How many of you have been facing this decision: leather vs leatherette. To illustrate the points will use a BMW automobile. I have always been debating between the two options. Each time, I ended up choosing leatherette before leather due to several factors: cheaper, I was leasing the car for two or three years and last, my significant other, is against leather products.

But before we go into the pros and cons of the two interior options, I want to let you know that we will not turn this conversation into an ethical one and an animal welfare topic. I completely understand everyone’s point of view, but this article is not about that.

LEATHER

Advantages

a higher resale value for your car
it “breathes” better
it becomes softer as time goes by
it’s a clear indication of luxury in a car
a unique smell, pleasant for many
more color options and types of leather

Disadvantages

more expensive
wears out faster
the maintenance on it is costly and time consuming
not the best choice
it scratches easier
it cracks faster
it feels colder in the winter

LEATHERETTE

Advantages:

cheaper
almost same look as leather
wears better and can be kept in perfect shape for many years
easier to clean and maintain, wiping it down with water it’s enough sometimes
no need to worry about resale value, only if you’re leasing the car
pets friendly, not easy to scratch or crack
leatherette is now one of the best out there

Disadvantages

it doesn’t feel as good as leather
in the heat of summer, it feels somewhat rubbery and sticky
no resale value
considered a downgrade by many consumers

Conclusion is they both will work well... and it's all up to you!