Leather

[tbirderic]

I too prefer cloth over leather or other types of synthetic upholsteries striving to mimic natural hides, but regretably if I were to buy a luxury car I don't even have the choice. It does appear that leather has vanquished cloth in the all-important battle of public preception. Even mainstream brands routinely relegate cloth upholstery to lower trim-levels, while top drawer models are usually leather exclusive. It's a sign of the times when an $18,000 Sonic LTZ can only be had with fake leather, while the cheaper models get by with cloth seats.

Wasn't always like this. Back in the 70's and 80's, Cadillac and Lincoln customers were offered a wide variety of choices in cloth or leather, (Medici Velour anyone?) and Mercedes offered the option, rarely seen stateside, of finely woven velour. So what happened? Why did things change? A car is not luxurious simply because it has leather seats.

[Xenon]

If the leather is a good quality, and lasts a long I'd rather have that. While I prefer cloth in terms of feel, a good leather will be able to stand up to more abuse than a cloth seat can. Leather cleans up easier, doesn't stain as easily, and it doesn't retain smells as easily as a cloth seat will. However, leather seats do make for a terrible material for a racing seat...

[XP300]

If the leather is a good quality, and lasts a long I'd rather have that. While I prefer cloth in terms of feel, a good leather will be able to stand up to more abuse than a cloth seat can. Leather cleans up easier, doesn't stain as easily, and it doesn't retain smells as easily as a cloth seat will. However, leather seats do make for a terrible material for a racing seat...

We have a winner here. In the days when I coached little league, leather was so much easier to clean. Even the most careful kids or adults have accidents and I never had any problem when a spill occurred. A little leather cleaner with a soft cloth and the seats were as good as new. If I look back at all the cars I've owned, I never had a car with cloth seats.

[calgaryhhr]

I prefer leather but I wouldn't be against purchasing a vehicle with high quality cloth seats. I actually really like the cloth used by VW. The cloth in our Golf is quite nice. From what I can remember, it has been a while since I looked, Volvo's also have very nice cloth seats.

[Canuck]

Mercedes will happily supply you vinyl or cloth I like leather seats though, but should be heated

Hey Mercedes is going to be mad at you. That vinyl is called leatherette, which sounds so much more upscale.

http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/02/04/le...ld-you-choose/

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Hey Mercedes is going to be mad at you. That vinyl is called leatherette, which sounds so much more upscale.

http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/02/04/le...ld-you-choose/

They'd still be mad at you too! It's MB-Tex and only MB-Tex

That said, MB-Tex is probably the best seat covering. With zero maintenance, it still manages to be decently soft and comfortable decades later. Regular vinyl seats always crack split and tear, cloth wears out and gets "thin" or tears, leather especially if neglected cracks and delaminates... but MB-Tex, it always looks the same. The rock of ages It doesn't get too hot like vinyl either.

[alex725]

I have had cloth and leather and much prefer the leather. I never have to worry about it staining or smelling (a plus for a smoker) and I find it to be more comfortable on long drives. Plus the new cloth used today isn't as nice as the stuff they used a few years ago.

[Lowboy]

Plus the new cloth used today isn't as nice as the stuff they used a few years ago.

This is my biggest complaint.

[Inkmaster]

I think for a luxury car....leather is a must.

But, it would be nice to purchase all/most options in a vehicle along with cloth seats. For example, in my pickup, I wanted a power seat because of the height adjustment, well I could only have it if I took leather.

[Jesda]

I dislike cloth because it causes my shirt to bunch up in the back. I do like the smell of quality leather though, especially in BMWs, Jaguars, and Cadillacs.