Best Seat Covers: Protect and Revive Your Car Seats

Whether you’ve got car seats that you want to keep looking as fresh as the day you rolled off the showroom floor or you’re trying to cover up cracked, stained, tired-looking upholstery, there’s a seat cover out there for you. Car seat covers are as abundant as beer varieties at your local microbrew. There’s a material, aesthetic, and price point to suit everyone. From classic designs that match your vehicle’s interior, to funky, innovative styles and patterns, the possibilities are endless.

To make weeding through the plethora of options a little less confusing and painful, I’ve compiled a list of top options along with an informative buying guide that lays out the important features and factors to consider when choosing the ideal seat covers to suit your needs.

When it comes to choosing the best seat covers available, the goal is to provide you with a well-rounded list that features a good variety of reputable manufacturers with solid track records of providing high-quality, long-lasting products. I wanted to include a wide range of price points to suit any budget. Lastly, I wanted to feature seat covers that use the latest in design technology and feature innovative materials that are suitable for a wide variety of vehicle makes and models. There’s literally something for everyone. For more info on selection criteria, click this link to The Drive’s Gear About page, which explains our methodology further.

In terms of quality, fit, durability, and appearance, it’s really tough to beat the CalTrend "I Can't Believe It's Not Leather" Seat Covers as a top overall pick. They look almost exactly like original seat covers and will give your car a clean, like-new appearance that most people will never even guess aren’t original. For a long-lasting and good-looking budget friendly pick, check out the Coverado Car Seat Covers. 

Do you have a seat cover that has been providing you with long-lasting, rugged protection that you pledge your undying love and devotion to? Let us know about it in the comments.

When it comes to choosing your perfect seat cover, it’s not a one-size-fits-all thing. There are plenty of factors to consider with regards to materials, pricing, fit, aesthetic, and longevity. Knowing all your options and what features you shouldn’t skimp on or pass up will help you quickly and confidently narrow your choices and end up with a seat cover that you’re happy with for years to come.

These seat covers are the cream of the crop in terms of fit and aesthetic. They’re usually precision-cut to exactly match your vehicle’s OEM seats. This gives you a fresh, sleek, professional look that some people won’t even be able to tell isn’t original. They can be constructed from leather, faux leather, canvas, or neoprene. That said, these seat covers usually come at a premium price point and are known to be a pain in the you-know-what when it comes to installation.

These seat covers come designed to fit several styles of seats, including bucket or bench, but aren’t precisely cut to fit your specific vehicle make and model. Like custom-fit seat covers, they come in a variety of available materials, colors, and patterns. They’re typically less expensive, easier to install, but offer a less permanent solution than custom-fit seat covers.

The most economical and temporary solution to seat covers, universal seat covers can be easily installed and removed to suit different needs. They’re often made from ripstop nylon that is waterproof and washable. These are a great option for carting pets and messy kids around and protecting your upholstery from occasional offenders and infrequent wear and tear. 

Seat covers come in a wide variety of materials, each with different price tags, pros, and cons. For the ultimate in durability, it’s tough to beat genuine or faux leather. As mentioned above, other great options include neoprene, canvas, and nylon.

Fit is one of the biggest factors to consider when buying seat covers. Do you want something that looks original and professional, and provides a snug, stable fit that doesn’t move around or bunch up when you’re driving? Or do you want a more temporary fix that is more affordable and maybe comes in fun, funky patterns or designs? The other option is a completely temporary, loose-fitting seat cover that’s meant for occasional use and not a permanent solution.

Many of the higher-end, pricier seat cover options come backed by solid warranties that allow you to protect your investment and ensure that you will have your chosen seat covers for a long time. If you’re looking for temporary seat cover solutions, they likely won’t come backed by any warranty, but you can replace them for much less cost, so it all comes out in the wash.

You can purchase temporary or partial seat covers made from lightweight, easy-to-clean materials for between $25 and $100. If you’re looking for semi-custom seat covers that provide a snug fit and are a bit more durable, plan to spend between $100 and $200. If precision-cut, custom-fit leather or faux leather is what you’re after, you’re going to spend between $250 and $400.

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.