To leather or not to leather? Decide for your car

Leather interior in a car has always been assimilated with luxury, wealth and authenticity.

But, are they all they’re talked up to being? Is the alternative cloth or upholstery more superior?

We’ve put together some pros and cons of a leather interior and, with that information, you can decide for yourself whether leather is what you want in your car.

PROS:

+ HARD TO STAIN:

Leather can be stained, but it’s much more resilient than its cloth counterpart when generic stains like earth and liquids come in contact.

Because of its soft and smooth surface, leather cleans super easy: suck up dirt and wipe off residue.

+ REDUCES ALLERGENS:

Because dust, dirt and debris have trouble clinging to leather, you can breathe easier.

+ SMELLS GOOD:

Not everyone enjoys the smell of leather, but what people might not realise is that leather doesn’t absorb odour — it has a smell which some refer to as ‘new car smell’.

+ COMFORTABLE:

The thickness of the leather is quite silky and soft which is great for cushioning your tush.

+ RESALE RESPECT:

Leather = $$$ when it comes to selling a car.

Because it’s in demand, leather tends to be worth more when put back on the market, provided it is well-maintained.

CONS:

- EXPENSIVE:

The obvious negative of having leather car seats is the sheer price.

In high-end cars, the luxury of leather is quite typical.

In the average car, you can be confident that having leather interior will be an upgrade.

- TEMPERATURE:

If you’ve ever sat in a car left in the sun and it hurts to touch the seat belt and steering wheel, leather seats probably aren’t a good choice.

The material will absorb the heat and make sitting uncomfortable or even painful.

You could upgrade to climate-controlled seating, but this can be financially exorbitant.

- MAINTENANCE:

Easily cleaned, leather is not as easy to maintain.

Over time, the accumulation of sweat, dust, spills and crumbs will weed their way into the seams and pores of the leather.

Without vigilant care, this will begin to show and can harden and cause cracks in the leather.

To fix and repair leather seating, it can require a heavy wallet.