174.93 for the front row)
http://www.covercraft.net/cartlink/index.php?cust_id=carhartt&prod_id=ssct#cl-tab-customize

Wet Okoles $264-$314 front $296-$346 rear (lots of accessories can increase the price quite a bit)
https://www.wetokole.com/

Bartact $320 front $310 rear
https://www.bartact.com/collections/jeep-wrangler-seat-covers/toyota-tacoma

Sportsman’s Camo Covers $220 front $220 rear $165 jump seats (worth noting they have non-camo colors as well)
https://www.camotruckseats.com/collections/all/toyota-tacoma-2016-esi1349677

Ruff Tuff $171.95 - $535.95 for the front, double that to add back seats
https://seats.rufftuff.com/

 

[Tacomadad18]

Good info, thanks for sharing!

I always throw a set of cheap ones in a new vehicle (even used ones) just to have some kind of protection.

 

[B-laze187]

What do you think of Katzkin? It looks like they completely reupholster the seats but don't do seat covers.

 

[RevN3]

I think for $2k you could buy new OEM seats or go to an upholstery shop and get whatever you want. I can't see spending that kind of money on seats for a truck, or any Toyota actually. There are a lot of much more practical mods that can be had for that price. I guess it depends on what is most important to you though.