Leather Upholstery

Leather, a flexible and durable material created by the tanning of animal skin and rawhide, has become a popular accessory to the interior of a vehicle. Many manufacturers today offer leather seats as an add-on option for customers when they originally purchase their vehicle. Others choose to swap out their seats for leather seats after they already have their car, perhaps because they purchased a used one. Whatever the case, leather seats are one of the most popular interior modifications among car owners.

Brands

Leather seats are typically offered by the dealership you purchased your vehicle from. For people who wish to have the feel and look of leather without paying the price, however, Coverking Leatherette Seat Covers are the perfect alternative. They are made to order and fit perfectly over your original seats, and the high-grade vinyl fabric guards against mildew, stains, and UV damage. Another great option for leather seat covers is CalTrend’s I Can’t Believe It’s Not Leather, which offer a less expensive alternative while still maintaining excellent quality.

Safety

Leather seats are one of the rare car modifications that do not necessarily improve or lower your car’s safety. They are certainly more comfortable to sit in, which can make for a smoother ride and allow the driver to be more comfortable behind the wheel. At the same time, the comfort may be a negative by relaxing the driver to a point where their reaction time is lowered. Still, there are no studies to suggest that either of these theories is true.

Benefits

One of the biggest benefits of leather seats is the increased comfort factor. This is extremely beneficial for people who drive frequently or for those who are required to drive long distances. Leather seats are often equipped with a heated seat function, which is perfect for people who live in colder climates. Leather seats can also increase a car’s resale value, which can help lower the cost of your next vehicle. Leather is also relatively easy to clean because stains do not soak into leather like they do cloth. This is an attractive feature for people who have children who may spill food or drinks.

Drawbacks

Leather is a pretty expensive option to add on to the car which makes it less than ideal for people who are trying to save money. For people who live in extreme weather conditions, leather seats can be a drawback because they can feel uncomfortably cold in chilly climates and incredibly warm in hot weather. The addition of window tint and heated seats, however, helps counter this. Some models even offer air conditioned seats as well. Leather also needs to be treated on occasion to prevent the material from hardening and cracking over time.

Cost

While certainly a popular interior modification, leather seats come with a pretty hefty price tag. It may cost an extra $10,000 to upgrade every seat in your car, although this price can change depending on the model of your vehicle. A cheaper alternative is to purchase black leather seat covers, which tend to cost around $300 to $500 a row. While not the same as leather seats, it provides you with a similar look at a much cheaper cost.