Don't like leather - is it just me ?

[composimmonite]

The height of interior luxury is regarded as leather and wood. Whilst I love wood trim leather seats, steering wheel, gearknob etc all make me cringe at the thought of being the skin of a dead animal. Yes - I'm a strict vegi (57 years since birth !) but don't preach to other people and if they like leather then I don't have a problem with that but can't accept it myself. Accepted I wear leather shoes because there isn't a viable / affordable alternative but otherwise no leather jackets, belts, furniture, bags, or whatever are in my life.
When I had my XJ6 I was lucky to get one with velour interior and to me that was far more luxurious than cold, hard, animal skin !
Anyone else dislike leather interiors ?

[adam73bgt]

Japanese cars are typically leather averse I believe. Cloth or velour is seen as a more luxury material for seats there?

Pic of Toyota Century interior

[THE_Liam]

I love the look of it but for comfort I prefer a nice, soft velour, preferably in some horrible shade of brown or blue

[MrSpeedy]

I do like the feel of sitting in leather seats (Giggedy) but I must admit, the extreme temperature differences that you can get are rather offensive sometimes.

The windows on the Benz are tinted, so heating up isn't a problem, but they can be a little bracing in the winter!

[grifterkid]

I remember having an old Rover P6 with leather trim and I remember the differences in temperatures being quite extreme at times...!!! I'm not adverse to leather trim in the right settings though...

However, I seem to recall that on Rolls-Royces (Silver-Shadows at least) leather was the 'standard' trimming material whereas velour was the one you had to request...

[MiataMark]

I like leather as it does look good but it does have it's downsides in hot or cold weather. Does depend on the type of leather, that in the Alfa is great. I can understand why you wouldn't want it if you're a vegetarian.

Best compromise is Leather with alacantra centres (as in my Discovery although they're got seat covers which kind of defeats the object).

Mark

[sharkattack]

Not fussed on leather either. I'd rather do without. Horribly old fashioned as well and a bit tragic that we can't come up with anything more 'desirable'. Velour is a bit naff though isn't it?

Don't like the idea of all those animals being skinned to upholster cars either. But then again, I eat meat so should I be glad it all gets used instead of going in the bin? What a quandary!

[joem83]

It depends on the car for me, I purposely bought my gti with cloth as I hate how naff VW leather looks and I think the gti should have the tartan it was designed to come with.

When it comes to big luxury cars, it gas to be leather.

[VIP]

There's an awful lot of animal in a car besides leather fixtures and fittings.

[PandaSelecta]

Being a Vegan i don't like leather, but also find it's cold in winter, hot in summer, sticks to your skin when its very hot outside, and squeaks like you have let one rip

Also a pain to fix once it becomes torn.

[TurboDieselWeasel]

Leather is mostly for pub points

My car came with it - I'm not going to change it. But would I have ordered it with leather? Probably not... In summer it's hot, in winter it's cold and you need to be carefull with it. And take care of it every now and then. On the other hand - the smell is nice.

Or in short: whatever. If it's there that's fine, if not - that's fine just s well.

[chrissyb]

I love velour in old saabs and M-tex 'faux leather' in Mercs.

Leather is better than vinyl as far as temp changes go. I had a Mkiii escort estate with vinal seats in 1982. Used to burn you to death in Summer!

[randywanger_]

I love the fine Nappa leather in my new S line Audi. Wouldnt have cloth in my daily runner.

I eat meat too for the record.

What I don't like is leather 'racing' bucket seats, they look naff to me.

[fr€$h&m1nt¥]

This is turning into a veggie amnesty

veggie (or pescetarian to be complete) since 2001 here and have the same thoughts.

Bought pleather fitted seat covers for the cube so i got the luxury look without the sacrifice.

Only catch is that the model i want of the next car i want is leather seats only!

[sharkattack]

If you buy a big German car brand new can you even spec non-leather interior? If you want a new M or AMG for example, do they have a fabric option?

Not that I'll ever have to make that decision.

[charliecroker]

If I had a choice, and I generally don't with the budgets I find myself in, I'd go for (regarding seats) leather sides and alcantara center panels, why? Because the leather helps you slide into your seat and is hard wearing on the edges but alcantara for the center panel because it holds you in place securely and is warm in the winter and not sweaty in the summer. Something like the seats below;

[charliecroker]

Edit double post = Delete.

[berendd]

When it comes to seats velours, alcantara and leather are fine with me, but steering wheels, leather only...

all other materials on the wheel get sweaty and slippery in my hands..

[skoda_norman]

Half leathers - heated ones at that; that is the way forward.

[Killbill]

I have to agree with the above, full black leather is awful to sit on when hot/cold.
Half leather is a good compromise, although i do like velour.