Why are vinyl seats no longer an option?

[Brons2]

Back in the day lots of cars came with vinyl seats as the base option. I personally would rather have that then cloth, but the reason I often end up going to a higher trim level is just to get the leather or leatherette seats.

I noticed that if you get an Lightning Pro model, it comes with vinyl seats. My XLT Lighting has cloth seats. I would prefer vinyl. Found that this paradigm is also true for some HD trucks, if you get the fleet stripper model, it comes with vinyl seats.

When did we decide that cloth is better? I want vinyl back, it's easy to clean and long lasting. And cheap.

But anyway....

 

[JeffKeryk]

Tesla uses "Vegan leather", which is pretty nice. Our RX450h has "NuLux".
Fancy words for vynal.

 

[BobsArmory]

Tesla uses "Vegan leather", which is pretty nice. Our RX450h has "NuLux".
Fancy words for vynal.

Lots of cars these days are running fancy vinyl/synthetic coverings trying to market it as real leather.

 

[JavierH19]

They do they just don't label it as such because they can't charge you more for that vinyl if they don't call some fancy sounding fake leather.

 

[RooflessVW]

I hate vinyl. That and cheap leather are a plague, with cheap 'leather" being only slightly better.

 

[CKN]

Toyota does a great job of making vinyl look like leather in their mid trim models.

 

[rijndael]

My 07 Ranger had vinyl seats ... I scan still feel the back of my legs burning from the summer sun.

 

[JohnnyG]

Mercedes still uses MBtex, which is not leather, and not cloth, but it's a whole lot nicer than the old vinyl.

 

[k1xv]

I wish they still sold "rich Corinthian Leather".

 

[JHZR2]

Mercedes still uses MBtex, which is not leather, and not cloth, but it's a whole lot nicer than the old vinyl.

Old mb Tex is also nice. And lasts and looks better in 40 years than leather does.

I’d take MB Tex over anything else personally.

 

[GrumpyCat]

They do they just don't label it as such because they can't charge you more for that vinyl if they don't call some fancy sounding fake leather.

The "fake leather" is much much nicer than vinyl or leather.

 

[fantastic]

I'd imagine the "vinyl" materials used today hold up a lot better than yesterdays vinyl. Seems today you get cloth or modern day vinyl as options. Perhaps you can order some cheaper vinyl in a work truck trim still?

 

[iahawk]

my ex company vehicle, 2023 Ford Edge, had vinyl seats....Ford promoted it as a good thing. My current Pathfinder has 'leather' seats but the reality is about 80% of the seat is vinyl. Only the part your butt is on and your lower back touches is actually leather. It's a scam to call them leather seats. Count me in the camp that thinks vinyl sucks.

 

[E150GT]

My 2016 Mazda has vinyl. On a hot day I can get it and the smell takes me back to by elementary school days getting on the school bus.

 

[JavierH19]

The "fake leather" is much much nicer than vinyl or leather.

It's a slightly softer vinyl with a non shiny surface that's more matte in look and texture from what I've experienced on these new cars. Some have a leather pattern printed on them.

 

[JavierH19]

I hate vinyl. That and cheap leather are a plague, with cheap 'leather" being only slightly better.

Most vinyl sucks in terms of comfort but the ranger seats I had were perforated which I imagine is cheap to do with something like vinyl in mass production. They didn't feel too hot compared to older ford vinyl and it was both thicker yet softer feeling so it was actually nice compared to older ford vinyl was thinner and stiffer and not perforated but I never complained since it served its purpose as a work truck.

 

[Skippy722]

Because I will happily pay $1,000 for cloth seats. Then put a $20 blanket over them.

The blanket has since been repositioned to cover the entire bench seat area.

 

[Kira]

In my experience, vinyl seats' intrinsic 'slipperiness' was the best for cleanliness and entry/exit ease.
However, they were the opposite for "butt grip" whilst driving.
Since I drive conservatively, I'd be happiest with vinyl too.

And, a big +1 for cloth covering.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Toyota does a great job of making vinyl look like leather in their mid trim models.

I figured I would hate our "Softex" - which is Toyota's name. But we have dogs and no leather was offered. Turns out I love it. It doesn't get as hot - easy to clean. Guess we will see how it ages. Its 5 years now, but its garaged so everything still looks new.

 

[skyactiv]

Never liked vinyl, pleather and leather in any vehicle or home furniture I’ve sat on. I don’t even like leather wallets and have an Allett wallet.