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