Which Is Better: Cloth or Leather Seats?

When we think of cars’ upholstering, there will be obviously arguments on both sides. Leather seats are easier to clean and carry the identity or luxury. Conversely, cloth seats are lighter and essentially more affordable. But what is the best option for you? You must take your context and particularities into consideration before making your choice.

First of all, ask yourself: what is my profile as a driver or car owner? How many people are usually in the car? What is my level of care for the interior of this vehicle? This assessment will help you evaluate the features of each material before you can make a decision.

How does a seat that is wrapped in cloth compare to a leather seat? Let’s break it down and see the pros and cons considering the users’ experience.

All About Cloth Seats

What Is Good In Seats Made Of Fabric?

The Bright Side: Grip And Budget

There are a number of positive aspects of choosing cloth seats for your vehicle. Firstly, they are generally a more affordable option. That happens because they are usually synthetic fabrics that are manufactured on an industrial scale, as opposed to leather, which is sourced from nature.

Secondly, cloth seats offer certain types of comfort. They will not stick to your skin in case of warm weather. Furthermore, it is unlikely that the fabric from your clothes will slide on the cloth of the seat. Both fabrics will probably have a bit of friction which will prevent sliding. Also, cloth seats are usually perforated and this makes them more breathable. So, you are less likely to sweat when in contact with it.

Cloth seats also have low maintenance requirements. As long as you vacuum your car regularly to get rid of any food crumbs or other residues, your seat should stay in good condition. It is also recommended to steam cloth seats periodically to remove dirt.

What You Must Consider If Not Choosing Leather

Now there are a few downsides to choosing cloth to wrap the seats of your car.

Because of the structure of the fabric, they will stain and absorb any spills very easily and quickly. For example, if you spill juice on a cloth seat, it will likely absorb the liquid before you can pick up a napkin to clean it. And, depending on the color of the juice, it will also leave a stain.

There is one interesting aspect to consider, especially for car lovers. When you have cloth seats, that well-known new car smell wears off really fast. It can be gone as early as when the car has traveled only 400 miles.

Additionally, cloth seats certainly do not look as luxurious as leather seats. Of course, some cloth seats look better than others, with different types of fabric, but none will convey the luxury of leather seats.

Cloth seats can be more comfortable if thinking of heat or sliding, but once the temperature is right and the car is not rapidly swerving, they can be really “scratchy” on the skin. It certainly does not feel comfortable to have the polyester fabric in contact with your skin. Then, if the fabric is softer and feels nicer on the skin, it might scratch easily and be prone to rip.

Another important disadvantage of choosing cloth seats is the resale value of your vehicle. Having seats that are not leather will lower the amount you can ask for your car when selling it.

Leather Seats On The Stage

Why Is Leather So Famously Preferred

Advantages Of The Natural Material

Leather is the most luxurious material to use for car seats. It will impart a posh and well-finished look to the vehicle. Upon entering a car with leather seats you feel like you are going to have a next-level ride.

Apart from aesthetics, leather seats have another great advantage: cleanliness. Leather is much easier to clean from any spills. You just need a napkin and you can wipe it right off, even if you are not that quick. This is because the leather will not absorb liquids.

Additionally, leather seats are more soft and supple to the touch. As soon as you touch it, it feels like the car owner went that extra mile to get excellent comfort for their guests. Speaking of miles, car lovers will be happy to know that leather seats carry the beloved “new car smell” a lot longer than their cloth counterparts.

Last but not least, your car’s resale value will always be higher by choosing leather seats. The luxury imparted by leather-wrapped seats is unique and unbeatable. Synthetic materials have evolved greatly over the decades, but they still do not match high-quality natural finishings.

Things To Consider When Making Your Decision

There is no such thing as a perfect choice, and it is no different with your car upholstering. Cons of choosing leather seats over cloth seats include cost, “sticking” and relatively high maintenance.

It is important to highlight that leather seats are inevitably more costly than cloth seats. This is because leather is a natural material and its processing involves many different steps, each with associated costs.

Secondly, most of them are not perforated  – when they are, they have these little dots on them. On a hot day, you will sweat and stick to the seats. So, they are not breathable. Also, you will be more prone to slide around a lot more because there is little friction between your clothes and the seat.

Lastly, leather seats are harder to maintain: you need special products. If you use only water, you will end up stretching the leather. This creates stretch marks and eventually cracks. With time, leather will not necessarily hold up like cloth seats, unless maintained with care.

Luxury Ground Transportation

Leather Seats And Superior Comfort

In the luxury chauffeured transportation business, comfort is a number one priority. In that sense, seats are predominantly leather due to the amenity they bring.

At Vegas VIP Limousine, car maintenance is also a top priority. Before every ride, chauffeurs perform a thorough cleaning of the vehicle. Periodically, cars are subject to deep cleaning and small repairs if necessary. Get to know our fleet and make sure to book your next limousine ride.