Sitting Pretty: Leather vs Fabric Interiors
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Leather interiors are quite high-maintenance, but so luxurious and easy to clean. |
Sitting
Pretty: Leather vs Fabric Interiors
It’s easy to
assume that leather interiors are the best because that’s what you’ll find in
luxury and premium vehicles across the globe. But is that reason enough to
assume that it’s better than fabric interiors? We’re taking a look at some of
the advantages and disadvantages of each of these interiors. Regardless of the
verdict, we advise our readers to choose the option that they love most,
regardless of what everyone else says.
Appearance
We thought
we might as well make the first criterium a controversial one. There is no way
to determine which option looks better, because the answer changes depending on
who you ask. Some people might prefer the sleek, smooth look of leather, while
others love bold print or intricately stitched fabric. No one can deny that supple leather seats look
luxurious, but there is often not as big a variety of patterns and colours as
fabric seats.
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Fabric seats are more affordable and durable than leather. |
Cost
Leather is
not cheap. And if it is, it’s often not durable. This is because leather has to
undergo treatment that fabric doesn’t, takes longer than fabric to make and is
much harder to work with. All of these factors contribute to the costs of
decking your ride out with genuine leather, which requires constant care and
maintenance that you might not be so happy to pay for. More often than not,
what you’re actually getting is a leatherette, which is faux leather. That
being said, many dealerships list it as leather.
If you’d
like the “leather” look without the price tag, you could opt for vinyl seats.
This is also an option for those with ethical concerns regarding leather
upholstery. Vinyl looks and feels similar to leather, but is not as durable or
long-lasting.
Fabric
upholstery is more affordable and is usually what you’ll find in entry level
cars. That being said, it’s definitely not always cheap. Some luxury brands
like BMW and Audi offer models with both leather and fabric interior options.
Feel
Leather
seats (and we mean genuine leather seats) feel amazingly soft and
smooth, while leatherette seats can feel brittle. These seats are unfortunately
very prone to being uncomfortable due to temperature changes – they can either
become very cold or very hot, which definitely takes away from the comfort of
your drive.
This means
you need to take your usual climate conditions into consideration when choosing
your upholstery. In colder climates you might have to get seat warmers, which
will add to the cost of your vehicle.
Fabric seats
are usually soft and supportive – there isn’t much more to be said about it!
Fabric seats are also not as susceptive to temperature changes as leather
seats.
Practicality
Leather
seats win out on this one. Not only are they easier to clean, they also might
help you stay healthier all year round. This is because, unlike fabric seats,
leather isn’t porous and doesn’t allow for hair, dust or pollen to settle into
it. You could take your pet for a ride, give your seats a quick wipe down and
no one would be the wiser. Keep in mind that you definitely should consider
getting a seat cover (even a temporary one) if you plan on transporting a pet.
If you don’t use a pet carrier, which we always recommend, then your pet might
not be able to have good grip on the smooth seats. Their claws or nails might
also damage your seats.
Read: How To Roadtrip With Pets
Read: How To Roadtrip With Pets
Fabric seats
have a reputation of trapping dirt and dust even after short use. Mud and dirt
might even need a deep shampoo, so fabric seats aren’t the best option if you
plan on off-roading or road-tripping with kids/pets. You might even need to
treat your seats with a stain guard every now and then.
Maintenance
Leather
seats lose by a long shot. Real leather needs much more maintenance than fabric
seats do. You’ll have to seal, treat and clean it often to retain its soft and
shiny look. If you don’t take care of your leather seats, they can crack and
peel, which looks and feel horrible. It might also affect the resale value of
your car.
Fabric
seats, while being harder to deep clean, don’t require much other maintenance.
What’s the verdict?
We recommend
that you keep the above in mind when you’re shopping for a new car,
but you
should make the final decision based on your personal preference and needs.
Whether you
prefer affordable and comfortable fabric, or the luxurious feel (and high
maintenance) of leather, then go for it!
Regardless
of which option you choose, when you buy a pre-owned vehicle, make sure that
the upholstery is not damaged, stained or otherwise imperfect. As long as you keep
your car’s interior clean and well-maintained, you’re in the clear.
Let us know
which option you love or hate by commenting below. We’d love to hear from you!
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