Car owners in Pakistan rarely prioritize high-quality car mats while budgeting for their car. What actually happens without floor mats is pretty straightforward, but people don’t think about it. Every time it rains, and you get in the car, water drips from your shoes and clothes onto the carpet. That water soaks deep into the padding underneath. In Pakistan’s humidity, it never dries completely. That’s where the smell comes from – mildew growing in the padding where you can’t reach it. Mud from our broken roads gets ground into carpet fibers with every step. The dirt particles work their way so deep that vacuuming just gets surface-level stuff. Dust from construction sites and general pollution settles and embeds itself permanently.
In this blog, we will discuss the significance of car mats in Pakistan and their types.
Different Types of Floor Mats You’ll Find in Pakistan
Walk through any car accessory market in a metropolitan city, and you’ll see floor mats everywhere. Stacked in shops, hanging on walls, piled on footpaths. Here are some types of floor mats you need to know about.
1. Rubber Floor Mats
These are the standard basic options everyone knows. Just plain rubber material formed into a mat shape. Usually black, sometimes with ribbed or grooved surfaces for grip. Nothing fancy or complicated about them.
The reason rubber works well is its waterproofing. Pakistan’s monsoon season is brutal, especially in cities like Lahore and Islamabad. July to September means you’re driving through water constantly, your shoes are always wet, and mud is everywhere. Rubber mats don’t care about any of this. Water can’t soak in; mud wipes off easily. Even if you spill your entire bottle of water in the car, just tip the mat and pour it out. No permanent damage is possible.
They’re also the cheapest option by far. Basic Chinese rubber mats start from Rs. 600 to Rs. 800 for a complete car set. Those are pretty low-quality, thin rubber that tears easily. Decent quality local or branded rubber mats cost Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,500. Good-quality, thick rubber that lasts for years costs around Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 4,000. Still not expensive considering they protect a car worth lakhs.
What’s not great about rubber mats?
Honestly, they look basic and cheap. There’s no way around it. If you’ve got a premium car like a Civic or Corolla and want the interior to look upscale, plain black rubber mats don’t fit that aesthetic. They’re also not the most comfortable thing under your feet, especially in summer when rubber gets hot.
2. Carpet Floor Mats
These are the soft fabric ones that feel premium under your feet. Made from thick carpet material, come in various colors such as black, grey, beige, brown, and sometimes maroon or navy blue. They’re meant to match and complement your car’s interior styling.
They reduce road noise noticeably because carpet absorbs sound. You get color options to match your dashboard and seat colors perfectly. People with nice cars prefer carpet because it elevates the whole interior experience.
The problem is that our weather destroys carpet. These mats absorb water instantly like a sponge. One drive through a flooded underpass during the monsoon, and your carpet mat is soaking wet. If you don’t dry it completely and correctly, within two days a damp smell develops. That smell gets worse over time and never entirely goes away, even with cleaning. Stains show up prominently on carpet – muddy footprints, spilled drinks, food marks.
3. 3D Floor Mats
The main benefit of 3D mats is their containment factor. During monsoon, when shoes are constantly wet and muddy, all that water and dirt stays trapped inside the mat’s borders instead of spreading across your floor.
There are also synthetic leather or PVC 3D mats that look more premium, have a smoother finish, and feel more upscale. Both versions work fine functionally, depending on your budget and aesthetic preference.
4. 5D Floor Mat
The edges of 5D mats are reinforced to prevent collapse or loss of shape over time. Even after months of people stepping on the edges as they get in and out of the car, they maintain their structure. With cheaper mats, the edges get flattened and are useless after a few weeks.
The price range is Rs. 4,500 to Rs. 12,000, depending on your car model. Smaller cars like Alto or Cultus are on the lower end, while bigger cars and SUVs like Sportage or Fortuner are on the higher end because they require more materials.
For people with decent cars who want proper long-term protection and a premium look, 5D mats make a lot of sense. They’re not cheap, but the quality justifies the price if you’re planning to keep the car for several years.
5. 7D Floor Mat
Top-tier premium category. Seven layers of material construction, genuine or high-quality synthetic leather finish, maximum edge height, perfect custom fitting, and sometimes comes with brand logos or embroidered designs.
7D mats need different maintenance than rubber, though. You can’t just spray water on leather finish materials. Use proper leather-cleaning products, wipe them with a damp cloth for regular cleaning, and use leather conditioner occasionally to prevent cracking.
These mats are expensive. Price ranges from Rs. 6,000 for smaller cars to Rs. 20,000 or more for large SUVs like the Land Cruiser or Prado. That’s serious money for floor mats. Only makes sense if you have a premium vehicle and plan to keep it long term.
6. PVC and Vinyl Mat
These are the cheapest bottom-tier options you’ll find in local markets. Made from thin plastic-based materials. Very basic protection, mostly found in older cars or when someone needs the absolute cheapest solution possible.
PVC mats are at least waterproof, and you can wipe them clean easily. But they don’t fit well, look cheap, feel flimsy under feet, and don’t last long. The material gets brittle over time, especially in our hot summers. They crack and tear with regular use.
Custom-Fit vs Universal – Always Choose Custom
Universal mats are cut to generic sizes that approximate fit various cars. They’re too big in some areas, so they bunch up. Too small in others, leaving gaps where dirt gets through. They slide around because they’re not anchored to your specific floor shape. Don’t fit around pedals correctly, which is actually dangerous if they interfere with brake or accelerator operation.
Some high-end mats also come with clips or anchors that attach to your car’s floor. This is even better than anti-slip backing alone. The mats physically attach and cannot slide. If your vehicle has floor anchor points and matching mats are available, get those.
FAQs
- How long can I expect floor mats to last?
Depends entirely on the mat type and how you maintain them. Also, it matters how much you drive and in what conditions. Basic rubber mats last 4 to 5 years easily with regular cleaning. Carpet mats have a shorter lifespan, usually 2 to 3 years before they look fatigued and worn.
- Can I wash all types of mats at home, or do some need professional cleaning?
You can wash most mat types at home, but the method varies by material. Some definitely benefit from occasional professional cleaning.
Protect Your Car’s Interior Today
Buy genuine car floor mats at Autostore.pk – Pakistan’s trusted online store for car accessories and genuine parts delivered to your door.