A heated steering wheel has a heating element (8) that provides a uniform distribution of heat throughout the rim of the steering wheel. The heating element is a thin fabric woven made form nylon coated with silver and has a constant temperature coefficient. A foam layer (9) surrounds the heating element and prevents the leather wrapping from being uneven due to the presence of a bus bar. The heating element can also be used in a steering wheel having a wood veneer shell.
