Buying Guide: Car Seat Covers

New car seat covers are a great way to refresh and protect your car interior. Here’s what you need to know before you buy this popular car accessory.

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Buying new car seat covers: A primer

Buying new car seat covers: A primer

Whether you want to spruce up your car interior or simply protect the seats, seat covers can be a worthwhile investment. When choosing car seat covers, you’ll likely find yourself spoiled by choice, but the make, year, model and style of your car’s seats will help narrow the playing field to manageable number of options. Here are some tips to help you make an informed purchase.

Glovebox PVC seat cover kit, $110, Canadian Tire.

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What you need to know about fabric car seat covers 

What you need to know about fabric car seat covers 

Fabric seat covers tend to be the cheapest option, and these car accessories come in a huge variety of different colours, patterns and textures. If your main priority is to personalize your car without spending a fortune, fabric covers are your best bet. 

Some of the most popular fabric seat cover materials include nylon, polyester and canvas. You can, however, find specialty materials such as denim or corduroy if you want to go for a truly unique look. Unfortunately, however, none of these fabrics are as durable as leather, and most fabric covers require relatively frequent cleaning, as they tend to be more susceptible to stains and spills.

Classic cloth seat covers, $27 each, Amazon.

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What you need to know about leather car seat covers

What you need to know about leather car seat covers

Genuine leather car seat covers present the high-end choice, particularly in the case of luxury vehicles. Such covers generally feature a tan or black finish, so there aren’t as many style options to go for. Nonetheless, if you’re prepared to shop around a bit, you should be able to find more customized colours. 

The key advantage of leather is that it is extremely durable and easy to maintain. Aside from adding a luxurious look to your vehicle, leather is relatively easy to wipe clean, making it less susceptible to spills and stains than fabric. However, when proper care is needed, you will need to invest in some specialized leather cleaning products. Another clear disadvantage of leather is that it’s also much more expensive-though it can add to the resale value of your car, paying for itself in the long run.

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What you need to know about fitted car seat covers  

What you need to know about fitted car seat covers  

If you’re looking for the ultimate seat covers that offer both excellent protection and a classy, customized look, you may want to consider investing in a fitted design. Custom-made fitted covers will certainly come at a premium, but they’ll offer a tight fit to such an extent that they look like they’re an original part of the vehicle’s interior as opposed to an aftermarket car accessory

Fitted seat covers come in tons of different varieties. You can choose from leather or fabric as well as a multitude of textures, colours and patterns. In fact, you can even buy covers specially designed for travelling on family road trips with pets or children. The only limit is your imagination, and-of course-your budget! 

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