I had planned on getting something like a white/black vehicle after having had black/black vehicle for my last 2 cars, but I may be open to one of the lighter interiors.
Do any of you have opinions on the lighter interiors like parchment or graystone (or "greystone" as it is in Canada )? Do they get dirty/show dirt easier than a black interior? Are they more difficult to clean (I wouldn't think so, since the material is the same)? I don't have pets or kids or anything, but I'm more worried about stains that may show up that are difficult to get out like the blue from denim or something.

 

light is always gonna get dirtier easier and more noticeable than black. kind of a silly question lol

 

If you drive with the windows and/or sunroof open, the darker interior will show dust and dirt far easier than the light car. But I'm more worried about getting dirt out once it's in a lighter colored interior (like stains from jeans).

 

After test driving 3 different TLX's, 2 with the lighter interior, we already noticed scuffs and marks on the bottom door panels (both cars).

 

I have had 4 Acuras with light interiors and I am pretty sure that I am going with black for my next interior. I have never had stains from jeans on seats, but scuffs on anything plastic and dirt on leather have me thinking black. I also like the look with the current TLX interior.

 

^^ I agree with Quantum. Wet denim is likely to leave stain on a lighter color leather seats. Now don't get me wrong, it will come off but just require a little extra effort/maintenance. A light colored interior can be quite elegant but as a black exterior, you have to work harder to keep it like that. The stains are there on a dark interior but you just don't see it...Now you know why they make brown underwear.

 

After owning both a 2006 TL with parchment and my RLX with graystone (I think they messed up my order, it was supposed to be seacoast, but till this day it looks like graystone) I'd say that yes, in general it requires more attention to keep clean than a black interior. Sorta like the attention required to keep a black car exterior clean. But for me it's not that big of a deal, as long as you just care for the car properly.

After a year with my RLX, I've had only one incident so far with dye-stain (upper right corner of passengar seat), and after several months of periodic cleaning, it's now finally starting to disappear. At first I thought I was screwed, but it looks like it just needed some time. The rest of the car interior is immaculate and have had no real complaints maintaining it. It looks today as it did in that picture 1 week after picking it up new off the truck. I wash the car once-twice a month, and just take the time to clean the interior as well at each washing. a routine that I haven't considered to be excessive or taxing of my time.

While I still think the TLX black interior looks a little off with the gray headliner, overall it does suit the interior well. I think it flows well with the dashboard and other materials, and I think it works very well with the richer color of the plastic/wood. I haven't seen one with black interior yet (just the parchment) so it may come together for me better once I get a look at it with my own eyes. I just know that in general I really love the light, clean, "airy" vibe you get with the seacoast/graystone interiors in the RLX. it's a huge part of the experience for me. Very Asia/Pac futuristic-luxury, which I'm a fan of.

 

I had the greystone on my 2012 TSX and that held up well to everyday use with little signs of dirt. We have parchment on our '14 MDX and that color is a bit problematic and difficult to keep clean (wife wanted it). Biggest issue is blue jeans rubbing off on the driver seat. It's a nice color but if you are worried about how it will hold up I would shy away from the parchment.

All colors are as easy (or difficult) to clean given they are made of the same material.

 

I have the parchment interior and also own a car with a black interior too. Both interiors have their advantages. The parchment will show scuffs but it cleans up- you will need to clean the door sills more frequent. The black interior shows sand and dust much more. I guess it depends on the climate you live in. I think I'll pick a black interior next time since it does hide the stains more which are harder to resolve. For example, my parchment driver's seat belt looks like crap after 8 years and I'm pretty careful (and clean too).

 

My last 2 Acuras have had parchment interiors. I haven't had any issues with stains or keeping it clean. For whatever reason, I strongly dislike the black leather. I love how my TL with parchment leather mixes some darker elements on the doors and dash, almost giving the interior a 2 tone look. When I get a TLX I will likely go with the graystone interior. I might be persuaded to go Espresso but no black for me.

 

The light interiors get more of a black eye than they deserve. A little Mother's leather care (or your favorite leather cleaner/conditioner) will keep it sparkling. AS for the kick panels on the doors, I use a spray product that's listed as a vinyl and leather cleaner, and those shoe marks wipe right off.

No gloomy black interior for me!

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I personally prefer seeing a color contrast in the car. Black makes the car feel smaller inside and lighter colors make it feel bigger. But Black seems more aggressive or sporty. I think at the end of the day buy what you like to sit in day in and day out, for me not having the same color run from the top of the dash panels to the floor makes life in the car more inviting. Have had a dark grey in my TSX for 11 years, seemed to hold up just fine. I like the greystone, not crazy about parchment and do not like the espresso... black is workable for me... exterior color might end up deciding it for you, since certain colors only come in certain leather.

 

I have a very light interior in my BMW and Lexus. I love it. I'm pretty neat and it really doesn't need much attention. Assuming I get a TLX (good chance) I absolutely will get the Graystone or whatever they call the light color.

Here are pics of both of our current cars...

 

There is always the Espresso interior.....

 

While I don't hate the espresso interior, I'm not sure I'm in love with it yet. It looks good, but there's something oddball about it. If push came to shove and I had to buy the car "today" (and it's starting to look like it...lol), I have no problems buying it. I just think I may like the ebony and graystone interiors more for a white car.

 

Totally forgot to mention that as well. It definitely makes the interiors feel much more roomy and comfortable. Especially on a sunny day, even with tinted windows, it just makes the interior feel much more inviting.

 

I have the grey leather on my TSX and after nearly 9 years it is holding up very well. I think it depends on two things, how rough you are on the interior, and how often you clean and care for the leather. Also, in Houston make sure to tint the windows to cut down on the heat and UV. It is just the two of us and the rear seat looks like it just came out of the showroom. The drivers seat has wear but no staining, the passenger seat also looks pretty much new. I definitely don't care for them like I should, but they still hold up.

I will probably get the Greystone or Parchment in the TLX. I don't like black interiors... not just because of the heat, but it just feels like I'm in a cave. The Espresso is a color that I just cant seem to decide on. My wife likes it, sometimes I'm okay with it, sometimes I don't care for it.