Interior Upholstery: What you need to know

When purchasing a new car there's often a lot of jargon being thrown around by either the salesperson or the manufacturer's brochure. You always hear about the different interior trims on offer, but to most people "fabric" or "leather" are the most widely understood terms. In the current world we live in, the options are vast and go beyond the conventional leather and fabric interior upholstery. Here's an explanation of all the different materials and what you can expect:

One of the most common and preferred materials for vehicle interiors is leather. It's sourced from cattle and is regarded as the premium option when talking upholstery. Leather, of course, can vary in quality based on the cattle it's sourced from, but some of its core attributes are durability and a luxurious look and feel. Lastly, you get two types of leather – genuine leather and synthetic leather. The former has a much higher asking price.

Also known as synthetic leather, PU is a man-made material designed to look and feel like real animal hide. It may have different compositions but ultimately has the same appearance as genuine leather. The upside to this material is that it's cheaper and a lot easier to clean and maintain. However, it will not have the same level of durability or last as long as genuine leather.

Textile refers to various types of cloth and fabric materials in a car’s interior. This can be nylon, polyester, wool, and blends of different fibres. Textile upholstery is generally found in budget-friendly cars, however, it can still offer comfort and durability. The downside is that it may not have the same level of elegance or luxury as leather or other premium materials. Textiles can vary in texture, pattern, and colour, providing a wide range of options for interior upholstery.

Often found in performance vehicles, Alcantara is the material of choice for many car manufacturers when upholstering a performance vehicle's interior. It's a soft suede-like material that provides good grip and can be found anywhere from steering wheels and seats, to the roof-lining of a vehicle. It's also said to be a very durable material

Armed with this knowledge, you'll be well-equipped to make an informed decision when purchasing your next vehicle. Your choice of material for a vehicle's interior will depend on factors such as budget, aesthetic appeal and maintenance requirements.

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