Jump to content
sledhead

fabric or leather?

Recommended Posts

this question probably applies only to canadian sel models as leather is an option. i sat in both and am undecided on which to order. i'm looking for any input from current owners that have fabric and wish they ordered leather or vice versa. leather is very much affected by the weather and the fabric seems stiff, cheap looking and not that comfortable.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

this question probably applies only to canadian sel models as leather is an option. i sat in both and am undecided on which to order. i'm looking for any input from current owners that have fabric and wish they ordered leather or vice versa. leather is very much affected by the weather and the fabric seems stiff, cheap looking and not that comfortable.

Not related to the leather v cloth question but, with leather you get heated seats with an SEL, which is real nice on those bitterly cold days before the heat kicks in.

You're going to get different opinions if you keep asking here, it's time to decide for yourself and order your Fusion. Just a friendly nudge.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

point taken, just extremely undecided but have to make a decision by wed as i dont want to miss out on $5000 worth of incentives. my kids are pushing towards the fabric as the rear seats arent heated.....the debate continues

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Not related to the leather v cloth question but, with leather you get heated seats with an SEL, which is real nice on those bitterly cold days before the heat kicks in.

You're going to get different opinions if you keep asking here, it's time to decide for yourself and order your Fusion. Just a friendly nudge.

 

 

If I lived up north I would probably opt for leather, especially if your not concerned with the price difference. I live in the deep south, Louisiana. Leather seats here are a 2nd degree burn waiting to happen during the summer. My cloth seats are comfortable, I have no complaints but go with what is going to make you happy. If your debating on Leather and don't get them you will prob regret it a few months down the line. Plus like previously stated heated seats in a cold environment may not be a necessity but will definitely put a smile on your face the first few times you use it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

point taken, just extremely undecided but have to make a decision by wed as i dont want to miss out on $5000 worth of incentives. my kids are pushing towards the fabric as the rear seats arent heated.....the debate continues

 

You said the "K" word (kids) so get the leather. Kool-Aid wipes right off....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
my kids are pushing towards the fabric as the rear seats aren't heated...

 

Do you have access to both at a local dealer? When I was making my choice and doing the test drives, I told the salesman that I needed keys for one car that had cloth and one that head leather because the family and I needed to do a "butt test" and compare. Like an earlier observation, I didn't care as much for the cloth as it seemed cheap and less comfortable. To me it just seemed a bit stiff, as if it was the same material as a cloth seat cushion in an airplane, which I think are made more for durability than comfort. So good luck with whatever you choose, but try and do a butt test if you can and decide for yourself.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Kids+cloth=stains

Kids+leather=easy to clean

 

Unlike cloth seats, leather wears in and gets softer, cloth just wears out. I had cloth in the Camry and wish they were leather, they had wear in 34K miles. The leather seats in my 1999 F350 with 130K miles show wear, but had they been cloth they would be full of holes. Leather is also much easier to clean, once cloth gets dirty, it stays dirty, plus liquid can soak through cloth and into the cushions, where leather withstands liquid penetration, except for the perforated leather. The seats in my Fusion have 13000 butt miles on them and are starting to soften up a bit, but do not show any wear marks like cloth would by now. The one and only drawback of leather is the fact that they get hot in the summer, but cloth does too, just not as extensive, the difference is the cloth seats will soak up your sweat, so you feel cooler, but think about that for a moment, your seats are sucking up your sweat, ewww. :hysterical:

 

Hope that helps you and others in any way.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

People also think that leather is hot in summer and cold in winter and that's just not true. It adjusts to your body temperature quickly and I've found it comfortable year round from 15 degrees to 100 degrees. And it is easier to keep clean.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I got cloth, but am looking to get the leather skins. With that comes the issue of trying to put the seat heaters in. Time to research if earlier heaters will work with the 10 seats. Then to find switches, etc.....As for wear, my 04 F150 was showing bad leather wear at 45k miles. My 04 F350 leather was wearing badly on the sides of the seat bottom. Not impressed with Ford leather in the trucks, hoping the car's is better..

Edited by ImBroke

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I got cloth, but am looking to get the leather skins. With that comes the issue of trying to put the seat heaters in. Time to research if earlier heaters will work with the 10 seats. Then to find switches, etc.....As for wear, my 04 F150 was showing bad leather wear at 45k miles. My 04 F350 leather was wearing badly on the sides of the seat bottom. Not impressed with Ford leather in the trucks, hoping the car's is better..

 

If you plan to cover the seats, get Katskins instead of factory. Higher quality, perfect fit. You can also get it customized.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Katskinz are big money. They quoted me $2,200 - 2,800 installed. The options were heated seats, contrast stitching, and coloured inserts. I could save on the labour, as I have installed aftermarket heated seats dozens of times. Still not cheap, the factory leather runs in the neighbourhood of $750.00, and the heating kits (bottom and back) are about $80.00 per seat.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Katskinz are big money. They quoted me $2,200 - 2,800 installed. the factory leather runs in the neighbourhood of $750.00, and the heating kits (bottom and back) are about $80.00 per seat.

 

Ouch, thanks for pricing on the Katskinz. Out of my range. There is a guy on Ebay with Factory leathers for $480, but I didn't check what his shipping is. I saw the heaters for $56, but that was without switches. I'm going to tear into my dash soon and find out if the connectors are there for the switches, or if I'm going to need a different harness, or wire them from scratch. Way too many options going on at once.

I just think the cloth is sort of harsh feeling, but I'll bet it lasts a long time.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

People also think that leather is hot in summer and cold in winter and that's just not true. It adjusts to your body temperature quickly and I've found it comfortable year round from 15 degrees to 100 degrees. And it is easier to keep clean.

Yep I've gotta agree, cloth is the base interior and leather is always the upgrade. There's a reason for that :shift:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Keep checking Ebay, eventually you will find a sale on Katskins for the Fusion. Before I decided to buy the Fusion, I was going to install leather in the Camry, I found a set for under $800 in the perfect color that also included the door panels and console cover. Katskins are better quality than you can get in the TOL Lincolns.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...

×
×
  • Create New...