Which seats are best, leather vs. cloth?

Leather vs. cloth seats: Pros and cons

When choosing between cloth or leather seats for your car, consider factors like comfort, cost, maintenance, and climate.

Pros of leather seats

• Easier to clean: Leather seats don't absorb messes and spills as readily as cloth, especially if you've properly treated and cared for them. It's easier to wipe up a high-quality leather surface when something happens.
• Doesn't hold stains and odors: If a stain or odor sets into the fabric, it can be difficult or impossible to remove.
• High-quality fabric: For some, well-made leather seats are worth it for the tactile experience of sitting in the car.
• Durability: Leather seats generally edge out cloth seats, assuming you perform the proper care and maintenance. If durability is a top concern, consider leather seats.

Cons of leather seats

• Require more maintenance: To keep the leather in good shape, you'll need to clean it regularly and treat it with leather conditioners.
• Higher cost for maintenance: Regular maintenance costs time and money that you wouldn't have to spend on cloth seats, which usually only need to be vacuumed and washed.
• Transmits extreme temperatures: When driving in extreme winter and summer temperatures, leather seats get uncomfortably cold or hot.

Do leather seats add value to a car?

If you're buying a new car, you can expect to pay more for a car with leather seats, as they are a premium option on most models. If you're selling your car or considering an aftermarket upgrade, you may increase the value of your car by installing leather seats.

Much of the added value depends on how well you maintain the leather seats. With proper care and the right buyer, leather seats could fetch a higher price than cloth seats. If you're buying a used car with leather seats, consider the condition and authenticity of the leather before agreeing to a higher price.

Does car upholstery impact insurance rates?

Your insurance rate depends on a variety of factors, including your location, driving history, and the make and model of your vehicle. Because leather seats tend to come at more expensive trim levels, the cost to insure the higher cost vehicle may affect your insurance rate. Learn more about what factors affect car insurance rates.

Should I get leather or cloth seats?

It depends on your budget, lifestyle, priorities, and what other features you want in a car. Most car brands offer cloth seats in their base trims, and car trim levels offer leather seats as an upgrade. Luxury brands may offer either partial leather or leatherette, a faux leather made of vinyl. Leatherette is sometimes used in base models, while automakers offer real or full leather as an upgrade.

When buying a new car, look at the trim levels and options packages for the car make and model you want. Before opting for leather seats, consider whether you enjoy all the other features included in the trim level. Consider the options package and weigh the package cost against the cost of aftermarket leather seats from a reputable company. Find out whether insurance covers car seat replacement.

If you're buying a used car, aftermarket leather seats can widen your search. If your perfect vehicle doesn't have the leather seats you want, an aftermarket parts installation can upgrade your seats.