I was disappointed to learn that they are not offering the 2008 HCH with leather seating. I recently test drove the HCH and while I really liked the car, the cloth seating looked like an absolute disaster waiting to happen since I have a dog and an infant. I was really hoping that would add leather as an option in 2008.

 

The drag coefficient of leather is μ = 0.63 while the cloth is μ = 0.215 plus the average weight is 5 pounds more for the leather resulting in a pollution index of 0.25 as opposed to the current 0.08. The following equasion is how these numbers are derived:

Fmax = μsN/Gn(2)*134.78/(75killmenow(12.5kw*T))4

where T= time value and 75 = 3

 

I'm sure to keep prices down.

You can always get aftermarket leather. It's often a higher quality for the same price. I encouraged my dad to do so with his Sequioa. It was $1500 for three rows of buttery soft leather. He saved a ton with an SR5 instead of the Limited.

I had leather for years in our bimmers and I got tired of hot buns in the summer and cold buns in the winter.

I can tell you that our seats have stood up well to our infant and pug. Mud wipes of pretty easily.

Don't let the lack of leather keep you out of such a fine car.

You can work it out!

 

The dealership should have access to aftermarket zip on leather seat covers that look like factory ones. My friend had them installed on his HCH-I and they look as good as any factory seat, he also had a sun roof installed.

 

HCH is a statement car for the environment. Killing animals would go against that statement. Something like that

 

I think I recall seeing leather in the HCH in Europe since 2007. It might be possible to order an interior from there. The rear seat included a fold-down armrest, if I remember right.

 

In the long run, cloth/material is 100 times better than leather.

Leather takes more care to maintain, while cloth/material just needs a good vacume every once in a while. I have owned vehicles that have leather, and I dont with to ever go back to it. After a while cracked leather looks like CRAP. Along with looking like CRAP, during summer you get your buns toasted.

Love the cloth, for it will save you $$$$ and your BUNS!!

 

the prius must not be a statement car then because package 6 is comes with leather.

 

Notice it comes on Package 6. Most Peta people woud stop at package 1 . Toyota just wanted to have 6 degrees of separation so they won't see that package

 

I can second that. The last thing I want in my car is dead animal skin. It kinda goes against my whole anti-destruction / pro-conservation thing. Just a little. I'm not saying you're wrong to want leather, just seems like a not so far leap in reasoning for it not being available OEM.