Anyone else notice that even in models with leather seats the material on the doors, door armrests, and center console is leatherette? At least it surely looks like it to me. I read all these stupid posts about the horrid vent trim that everyone complains about, yet this bothers me more than that would. My TSX and old Accord both have real leather on the armrests anyway. The double stitching does look really nice though.

 

I will give Acura props though for using such nice leather on the steering wheel. Love the way it feels.

 

I have not noticed it and will not be checking. If it does not crack, bleach, or change to a different colour to the rest of the car then it is just perfect!

 

It's been this way with Acura for a long time, the panels in my 2004 TL and MDX aren't real leather by synthetic. Acura puts leather where the body touches on the seat and the steering wheel.

IMO acura is being smart by saving money here and there, but they do take it to extremes like the lack of opening/locking doors from all 4 door handles like the canadian models.

 

Its not unusual in cars. Lot will say leather "seating areas" or similar in the fine print. Typically means the part of the seat that actually touches you when you sit in it.

 

'Might want to double check---per a fact sheet on the '14 TSX :
"Perforated leather trimmed seating surfaces with contrast-color stitching"

source: 2014 Acura TSX Features - Honda.com

Mercedes used to offer "full leather" versus "seating surfaces" for about $1200 more on the E-Class--I don't think they still do. Even their Nappa leather is seating surfaces now for $2900 extra.

 

It's real leather on the door armrest and the center armrest. Why would Honda use leather on those areas on their accord but not on their premium models? Wouldn't make sense.

 

Perhaps the new accord or 14 TSX do not have real leather but my 05 Accord and 04 TSX do. "Leather trimmed seats and door panel inserts" I beleive is how it was worded. Also not sure about Mercedes, but my 2000 X5 has full leather including the sides and backs of seats, shift boot, e-brake handle, etc...no vinyl whatsoever.

 

Can someone else check this to prove I'm not crazy?? The feel and grain pattern of these areas does not match the genuine leather on the seats.

 

I'd be happy if it was fake leather. Easier to care for. Unfortunately it is real leather and even has real stitching to prove it. I had MBTex on my last car. The stitching was molded into the plastic.

 

Vinyl can have real stitching too lol- it's fake.

 

on the older acura/accords there was leather on the door only were you would rest your arm and that's it for the doors. the seat and headrest were not leather on the sides or back..

 

My 2006 TL has/had leather on console arm rest; however, the door arm rests has a high quality vinyl. I have no issues with that- the arm rests have worn fine over the years. I have since replaced the console leather with leather from redlinegoods.com.

 

The fact that it is so hard to figure out what is leather and what is vinyl means that it probably doesn't really matter. I'm okay with it the way it is. If you've even seen the fake leather in the Lexus I'd actually prefer that over the real stuff since it is easier to care for and ages better.

 

This is all I saw that mentions leather:

"Seating in the TLX is designed for all-day comfort, combined abundant lateral support for aggressive cornering. The available leather seating surfaces, perforated in the center sections and with Milano leather on front seat bolsters, are soft to the touch, with the right amount of surface friction to help keep passengers securely in position while cornering"

 

I have put leather conditioner on the seats the center armrest and the door armrest and it has soaked into all three places. If some of that material was vinyl I'd think the conditioner would have just stayed on the surface and made the material greasy and shiny so if it is fake it's damn convincing fake. I've seen MB-tex and leatherette on Audis and BMWs and it's easy to tell that it's not leather.

 

I believe you are correct. The leather on the seating services is a softer higher quality. When I use leather conditioner on my Altima SL, it does not soak in well even on the leather seating services. Cheaper leather has a coating that impairs the absorption. Once that coating breaks down….well…

This is an example of people worrying about nothing.

 

Not really "worried" about it- just disappointed. I don't yet own a TLX but in the models I sat it (yes tech package with real leather) the door and console didn't appear to be real leather at all. Felt like cheaper vinyl with very little grain. Wish someone could take up close photos of both surfaces for comparison.

 

•Interior Trim -inc: Simulated Wood/Metal-Look Instrument Panel Insert, Simulated Wood/Metal-Look Door Panel Insert, Simulated Wood/Metal-Look Console Insert and Chrome Interior Accents
•Leather Front Seats w/Leatherette Back Material
•Leather steering wheel
•Full cloth headliner
•Leather gear shift knob
•Leather Door Trim Insert

 

Where did you find this?

 

Here's another source, (Honda) not the same info:

Leather-trimmed interior (perforated center sections) with Milano leather on seat bolsters

2015 Acura TLX: Interior - Honda.com

That link is a pretty good read for all kinds of specific info I have not seen elsewhere.

 

I am missing the leather gearshift knob on my V6. Maybe it fell off. What is happening with Acura? Will have to talk with my service rep about it.

 

I've read that and agree it's a very good read. It does not list door panels or console however. I must be beating a deal horse here lol but I'd really like to know where the list of features saying those surface are leather came from. Or see pictures. If the vinyl holds up ok that's fine- but I've seen many cars (cr-v for example) where it wrinkles up where you put your arm as it is not as thick and durable as real leather.

 

There is no mass market car on the market today (or in the last 30 years) that has full leather as standard (or a reasonable upgrade). In general, on luxury cars, the parts your butt touches is leather as is the shift knob and steering wheel. Some cars (not Honda/Acura) may have leather inserts in the door panels.

MB and BMW come standard in the US with some form of leatherette (until you get to the E550 or 550i).

Pleather/vinyl/naugahyde/leatherette is routinely used on rough use areas like door panels and arm rests. In addition, the non seating areas are also leatherette because they don't wrinkle as easily as leather and provide better support.

 

Once again, my 2000 X5 with Dakota leather has it on door panels, sides of seats, sides and backs of headrests. No vinyl whatsoever. So I'm going to have to disagree with on that.

 

2015 New Acura TLX 4dr Sedan FWD Tech at McDaniels Auto Group Serving Columbia, SC, IID 12674135

 

Hmm I wonder where they got this. Thank you! It must just be heavily coated and different than the Milano used on the seats.

 

I think it was circumcised

 

That would be the other "C" word, quite a difference, or so I am told.