Vinyl vs. Leather Seats: Head-to-Head Comparison

With the amount of hours the average American spends on the road every year, your daily driver may as well be an extension of your home.

And when you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, the type of material used on your seats can affect your experience inside the cabin. It’s important that they are covered in stylish, comfortable, and durable materials—not just for you but also for your passengers.

Fortunately, there are plenty of options for vehicle owners with seats that are damaged or worn out. You may choose to get your vehicle reupholstered or purchase high-quality seat covers. Most people pick between two types of materials: vinyl or leather.

Vinyl vs. Leather Seats

When it comes to car upholstery, vinyl and leather materials are good options. But which is the better choice?

Quality and Material

Vinyl was the go-to material for car upholstery in the 1950s. It’s cheaper than leather, and it comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns—making it the perfect choice for people who want to customize their ride’s interior. The quality of vinyl materials has only improved since then. So much so that there are now variants that look and feel like leather.

Leather, on the other hand, gives seats a more premium feel and style. Unlike vinyl, which is made of plastic, it is commonly made from cowhide. Some carmakers make their seats from bull hide because it’s slightly thicker and more durable than cowhide.

Cleaning and Maintenance

If you often travel with your kids or pets, vinyl upholstery is a good choice. It has stain-resistant properties that make it a breeze to maintain.

Besides keeping vinyl car seats free of dust and dirt, you just need to occasionally wash them using a mild cleaning solution, wipe off the soap with a damp cloth, and towel dry them. Do these after messy spills as well to prevent mildew and unpleasant smells from building up.

Leather seats need more care and maintenance than vinyl seats because they’re more likely to fade and crack when exposed to extreme heat. Fortunately, you can prevent these by applying a leather conditioner.

Keep in mind that not all cleaning products are good for your leather. So check for reviews about the specific product you want to buy or ask for a recommendation from your mechanic. Make sure to spot-test your cleaning solutions on a hidden area before using them.

Durability

Both vinyl and leather car seats can stay in top condition for a long time. However, they are not impervious to wear and tear.

Vinyl seats are more susceptible to damage compared to leather. Sharp objects can tear or puncture their surface, and it typically takes a lot of time and money to repair them. Constant exposure to sunlight and extreme temperatures may also damage vinyl upholstery.

Leather car seats are more resistant to punctures, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be damaged. They discolor due to harsh cleaning solutions and crack or fade due to extreme temperature.

Breathability

Vinyl seats are not as breathable as leather because they’re made of plastic. Black vinyl seats, in particular, tend to absorb a lot of heat during the summer months, which can make long trips under the sun uncomfortable.

Leather seats are more breathable, so you’re less likely to get hotter and stickier in the summer.

Cost

Vinyl seats are typically more affordable than leather seats by up to 25%. Leather is a more pricey investment because it’s made of natural materials.

Other Types of Seat Materials

Aside from vinyl and leather seats, another type of car seat material you can consider is fabric. Cloth seats come in different variants, each with its own pros and cons.

Nylon Seats

Nylon seats come in various designs, so they’re perfect for customization. They’re also more affordable than leather and vinyl. However, just like other fabric materials, nylon tends to stain and get dirty easily.

To clean nylon seats, you’ll need to remove deep-seated dirt with a vacuum cleaner. You can also use a sponge soaked in hot water and mild detergent to scrub your seats. Then, wipe the solution off with a clean cloth.

Polyester Seats

If you’d like a luxurious suede look, go for polyester seats. Polyester is softer than nylon, but it can become stiff if it isn’t cleaned properly. To keep polyester seats in top shape, you’ll have to use a microsuede cleaning solution to clean off dirt and debris.

Ultrasuede

Commonly found on high-end and high-performance vehicles, Ultrasuede seats give out an elegant and luxurious look that’s similar to microsuede. It’s difficult to find because only one manufacturer produces it in Italy. It’s flame-resistant, but it’s not designed to withstand daily family wear.

Are Cloth Car Seats Better Than Vinyl and Nylon Seats?

It depends on what you want. As proven by the vinyl vs. leather comparison, different types of car seat materials come with distinct pros and cons. The same goes for fabric car upholstery. Here’s how it compares to leather and vinyl.

Leather vs Cloth Seats

Leather is more expensive than fabric for car upholstery, but it’s easier to clean because it’s not porous like cloth. It also offers a sense of luxury to the car’s interior that cloth seats can’t match.

Fabric seats are harder to clean because it absorbs spills and smells. However, unlike leather seats, they never get hot enough to burn when left under the sun. They’re not as elegant as leather, but they typically come in more colors, patterns, and design.

Vinyl vs. Cloth Seats

Vinyl seats are like leather seats. They’re easy to maintain and can get uncomfortable during hot days, but they make up for those with their durability and affordability. Unlike leather, however, vinyl comes in more colors and styles.

In comparison, cloth car seats are not as easy to clean, but they balance that out with their softer material and their wider variety of design options. There’s no clear winner in cloth vs. leather seats or cloth vs. vinyl seats because the right choice depends on your needs and preferences.

Buying Seat Covers

Whether you choose vinyl, leather, or cloth seats, seat covers can help you keep them in great shape for a long time.

Buying aftermarket seat covers helps protect your vehicle’s upholstery. They’re available in different materials, such as poly cotton, neoprene, tweed, and velour. Seat covers at CarParts.com usually cost around $100 to $250.

The Verdict

At the end of the day, it all boils down to personal preference. When choosing a material for your car upholstery, make sure to consider factors like your passengers and lifestyle. These things will help you determine the right car seat material for your ride.