Does anyone know a reason why Acura chose perforated vs normal leather? Are there any advantages?

 

possibly to heat your bottom faster, maybe looks, stretches easier ??

it has cons, like dirt getting stuck.

 

so the leather breaths

 

Most leather "breathes", perforated or not. Most likely the perforations in the TL leather are cosmetic. Heated seats do not require perforations for functionality. My Saab had perforated leather seats; they were not only heated, but cooled by fans in the seat bottoms and backrests. Very helpful on hot humid days. Maybe Acura will consider this feature in future models.

 

I can attest to a difference I experienced in September. When driving with shorts, I have always used a medium sized hand towel under my legs to keep from sweating. When I was on vacation in September, I found I never needed to do this in my TL because sweat was not a problem. And I've had other cars with perforated leather seats, so these must do their job better.

 

Yes all leather breathes, but at nowhere near the rate of a perforated leather. It is the same for sneakers with air vents, rain slickers with holes in the underarms. Perforated leather makes for a much more comfortable leather seat in a car. Other mfrs like Lexus use "French stitiching" or gathered leather to do the same thing - allow channels of air to reach you bottom and thighs.

Like Southern Garcon (Boy), I find the peforated leather a must to avoid a bad case of Swamp Azz in the hot Virginia climate. My Outback has perforations as well, so i guess after a day of rock-climing, outdoorsmen and women also like prforated leather. The leather in my Outback would make some here happy - it is hard as a rock, feels like vinyl, but resists butt prints. Pick you poison.