What is the best material for the inside of a car?

Leather Car Seats

The Pros of Leather Car Seats

For some, leather is the go-to seat material for that premium feel and finish. It’s durable, comfortable and visually appealing, and is fairly easy to maintain with the right products. Here are the pros of leather seats in a nutshell:

• Premium feel – climb into any car with leather seats, and you’ll immediately feel the difference. Leather feels, smells and looks expensive, giving your car a top-of-the-range finish.
• Comfortable – leather is a highly-supportive material, meaning that, when paired with the right foam cushioning, it makes the most comfortable and supportive seat choice.
• Durable and simple to maintain – sure, leather needs a little TLC to keep it looking its best, but provided you have the right products, it doesn’t take that much looking after. All you need is a leather care cream to keep them clean and nourished.

The Cons of Leather Car Seats

Leather may be top drawer when it comes to car seat materials, but it’s not without its drawbacks. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense material that can deal with day-to-day wear and tear, it may not be for you. Here are some of the downsides to be aware of:

• Expensive – leather car seats can add a couple of hundred quid to the price of your car, and are among the most expensive optional extras on most models. That said, cars with leather seats will hold their value well.
• Maintenance – granted, we just touched on the ease of maintaining leather car seats, but if you aren’t one for regularly cleaning and looking after your car, leather seats may be like a rod for your own back. Because it’s natural, leather needs regular nourishment to stop it drying out and cracking. It can also stain quite easily.
• Difficult to repair – puncturing your leather seats with something sharp like your car keys could prove a costly mistake to put right. Because leather is pulled tight over the frame of the seat, it’s surprisingly easy to damage, and things like holes and scratches can be expensive and difficult to repair.
• Not vegan-friendly – leather is made from animal hide, mean it is not suitable for people living a vegan lifestyle.

Best For

Leather car seats are best for those who take pride in their car. Premium and durable, you’ll need to look after it regularly to keep it looking its best, but if you enjoy that sort of thing, leather car seats are a sound investment.

Learn how to take care of leather car seats like a pro

Vinyl Car Seats

The Pros of Vinyl Car Seats

Vinyl may sound like a cheaper option when it comes to car seats, but modern versions of the material look and feel much better than you might think. Here are some of the benefits of vinyl car seats:

• Easy to maintain – where leather takes some maintenance, vinyl is the exact opposite. Made from durable plastic, vinyl is a doddle to maintain and will continue to look good-as-new no matter how many miles you cover.
• Simple to clean – if your kids make a mess on every car journey, or you regularly take your four-legged friend on family outings, vinyl seats can be a godsend. Wipeable and stain-resistant, it’s the perfect material for those who constantly find themselves wiping up spills.
• Environmentally-friendly – some vinyl furnishings are made from recycled plastics, making them incredibly environmentally-friendly.

The Cons of Vinyl Car Seats

As you might expect, vinyl isn’t without its pitfalls. Here are some of the need-to-knows before deciding on this type of seat material:

• Easy to damage – vinyl is easier to damage than leather, so don’t go near it with any sharp objects. This can be a real problem if you regularly fold down the rear seats to put big items in the boot, as any sharp edges can easily scratch or damage the seats.
• Cheaper feel – vinyl is much cheaper than leather, and sometimes it can show. While modern vinyl seat coverings do look better, they still don’t have the same look and feel as leather.
• Hot in the summer – opt for black vinyl seats, and you’ll find they get absorb loads of heat in the summer. The material isn’t as breathable as leather, either, which can be uncomfortable on long hot journeys.

Best For

Vinyl is a decent all-rounder, offering good durability and being extremely easy to clean. Ideal for parents with messy kids or those with the family dog in tow, choose vinyl for easy day-to-day maintenance and the option to add a touch of personality to your new car.

Fabric Car Seats

The Pros of Fabric Car Seats

Modern fabric car seats are made from materials like nylon and polyester, which offer a range of benefits and are surprisingly easy to maintain. Below, we take a look at some of the plus points you can expect from this hugely popular seat material:

• Comfortable, whatever the weather – both vinyl and leather car seats can get very hot in the summer months, but you won’t find this as much of an issue with fabric materials. Nylon and polyester are breathable whatever the weather, and also offer decent support and comfort.
• Affordable – fabric is the most affordable option for car seats, with most manufacturers offering this type of material as standard on its basic models. So, it’s a good way to save.
• Durable – modern fabric materials like nylon are more durable than you’d expect, with an easy-to-clean finish that you can wipe and vacuum.

The Cons of Fabric Car Seats

Given it’s the cheapest option for car seats, fabric does have its downsides. Before you settle for this material, here are a couple of things that might make you want to upgrade to something like leather:

• Less premium feel – while some manufacturers have spent time making their fabric seats look reasonably appealing, the material still doesn’t match leather or vinyl in the looks department.
• Prone to stains… – though the introduction of materials like nylon and polyester have made fabric seats easier to clean and maintain, they’re still the most prone to stains and discolouring, especially lighter coloured options.
• …and bad odours – fabric materials tend to absorb moisture and bad odours more than other materials, so you’ll need to maintain your seats regularly to make sure they stay looking, smelling and feeling their best.

Best For

Fabric car seats are an affordable option, depending on the manufacturer, fabric seats can look pretty decent, but if you have a dog or your kids like to eat and drink on long journeys, you may want something that’s a little more durable and stain-resistant.

Already have fabric car seats? Check out our in-depth guide on taking care of interior upholstery.

Whatever car seat material you choose, you can count on Simoniz to help you take care of your car’s interior. Our car care range has quality products for maintaining leather and upholstery. For more information, visit the homepage today.

Likely the area that gets the most use in your car and contributes most significantly to the style and comfort of your vehicle is the car seats. From clean beige interiors to sleek black and pops of red, your car seat material does a lot for your car's experience, but with that daily love comes a bit of wear and tear.

For many, the material of car seats can be a make or break factor when choosing a vehicle. From the texture and comfort, to how easy it is to clean with kids or pets, the various car seat material types are essential to your car's overall feel.

From leather and vinyl to faux leather, polyester, and Alcantara, there's a wide range of types of car seat materials to choose from. Whether you want to make your car's interior more "you", or your seats are in need of repair, our team at Albo Restoration is proud to offer our services to restore your auto upholstery to its initial or preferred look.

To better understand the various types of car seat materials for your car upholstery, we are breaking down the pros and cons of each below.

1. Leather

When it comes to the car seat material most commonly used in a premium or luxury vehicle, leather car seats are the go-to.

Leather seats are one of the most common car seat materials for a reason. The leather look is perfect for luxury vehicles, with a versatile finish that suits a wide range of car seat types and styles. Common in both everyday and luxury cars, leather upholstery offers a luxurious feel, with major durability benefits. Equipped to handle the wear and tear of everyday use, real leather seats have all the durability, style, and comfort many drivers want.

Pros

• A leather seat gives your car a luxurious look.
• Leather car seats are visually appealing.
• A leather seat is durable.
• The leather material is easy to maintain with the right cleaning products.

Cons

• Leather materials require routine maintenance to last longer.
• In the case of wear and tear, repairing leather is more challenging.
• A leather car seat can absorb heat in the summer.

2. Vinyl

Another common material used for car upholstery is vinyl. A popular car seat material, vinyl is an ideal option for car owners as it is easy to clean and maintain. Typically, vinyl seats come in a number of different colors, making them a great option for a range of different vehicles, whether for commercial or private use. Vinyl car seats are very durable and offer a unique fabric finish that stands out from other car seat materials.

Pros

• Vinyl car seats are an attention grabber.
• This seat material is cheaper, saving money while offering a leathery look.
• Vinyl seat materials are stain resistant and easy to maintain.
• Some are made of recycled plastic for an environmentally-friendly option.

Cons

• Vinyl car seats may look similar to leather, but they do not hold up as well.
• A vinyl car seat can absorb heat, so in the summer, the car seat material feels quite hot.

3. Faux Leather

Another of the top contenders for best car seat material is faux leather. This faux seat material, also referred to as "leatherette", is a synthetic material made to look and feel like leather, but at a lower price.

Faux leather is a common material used as it offers good durability, is easy to clean, and is resistant to wear. That being said, faux leather is not very breathable, so it will feel hot when it's hot and cold when it's cold.

With a beautiful and comfortable finish, leatherette is a budget-friendly choice for those that want a cost-effective yet durable car seat that has better cushioning than vinyl seats. Plus, it's free of harsh chemicals that can be irritants to the skin.

Pros

• Faux leather is one of the more durable fabric options.
• It's dust resistant, preventing dust mites and making it easier to clean than real leather.
• Faux leather is water resistant.

Cons

• It's not breathable compared to genuine leather, which can make the car hotter on warm days.
• Easier to puncture than other materials.

4. Polyester

Polyester is another of the best material options and is one of the most commonly used materials on the market. This synthetic fiber is processed into a number of different fabrics and is commonly found woven or knit into different textures. This fabric upholstery comes in quite a few colors, too, perfect for a range of types of car seat styles.

It is popular as it is a very durable fabric that is easy to clean. Resistant to daily wear and tear, and with a stain-resistant, waterproof, and breathable finish, these fabric car seats are great for those anticipating a few accidents and spills in their car.

Pros

• Polyester cloth seats are a cheap material.
• The material is lightweight.
• It's a good alternative to leather.
• A polyester vehicle's interior is waterproof.

Cons

• It absorbs odors.
• It can be stained easily.

5. Alcantara (Ultrasuede)

Alcantara, or ultrasuede, is a type of polyester fabric that is soft to the touch and offers a plush seat for passenger comfort. Of the different types of car seat fabrics, Alcantara comes in one of the widest ranges of colors, and also offers both a smooth or textured style depending on your preference. The smooth option feels like suede on the skin, and won't harbor bacteria as leather does. Textured fabrics, on the other hand, are ideal for those looking for a rugged look.

In addition, Alcantara is known for its durability and easy maintenance. It can be cleaned with just soap and water for everyday spills and maintenance.

Pros

• It stays cleaner longer than other material options.
• It doesn't have a smell.
• It lasts long and is ideal for luxury cars.

Cons

• It can be pricier.
• It dries slowly after cleaning.

What Factors to Consider When Choosing Car Seat Material?

Navigating the different types of car seat materials and trying to figure out what is best for your car can feel daunting, but there are a few factors to consider when making your choice. Before committing to a material, here are some considerations to keep in mind.

Price

Likely at the top of many car owners' minds is cost. The cost of a seat depends largely on the material itself, with some materials costing much more than others. Keep in mind, while some material options will cost more, they may also be known to last longer, saving you money in the long run.

Quality

The finest car seats will be made with strong materials designed to withstand daily use and hold up against unwanted accidents. For instance, higher quality options, such as leather seats, will last for years when properly cared for. However, cloth seats are likely to get worn out easily.

Keep in mind that some fabrics are better than others based on your unique needs and preferences. Consider your situation and what your vehicle is being used for to make a better decision.

Maintenance

To maintain fabric and leather, all you need is a damp cloth or a vacuum cleaner. However, the further cleaning needs you have will depend on your situation. Today, many modern-day fabrics are more resistant to stains, making them easier to maintain. However, materials like leather do need special care when cleaning, which is mostly due to the fact that they can get very worn when using harsh cleaning products or brushes.

Appearance

When deciding on seat material, think about what features. are most important to you and match your style most. Additionally, no matter what appearance goals you have, check that the material is waterproof. This is crucial when buying a seat material to ensure it can last through the years.

Color

No matter what fabric you choose, there are quite a few colors to choose from. Typically, the most popular car seat colors are black, gray, tan, and brown, but there are louder colors available if you choose.

What Car Seat Material Is Right for You?

Ultimately, choosing the best fabric for your vehicle depends on your preferences and needs so you can get the most out of your new seats. No matter if you love faux vinyl or denim car seat materials, there are benefits to each of the seat materials available on the market today.

From what material are car seats made of, to the top choices of car seat material and who they are best for, our team at Albo Restoration is happy to assist you in finding the best fabric for your car's interior. To begin, get a free quote online today.

FAQ

Does a dark-colored car seat material make your car hotter?

Great question! While darker seat colors can make your seats hotter to the touch, some materials are less breathable and can cause your car to feel hotter. For instance, faux leather is less breathable and thus hotter.

What type of car seat material is most comfortable?

Likely the most comfortable seat material depends on your personal preferences. That being said, Alcantara offers one of the smoother, more plush options for a comfortable car seat finish.

What type of car seat material is better?

There isn't one single material that is better than the rest. In fact, the best material for your car depends on what you are using it for and what kind of wear and tear it will endure. For some, the luxurious finish of leather is the best option, while the durability of Alcantara is preferred by others.