The leather steel wheel cover is not sturdy. It appears to be nice but doesn’t feel like leather. This is the first time I can recall ever having a steering wheel get ruined from normal wear and tear. In this case the PLASTIC belt clips rubbed against the steering wheel twice and in both cases left a serious scratch/gouging across the steering wheel. Note these are plastic clips worn on the belt and covered by a shirt and sweatshirt. In years past on other Toyotas they always had a leather cover that might have seen a scuff but didn’t affect the feel.
With these two abrasions they appear to have been cut with a knife or something. A plastic clip covered by a shirt and sweatshirt, well that’s downright shameful. People interface with the steering wheel most of the time they are in the car. I can’t imagine what will happen after a few years of holding onto it or rubbing against it. Right now those abrasions are distracting and feel worse than they look. I’m looking into steering wheel covers and that is a disgrace for a truck with 1700 miles on it. Their plastic steering wheels are more durable as sad as that is.
My 2020 RAV4 leather steering wheel looks like new and my guess is the new design is being done to combat the slickness of the leather after a couple of years, a common concern. It has no textured spots so likely why changed but this new 2025 Tacoma leather steering wheel is abysmal at best. And in time I’m sure it’ll just keep having breakdowns and make it uncomfortable to hold onto when driving.
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The leather steel wheel cover is not sturdy. It appears to be nice but doesn’t feel like leather. This is the first time I can recall ever having a steering wheel get ruined from normal wear and tear. In this case the PLASTIC belt clips rubbed against the steering wheel twice and in both cases left a serious scratch/gouging across the steering wheel. Note these are plastic clips worn on the belt and covered by a shirt and sweatshirt. In years past on other Toyotas they always had a leather cover that might have seen a scuff but didn’t affect the feel.
With these two abrasions they appear to have been cut with a knife or something. A plastic clip covered by a shirt and sweatshirt, well that’s downright shameful. People interface with the steering wheel most of the time they are in the car. I can’t imagine what will happen after a few years of holding onto it or rubbing against it. Right now those abrasions are distracting and feel worse than they look. I’m looking into steering wheel covers and that is a disgrace for a truck with 1700 miles on it. Their plastic steering wheels are more durable as sad as that is.
My 2020 RAV4 leather steering wheel looks like new and my guess is the new design is being done to combat the slickness of the leather after a couple of years, a common concern. It has no textured spots so likely why changed but this new 2025 Tacoma leather steering wheel is abysmal at best. And in time I’m sure it’ll just keep having breakdowns and make it uncomfortable to hold onto when driving.
- carcomplaintsfan, Chadds Ford, PA, US