Have you heard that your car seats are leather-trimmed? But what are leather-trimmed seats, and what it means for your car’s interior quality? I’ve covered it all below for you!
Seats can be trimmed (aka covered or finished) in many materials. Leather-trimmed seats are therefore finished in leather as opposed to other materials. This is also how you know that you are getting authentic leather covers rather than faux leather covers.
Car seats can be either partial-trimmed or full-trimmed. So, you can have partial leather-trimmed seats or full leather-trimmed seats. Full-trimmed leather seats have every inch of the interior covered in authentic leather. Partial-trimmed seats only contain authentic leather with which the rider will come into contact when in the car. Non-contact places (such as the backs of the seats and the bottoms of the seats) won’t have authentic leather.
What does seat trim mean?
Seat trim refers to the finishing or covering of your car seats. It doesn’t include your dashboard, steering wheel, etc. It’s just the material used to cover your seats, both front, back, and headrests. If your car seats have armrests (such as in minivans), this will refer to those, too.
Are leather-trimmed seats all leather?
Leather-trimmed seats can be all leather or only be leather in part. It depends mostly on which type of leather seats you choose. Full-trimmed leather seats are all leather in their seats. Partial-trimmed leather seats only have leather in the seats where they come into contact with riders and drivers.
Is it real leather on leather-trimmed seats?
If your seats are leather-trimmed, they are made from natural, authentic leather. That’s why they’re advertised as “leather-trimmed,” after all. If it uses faux leather, you’re not getting what you’re paying for! Even partial-trimmed leather seats are going to have some leather on them.
Leather-trimmed seats vs. leather seats
So, what’s the difference between leather-trimmed seats and leather seats? It’s all a matter of language. Previously, the term “leather seats” was used. Now, it’s a fancier language with “leather-trimmed.” It means the same thing.
However, if a sales professional uses the term “leather seats,” you’ll want to check on the seats’ materials to know you’re getting genuine leather rather than imitation leather. Most modern sales professionals should use modern language.
Are leather-trimmed seats worth it?
So often, leather-trimmed seats are sold as upgrades. Which they really are. They’re often thought of as being superior to other kinds of fabrics. This also translates to leather couches and even leather jackets or purses.
As far as whether the leather is worth it, it’s all about what you most want from your vehicle. If you want the fancy and posh look and feel, leather will certainly help upgrade your ride. Leather is often worth the cost if you like it and want to take care of it. It will be a bit more high-maintenance than other kinds of fabric, especially if you often park in the sun and eat in your vehicle.
Considerations when choosing leather-trimmed seats
If you’re in the shopping stage, you’ll want to think carefully about whether leather will work for your needs. When considering your choices, here are the top focus points to keep in mind:
- Cost
- Climate
- Care
- Personal preference
Cost
The cost of leather is certainly the first thing to look at when you compare it to the other options. Progressive explains that you should look at trim options for your vehicle and compare them with each other. Nylon is often the cheapest and standard choice, whereas leather is often the most expensive.
If you are okay with the upgrade and the cost, then it definitely is worth considering. Just make sure that you know what the price difference is upfront!
Climate
Another facet to think about is the climate that you live in. If you are in one where the temperature fluctuates a lot, or you are dealing with parking in the direct sun often, etc. In that case, this can all stress leather out and age it prematurely.
Since you’re paying extra for leather, you’ll want to ensure that you can climate control your leather as much as possible.
Does living in a “difficult” climate mean you can’t have leather seats? No, of course not. Just make sure that you know how how sun impacts leather and such so that you’ll know how to care for it properly.
Care
Speaking of care, you will have to do some maintenance with leather car seats if you choose to have them. This includes getting leather cleaners, conditioners, and more.
You’ll want to know how to watch for signs of cracking leather, how to limit those cracks, and what kinds of cleaners work best for your specific leather type.
There’s a lot to learn about leather care, but if you do it properly, you’ll have top-quality car seats that will outlast many of the inferior materials used in other trim types!
Personal preference
Of course, personal preference will also be a huge thing to think about. Some find using authentic leather to be uncomfortable for health or moral reasons. Others don’t like the buttery feeling of leather and may be tempted to simply cover it up. Think about that before making your choice, as it’ll help make your decision much easier.
Tip: Get familiar with the standard 4 different car interiors so that you can see what your options are.
Pros and cons of leather-trimmed seats
Take a close look at these pros and cons to see which category wins out for your budget, preference, and focus.
Pros of leather-trimmed seats
- They’re comfortable
- They’re high-quality
- They smell like leather
- They can reduce allergens
- They absorb warmth (suitable for cold climates)
Cons of leather-trimmed seats
- They take some time to maintain
- They’re expensive compared to other seat trims
- They can stain easily
There’s no right or wrong decision here. Just factor in these advantages and disadvantages so that you can see which options will be best for your lifestyle. Leather-trimmed seats are an upgrade for most people, but only if they work for your actual needs!
Having leather-trimmed seats means your car seats are finished and covered in authentic leather. You can have partial-trimmed leather seats where only the contact parts of the seat are finished in leather or full-trimmed seats where the entire seat is finished with buttery, authentic leather.
Understanding if this is the right trim for you is going to come down to considering factors like cost, care, and personal preference.
Know someone who wants to know more about their car seat trim preferences? If so, share this with them!
