At times, I perceive myself as the sole car enthusiast who embraces the concept of seat covers. The ability to alter a part of your upholstery akin to a garment? Come on, that’s enjoyable! Yet, I realize, seat covers often wind up looking rather shoddy.
Recently, I treated myself to a set of slightly upscale tailor-made seat covers for my Honda Civic to assess if they’d fare any better.
Most of our diary entries involve actual wrenching, but I spent so much time pondering about these seat covers that I simply had to share them here.
Here’s how a set of CalTrend tweed custom seat covers, which retail for about $200, looks in my 2006 Civic Si two-door:
Andrew P. Collins
If you’re intrigued, here’s the site to browse through them. I proceeded to purchase these independently after evaluating numerous seat cover choices. At present, the company appears to be conducting a generous 35% markdown for Mother’s Day.
CalTrend Seat Cover Review and Road Testing
My assessment can be summed up as follows: Not extraordinary, but rather commendable. The cost-effectiveness is evident—generic seat covers at Wal-Mart are priced around $50 per pair, and these are undeniably four times superior to those (which I’ve also experimented with). A professional upholstery job would be considerably more costly unless you possess the time and skill to undertake it yourself (a noteworthy challenge, we can delve into that on another occasion).
Installation
CalTrend provided a flimsy plastic tool for tucking and pushing the cover behind plastic and amidst the cushions alongside these covers. I didn’t have much success with it, but also didn’t encounter significant difficulties getting the covers positioned correctly using my fingers. I’d classify the installation process as exceedingly straightforward, except for the custom pillow aspect which I’ll address later. I did sustain a minor injury while reaching under the seat, be cautious, there are sharp edges down there!
The instructions were straightforward, and the seats were clearly marked as left and right. Andrew P. Collins
Fitment
The Civic Si is not officially listed by CalTrend as a compatible model—only the lower-tier non-K-powered eighth-gen Civics. Despite this, the seats are identical. Although there are slight differences in the headrests and embroidery between the Si seats and others, upon closer inspection of images, I am convinced that the seat structure is the same as that of an EX coupe from the same year. I got in touch with the seat cover manufacturer, shared some photos, and we reached an agreement that CalTrend’s design would fit.
The fit is not perfect initially, but it seems to be improving over time with usage. At first, I was somewhat disappointed with the fit of the covers, noticing some sags and air pockets even after extensive adjustments. However, as I spent more time in them and allowed them to settle, these issues started to diminish. After around 500 miles of use, the covers now appear better than when I first installed them. I am optimistic that this trend will continue, although there are still a few minor sags and one bothersome air pocket at the rear of the driver’s seat.
The reason for the puff in the shoulder area is not entirely clear. Andrew P. Collins
The treatment of the headrest is intriguing; the original headrest has a somewhat unusual U shape, whereas the cover gives it a flatter appearance. I never particularly liked the stock headrest, so I am content with this alteration.
My Custom Seating Modification
The stock seat of the eighth-gen Civic does not suit my preferences. I have experimented with various cushions and even invested in a relatively expensive cushion from Cushion Lab. While it is of high quality, it is too tall for this car—using it would require me to peek through the sunroof while driving.
If I were braver, I would consider reconstructing the lower cushion of the factory seat to better suit my comfort. However, a mixture of apprehension and lethargy has prevented me from attempting this so far; perhaps next winter. For now, I have discovered a soft cushion that is thin enough for me to sit on comfortably. I have placed it on the driver’s seat, on top of the original upholstery but underneath the cover.
I acknowledge that this solution may appear makeshift, but it is serving its purpose well for me at the moment. Andrew P. Collins
There are significant advantages and disadvantages to consider. In terms of comfort, it was exceptionally effective! I endured eight hours on the highway and spent hours in race mode in the car last weekend without experiencing any discomfort. Without the cushion, the seat became bothersome after approximately half an hour. However, the drawback is that upon getting off and having the cushion expand back, the driver’s seat resembles a souffle. Nevertheless, this car was never destined to win any awards. Besides, how frequently am I actually gazing at the driver’s seat? Essentially, just for capturing these images.
Materials and Craftsmanship
The thickness of the CalTrend covers immediately caught my attention. The stitching is also exceptionally sturdy. While I’ve had off-the-shelf seat covers tear simply from stretching them into place, I felt like my dog and I could engage in a tug-of-war with these covers without causing any damage. I particularly appreciate the black vinyl backs, which contribute to the vintage aesthetic I’m striving for with this vehicle.
The tweed looks great. Andrew P. Collins
The tweed fronts have a somewhat rough texture (reminiscent of tweed, indeed) which may not appeal to everyone, but I personally like it. Overall, I believe the outstanding build quality is the standout feature of these covers. They receive top marks in that regard.
Why I Chose the CalTrend Covers (in Grey Tweed)
I’ve previously noted that I find the stock eighth-gen Civic seat uncomfortable, and in a prior Project Car Diary entry, I’ve mentioned that mine also exhibit some unattractive features (peculiar stains, cigarette burns).
While a racing seat would provide a visually and physically appealing option, I am hesitant to install one due to the presence of seat airbags in this car, and I am unwilling to disrupt the factory SRS. A reliable airbag system is a crucial advantage of driving an eighth-gen Civic compared to an older K-swapped model. Furthermore, stock seats are fully compatible with stock seat belts, unlike racing seats.
For an older vehicle (2000 or earlier), I wouldn’t hesitate to replace the factory seat with a superior unit from Sparco, Recaro, or another reputable brand. However, in a more contemporary vehicle where the seat is an integrated component of the airbag system, I am unsure whether I would make alterations. Additionally, while OEM seats undergo crash testing, racing seats may not.
If you have a complete race safety setup, including a cage, proper harness, window net, and the works… that’s a different story. However, “system” is the operative word. Simply replacing a racing seat or steering wheel in place of one containing an airbag seems like a significant compromise to me.
I am not prepared to invest the time or money into reupholstering the seats on this vehicle properly, so I’ve experimented with several inexpensive covers and always felt they were “decent but not quite perfect.”
I ultimately settled on CalTrend after coming across some old forum posts lauding its quality and inspecting various seat cover brands at last year’s SEMA show. Initially, I considered a design with a red insert on suede, but I was concerned it might give off the impression that I was trying too hard to emulate the Type R interior. Grey seemed like a harmonious choice with the car’s interior aesthetics without drawing excessive attention to itself. Plus, the tweed material just appealed to me.
The i-VTEC decal looks oddly positioned (reinstalled after a repaint by a previous owner). I’ll need to rectify that at some point. Nevertheless, the seat covers appear quite appealing from a distance, ha! Andrew P. Collins
Considering the cost, I am pleased with the outcome of these covers. I even prefer the grey insert appearance over the all-black stock upholstery. Perhaps in the future, I will properly reupholster the seats, but for now, these CalTrend units complement the vehicle well, and I’m delighted to have managed to incorporate my quirky little cushion in a somewhat tasteful manner.
I won’t claim that I observe these seat covers and instantly think the car features custom upholstery. Nevertheless, it represents an enhancement over worn seats and has marginally improved my interior comfort.
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