Cloth vs leather interiors

[Imported]

I really don't mind cloth or leather. Some packages I want in a car include leather, some don't.

I will say that the leather on my 228i is miles above the leather (pleather? I don't remember) that was in my G35 and the pleather/vinyl in the Prius.

 

[MongGrel]

Cloth as it's better in the heat of FL all day long in heat myself at work.

I had the option of putting leather in the Mazda 3 when I bought it pretty cheap, thought about it and left the all ready nice cloth seats in it.

 

[herm0016]

Cloth, mostly because leather sucks when it's super cold or hot and the dogs tear it up.

 

[NutBucket]

For those that like leather, do you have full leather or 'leather seating surfaces?'

The leather seating surfaces may last, but it's been my experience that the other, non-leather parts will eventually crack.

I can't afford cars that have full leather interiors. We'll see how the non-leather areas age. But I do have covered parking at work and will soon have the garage cleaned up at home. That should help a lot.

 

[RU482]

Cloth, mostly because leather sucks when it's super cold or hot and the dogs tear it up.

Do cloth seats have seat heaters? I haven't seen one, and the seat heaters in the winter are one of my favorite things about my car!

 

[jlee]

My Subaru had heated cloth seats.

 

[NutBucket]

Yeah, Subaru may be the only company that does heated cloth.

 

[NoCreativity]

Yeah, Subaru may be the only company that does heated cloth.

Chrysler also does heated cloth. I think GM may as well.

I also prefer cloth over leather, though if I had remote start with heated leather I could live with it.

 

[vi edit]

If I didn't have kids I'd be fine with cloth. But leather just cleans up so much easier.

Several brands do heated cloth. Ford Does in many of theirs (and for cheap...$400 winter pack). GM does in many of their option packs. VW does in the Golf/GTI's.

I don't find leather being the main factor in having a hot seat in the summer. For me it's more the function of having a heated seat and that metal grid on your back and butt. That seams to soak up more heat than a typical seat and will really scorch your backside if it's been sitting out cooking in the sun for hours.

 

[PricklyPete]

Yeah, Subaru may be the only company that does heated cloth.

In the US maybe...but plenty do overseas.

 

[michal1980]

My Subaru had heated cloth seats.

Yeah, Subaru may be the only company that does heated cloth.

my mkv rabbit did.

 

[SearchMaster]

My kids play baseball. Baseball players get really dirty pants. With leather, the dirt wipes off. With cloth, it takes a lot more work.

I've had two cars with leather, and more than that with cloth. I don't dislike cloth but the downsides of leather have never bothered me as much as the downsides of cloth.

 

[draknon]

I've always preferred leather seats. The main reason is that I'm a big dude (300lbs) and it is much easier for me to move around on leather vs cloth. It makes reaching for my wallet or adjusting my seat alot easier.

 

[jjsbasmt]

Leather, because of the feel, the smell, durability, and easy to maintain.

 

[KentState]

I prefer leather and heated/ventilated helps a lot. Also, a tan interior will greatly help with reducing heat. On my C7 Vette, I went with the suede inserts just to add to the heat issues during the summer. That alone made the seats in the CTS-V more than bearable during the summer when getting into the car.

As others said, it also is easy to clean up from spills and dirt. Had a couple small accidents when picking up milk shakes when the wife was pregnant

 

[JulesMaximus]

My Subaru had heated cloth seats.

I owned a 1971 SAAB 99LE that had heated cloth seats. That was my first car.

 

[ElFenix]

cooled leather > all

 

[mmntech]

Yeah, Subaru may be the only company that does heated cloth.

KIA and Hyundai do as well.

IMO, cloth is more comfortable, especially in the height of summer and winter when you're not burning/freezing your arse. Leather is definitely easier to clean though. You can literally spend an hour trying to vacuum pet hair out of a cloth seat and still not get half of it.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

I'm wishy washy between the two.

However in my Prius C, it has the SofTex (tm) and looks absolutely brand new after almost 3 years of ownership. Doesn't feel like leather, but doesn't feel like cheap imitation leather either. Kind of hard to describe.

If stretched, returns back to its original shape shortly. Plus is significantly cooler than leather or pleather.

I wouldn't pay more for it as an option, but is an interesting alternative.

 

[NAC]

I prefer cloth for all the reasons the OP listed - basically it is more comfortable in all situations. And it is cheaper.

My wife wants leather because it doesn't stain. And I think a well done leather interior does look and feel better than a cloth interior. I'm not fond of cheap leather however, and once it starts cracking - well it is dreadful.

Pros and cons both ways it seems.

Moral of the story - get whatever you want - but if you get leather then treat it regularly!!!

 

[NutBucket]

O.k.I get it. Lots of cars have heated cloth seats

 

[solsa]

cloth is not a great idea in my opinion. it's hard to keep clean and it looks cheap to me. i never sweated in a car. there is the ac.

 

[Hail The Brain Slug]

In my experience, a car that has cloth seats but leather as an option always has nicer seats with the leather. The leather in my Cruze is great compared to the cloth, although the cloth was not too bad. One of the leather panels under the driver's butt looks pretty worn, though, and I might have a problem with it in the future. I try to keep them clean and conditioned to prevent that.

 

[bradly1101]

Leather went out with the Chrysler Cordoba and its "rich, Corinthian leather."

 

[XavierMace]

But Corinth is famous for it's leather.