Why is Leather Still Wanted In Cars?

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
05/18/2016 at 19:04 • Filed to: Leather

This has been something that has made me wonder for quite some time now. Why are we still using leather? It’s awful in the heat, it’s terrible in the cold, most can’t withstand jeans and the motion of getting in and out of the vehicle. Think about all the extra technology that has to go into a seat just to make it livable for consumers! I know that cloth and microfiber are awful when it comes to water resistance, but what about other synthetic materials? After going through motorcycle gear, I have to say that synthetics have taken the lead when it comes to every aspect of comfort, durability, look, performance, and sustainability.

Much like the trend of wood trim becoming less desirable compared to the use of high-end plastics, aluminum, and carbon fiber, I wonder if we are at a point where synthetic seats are worth the premium. I know that the Germans were pushing their leatherettes for about a year in the US before not caring, and Lexus has the Nuluxe material, but I don’t see any reason not to promote the use of synthetics. Just about anything that involves real vs synthesized the synthesized item is becoming preferred.

Do you prefer an analog or a digital clock? When it comes to watches, of course you want analog because it shows craftsmanship, but now that digital watches have high resolution screens and adjust ability, I don’t analog being the standard anymore. If fake is becoming the preference everywhere else, why are cars exempt?

I mostly ask because it just seems so odd to me that so many electric cars have leather upholstery. It seems like an oxymoron to me when your marketing a product with a focus on sustainability. Plus considering that you can get leather any even the cheapest cars, is it really a luxury item at that point?

*I also wanted to point out how well Mercedes has been doing lately on the move away from leather, considering they were THE consumer leather brand for a while. Porsche should have on top of this though, I expect more from them than any other automaker.*

DISCUSSION (53)

derf > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:09

I have an analogue face on my digital watch, not quite sure how that fits in.

dogisbadob > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:12

Mercedes has been using vinyl successfully for decades, easily the best fake leather seats. They could probably make a really good business by selling/licensing the MBTex to other car companies.

Also, Nissan/Infiniti leather interiors hold up well. My 96 doesn’t look bad at all and better than many newer cars with under 100k. The wood is fake, though.

Wobbles the Mind > derf
05/18/2016 at 19:13

It’s the equivalent of leatherette, you have a synthetic material made to simulate a well known material. I think that’s what a lot of cars have been doing, but I think once these things stop imitate other materials they’ll be more sought after. Like being able to change your watch into 8 different kinds of faces or download/customize your own. All of sudden that Rolex looks antiquated.

Monkey B > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:16

because it’s better...feels better, looks better, smells better and synthetics are going to be much warmer than actual leather if that’s a concern.

jkm7680 > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:17

Why is cloth still wanted in cars then?

It stains easily and gets smelly.

CRider > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:17

Who doesn’t like getting second degree burns on their thighs? It shows you have class.

Wobbles the Mind > dogisbadob
05/18/2016 at 19:18

I never know about cars. The cloth seats in my Kia Rio after 8 years and 250,000 miles of my ass checks didn’t look like anything ever happened to them, not even jean marks. The only real give away of my time sitting the car was that the center of the headrest was five shades darker than the rest of the headrest (my head shading plus the sun fading the outsides). I didn’t have Jheri Curls or anything...

Takuro Spirit > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:19

I never liked leather. Until heated cloth was a thing (I think only Subaru was the only cheap mainstream car that had them in the 90's and early 2000's) I would only consider it for the comfort... but who likes sliding around in their car??

Roundbadge > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:19

We refused to consider leather when choosing our new car. The biggest reason was that we thought beagle claws wouldn’t be kind to it.

I will say that I didn’t mind it necessarily, when we rented a Passat in 2014 for a 1500-mile road trip. I also didn’t have to live with it long-term either.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:19

You're not often wrong, but you're very very very very incorrect here. Leather is softer. And I like to slide.

MultiplaOrgasms > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:20

I wouldn’t call the crap found in modern cars leather as such, proper thick heavy leather has been dead for a while.

Übel > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:21

Because synthetic leathers are worse and cloth sucks butthole.

Wobbles the Mind > Monkey B
05/18/2016 at 19:21

Everyone was in love with vinyl at one point, in fact most people would say buying an old car without it is silly. Tastes evolve and so does technology, I think synthetic leathers and foams have surpassed any well massaged Corinthian bull (because cows have stretch marks).

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:23

Because leather kicks ass.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:23

I have a digital analog watch (Moto 360). Meh, I like the leather seats in my GTO, but then I also like the half leather/ half alacantra seats in the BRZ Limited. So either way for me, but I fucking hate cloth seats.

RallyWrench > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:24

Because fuck cows, that’s why.

BReLp7dzHM3ytYsE > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:24

Because cloth is for peasants

Wobbles the Mind > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
05/18/2016 at 19:26

Ever since I got a memory foam mattress I trust that foam and coming covering it will do plenty well. I’m old school and even I have to say that if it takes Volvo 10 years to engineer each generation of their driver seats then I’m sure there are plenty of men and women far smarter than I that can make my butt feel like it’s on well lacquered marshmallow.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:26

Still? Why was it ever?

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:27

When you order a Tesla, the default upholstery is a vegan fabric—you have to upgrade to get leather.

Also, Mercedes has been doing their excellent MB-Tex haunted eternal faux leather for decades...I don't know why others couldn't do as well.

Wobbles the Mind > jkm7680
05/18/2016 at 19:27

I think it did get replaced by real poor leathers and faux-leathers. Alcantara is super cloth seats you pay extra for!

TractorPillow > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:28

Leather is awesome because it shows dominance over animals. How can we show dominance over the lesser peasants of the world that have cloth seats if we can’t even use real leather?

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:29

It smells so good.

Wobbles the Mind > Übel
05/18/2016 at 19:31

I do agree right now, but don’t let the auto industry make you believe synthetics aren’t incredible. They just don’t bother with it because no one is asking for the good stuff yet except the Germans (the country, not the automakers).

Ssfancyfresh > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:32

My last 3 cars have had leather interiors. I prefer the comfort, the easy clean up, and it doesn’t look worn out like that rat fuzz cloth that was popular in the 80's and 90's.

Modern cloth interiors feel like sitting in a stinky old burlap sack. Looking at you Toyota.

Wobbles the Mind > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
05/18/2016 at 19:32

I just don’t think Tesla needed to offer the real leather, they just need more options. It’s not an upgrade, it’s a fee!

Jack Does Cars > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:33

Well, Mercedes has been using MB-Tex with great success since the beginning of time, and people seem to like it.

Wobbles the Mind > RallyWrench
05/18/2016 at 19:34

I’m pretty sure that’s illegal outside of Southern Texas...

LeftOfTheDial > dogisbadob
05/18/2016 at 19:35

Agreed on this Look into mbtex, still being used to my knowledge. It’s reliability has been documented and it is loved.

Interesting angle, think of southwest airline seats. They didn't use (I'm guessing fake) leather for luxury. They found that it is much faster and easier to clean.

Wobbles the Mind > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
05/18/2016 at 19:36

That I give you! But now that we have in car perfume atomizers, I can see that smell plus a hint of burning fuel being piped in through the vents to match the exhaust note from your speakers!

RallyWrench > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:42

You wobbled your mind right into the gutter there.

hike > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:46

The synthetics just can’t compare to real quality leather. The Mercedes GLE is available with MB Tex synthetic, basic leather, and Nappa leather. While the regular leather and MB Tex are pretty similar, the softness and feel of the Nappa is just so nice.

And that aura of luxury is why it's offered on so many cars, even if the quality isn't really any better than the MB Tex type materials.

DynamicWeight > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 19:54

I thought leather was dumb until my mustang had it. Leather is a natural material that will conform to you over time. The seat wasn’t as comfy when I bought it as it was a year into ownership. After a while it totally formed to me and was so nice!

PorkchoPlissken > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 20:05

That's why y'all have goats.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 20:12

Hey, I also prefer wood in cars, so what do I know?

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 20:20

I have to agree, between high quality cloth vs. leather I take the cloth seats. I can’t find leather comfortable, even after being broken in.

TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 20:32

Feels superior, I even prefer a fine grain leather over alacantera. I have never been impressed by a cloth alternative

Wobbles the Mind > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
05/18/2016 at 20:37

I love wood interiors, especially now that they are doing open-pore in so many vehicles. Usually I argue the opposite of my interests. I’m a leather and wood grain man all day ev’ryday! Someone has to fight the unpopular fight though, or else it gets dull here.

Kinja'd!!!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 21:13

I wear an analog watch, most of the inside of my car is full of wood and leather, and I’d like to keep it that way.

GasolineLollipop191 > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 21:19

Think of how many cows are slaughtered daily to feed a nation of 330 million Americans. That’s a bunch of cow hides. I’m surprised everything isn’t covered in leather.

Monkey B > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 21:21

they are fine, but they aren’t as good as leather. Sit in a car with synthetic and one with genuine leather for a 4 hour road trip and you’ll notice. Only the synthetic with perforations will feel cooler. When seat foam wears it’s the top coat you see start cracking, the embossing smooths out and color wears off. If the leather is exposed for too long the material gets worn...almost suede looking where heavily worn. Synthetics tend to tear and cut easier when the support starts to fail. Leather is a tougher material than vinyl, when pinched and stretched continuously they will be harder to tear. The topcoat failing makes the leather appear weaker since the synthetics color doesn’t crack or wear down nor does the embossing wear as easily. Synthetics are also harder to slide around on and in my experience tend to have more issues with dye transfer than leather does.

A common misconception is it’s harder to take care of...that’s mainly because marketing tells people to buy shit soaps and convinces them to put conditioner on which only traps dirt. Woolite and water, 50-50 mix, evenly wet and scrub dry with a towel immediately. Do that from new and the seats stay clean. Leather in automobiles is top coated (unless you get a King Ranch Ford truck) so it should never be “conditioned” as the only thing that does is sit on the surface and trap dirt. Especially if too much is used as it can soften the water based top coat enough for dirt to get ground in. This can also happen with synthetics as they can have a top coat for that more authentic leather feel.

Mother nature is tough on any material you use in automobiles. You can get more mileage from synthetics sure, but aesthetics are the only thing they have made strides in. It’s still vinyl, it still smells like plastics as the VOC’s evaporate and can lose it’s elasticity and crack due to drying out just as leather can. It doesn’t have the benefit of leathers ability to hold less heat against your body nor is it as tough as leather as it can tear more easily. On top of that leather has a pleasing odor as a result of the oils from the tanning process smelling better than plastics. The more leather used in a car the less it smells like plastic and that lends the senses a more luxurious feeling.

That's gonna leave a mark! > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 21:26

Love leather. The feel, the smell, the look - even more when it’s broken in.

coqui70 > RallyWrench
05/18/2016 at 21:27

Because if you already ate the steak might as well enjoy the hide.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 21:37

It will work its way out when the ICE is phased out. People still think of the ultimate luxury car having leather, steel and wood but when its electric, carbon fiber and aluminum, the trimming will change accordingly

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 22:40

Because it’s the best option. I have two cars with the “special” upgraded leather package, Designo and Coach, and I wouldn't have them any other way. It smells awesome and has a smooth, buttery feel to it.

RallyWrench > coqui70
05/18/2016 at 23:14

Exactly this.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 23:19

It doesn’t give me a wedgie when I move around. Well made leather seats are very stable and eat to clean. Look at the seats from most any older Mercedes, I bet they’re still in great shape. It certainly lasts a lot longer than MBtex (don’t get me wrong that stuff is great too).

But I see your point, and most manufacturers cheap out on their leather so it lacks any durability whatsoever. Lexus leather feels like it will tear if you look at it wrong. And as for synthetic, I heard a customer and a salesman the other day straining their combined mental strength trying to figure out if a couple different cars they had looked at had leather or MBtex. They, and 99% (actual statistic pulled from an actual study conducted within my actual imagination) of people, have no idea they’re not the same thing and can’t tell them apart.

Stef Schrader > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 23:23

THANK YOU. I hate that it’s a “luxury” item, too. Leather burns my butt in the summer. If I want luxury, give me that velveteen material that was in Mom’s Ninety-Eight. So fuzzy and wonderful.

Give me cloth, though, seriously. No moocows or short-wearing human thighs were harmed in the making of the Lulzcer’s seats.

Stef Schrader > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 23:23

I think College Station is the only holdout.

Land_Yacht_225 > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
05/18/2016 at 23:24

Sweet! I’m actually in the 1% of something! Being a snob finally has a use!

Land_Yacht_225 > Wobbles the Mind
05/18/2016 at 23:38

What are you? Japanese? Do you want cloth seats in your Toyota Century because the creak of leather is undignified?!?

But in all seriousness, it’s more often just in the knowing. Leather is an optional extra, always has been. If your car could have it, but doesn’t, it’s like a blank black plastic switch...except your seats are upholstered in that constant reminder of mediocrity. Same thing with wood; nail wood to the dash and you instantly feel cultured. Obviously, there are gradations of leather. There’s the paper thin Korean stuff on one side, to the baseball mit grade stuff on Saabs and Volvos, and everything between. There are gradations of wood. It all gets back to the idea that you want your car to be like the inside of your house. Would you get your wing back chair upholstered in vinyl for maintenance sake, rather than leather? Would you want your TV on a laminated TV stand, or in a Brazilian cherry armoire?

It’s not needed, nor is it the best material, but it plays on what every consumer sees as luxury, not only in a car, but all decor.

Suby555 > TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo
05/19/2016 at 08:35

your argument is an argument.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Stef Schrader
05/19/2016 at 09:21

Watch it, Stef. That school over in Austin is the only one with a cow for their mascot.