Toyota SofTex is a synthetic and artificial leather that has established itself as a standard for several Toyota model options. SofTex is a more resilient material that gives important advantages in the Toyota interiors while yet maintaining the plush, high-end feel and elegance of conventional leather upholstery. SofTex is a thermoplastic polyurethane, and it has greater thermal properties and more breathability than leather does for seats. SofTex will stay cooler in the sun and will reflect more of the sun’s rays, which is good news for the typical driver. When you need to wipe up spills, SofTex seats will absorb moisture more slowly and release moisture more quickly than leather or vinyl seats.
SofTex upholstery is more eco-friendly in addition to being cooler and more cheap than leather. SofTex is a great substitute for leather because it requires 99 percent fewer volatile organic compounds to make and emits 85 percent less CO2 during production. Additionally, it will be less likely to absorb dirt, has tensile strength that is comparable to leather, and has passed rigorous durability testing, keeping your 2016 Toyota RAV4 looking brand-new for years to come.
In This Article...
Toyota leather: Is it genuine leather?
When does leather stop becoming leather? The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has asked Toyota this inquiry, and Toyota needs to respond (ACCC).
The ACCC has charged Toyota with deceiving customers regarding the usage of leather and faux leather in their automobiles.
Between 2005 and 2009, the terms “leather” and “all leather” were used to describe the inside upholstery. Beginning in 2009, the terms “leather accented” and “leather accents” were used to describe the interior upholstery.
The Camry, Aurion, Prado, and Kluger are among the impacted cars from before 2009, and all versions manufactured after 2009 are also affected.
Prior to 2009, Toyota referred to its interior materials as “leather” and “all leather,” which the ACCC deemed to be potentially misleading to consumers.
“The ACCC is concerned that consumers may have been duped into thinking that the entire interior upholstery of the relevant vehicles or the entire upholstery of the relevant components, as applicable, were made of leather when they were not as a result of Toyota Australia’s Pre-2009 Representations, according to the ACCC’s findings.
Toyota started phasing in the terms “leather accentuated” and “leather accents” in 2009, but the ACCC found it to be insufficient.
“…despite Toyota Australia adopting the Post-2009 Representations in its advertising and promotional materials, a number of Toyota dealerships continued to mislead consumers into believing that all of the interior upholstery in the relevant vehicles covered by the Post-2009 Representations, or all of the upholstery in the relevant components, was made of leather when at least some of them weren’t, according to the findings.
However, the ACCC did recognize Toyota’s cooperation throughout the process and the company’s current efforts to make clear the usage of leather in its vehicles.
In its advertisements and dealerships, Toyota will no longer refer to something as “leather” unless the interior or a specific item is totally composed of genuine leather.
Toyota has apologized for deceiving any consumers and has promised to give everyone who was affected by the leather problem a $200 discount on their subsequent Toyota purchase.
In the majority of the impacted car models, everything that users sit on or touch is genuine leather, according to Toyota’s statement.
“The back of the seat and door trim are two places that use synthetic material since they are more prone to wear and tear. This makes it simpler to maintain and more consistent to wear the areas.”
As automakers aim to save costs, leather and the growing use of faux leather has become a divisive topic in the automotive business.
While more mainstream luxury companies, such Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi, are increasingly relying on synthetic leather, frequently with some amusing brand names, while Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Ferrari, and others continue to insist on real leather for all models.
For instance, many Mercedes-Benz vehicles marketed in Australia include Artico “man-made leather,” whereas BMW refers to its leather as Sensatec. Fake leather is frequently referred to as “leatherette” or “leather-like.”
While many more budget-friendly firms continue to employ real leather on all or some of the seats, they are becoming more willing to substitute less expensive imitation leather.
Even the headrests and seat backs of the recently unveiled 2017 Holden VF Commodore are made of faux leather.
Are the seats in the Toyota XLE leather?
The 2021 Highlander is available with leather, synthetic leather, or fabric upholstery, depending on the trim you choose. Cloth seats are standard on the Highlander L and LE grades. Synthetic leather seats are available on the XLE and XSE models. Last but not least, real leather seats are featured in the Limited and Platinum trim levels. Additionally available are front and rear heated seats, front ventilated seats, and second-row captain’s chairs.
Other Comfort Features
Tri-zone automated climate control and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat are standard on the 2021 Highlander L. A motorized liftgate and a steering wheel with leather trim are added in the LE variant. The second-row captain’s chairs, previously mentioned heated front seats, a four-way power-adjustable passenger seat, and second-row sunshades are all included in the sporty XLE grades. Additionally, the driver’s seat gets an upgrade to 10-way adjustment. Ambient interior illumination is added in the XSE. Front seats with ventilation and a heated steering wheel are included in limited specification variants. The second-row heated seats and a panoramic sunroof are added to the penultimate Platinum level.
SofTexis it vinyl?
It has better wear qualities, is spill-resistant, and is designed to be simple to clean. SofTex weighs nearly half as much as real leather skins. Its production is distinct from that of other synthetic leathers because it generates 99 percent fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and about 85 percent fewer CO2 emissions than standard synthetic leather.
SofTex is a thermoplastic polyurethane material that is intended to feel opulent and soft and has excellent stain resistance. It is less expensive than leather and, in Toyota’s opinion, is a superior material than fabric.
Toyota claims that this material has the advantages of being cooler and more breathable than leather. However, because this is plastic, it will feel very cold to the touch during the winter.
Cleaning SofTex is similar to cleaning any synthetic material; however, special consideration must be given to the materials used to avoid damaging the surface and reducing the material’s lifespan. Cleaning with aggressive chemicals will quickly harm synthetic materials, resulting in damage that can only be repaired after cracking has begun.
SofTex is a vinyl-like material that is advertised as being superior than real leather. Cleaning and caring for imitation materials is always simple, and in most situations, they can be cleaned with nearly any kind of typical cleaning product. However, caution must still be exercised.
Vinyls do not last as long as genuine leather does, and they are also more difficult to repair than genuine leather. Leather has a true scent, but vinyl always has a plastic scent and feel. Leather also has a natural capacity to grip, whereas plastic only causes you to slide on the seat surface.
Which automakers utilize genuine leather?
There are now additional options for seating materials outside just leather and cloth. Numerous companies, including Mercedes-Benz and BMW, have created bespoke imitation leathers that can be hard to tell apart from real leather. Others provide customers the option of interiors made of partly leather, leatherette, or sport cloth.
The manufacturers that Cartelligent clients most frequently choose to have their seats covered in leather or partial leather are listed below.
Subaru 10. (68 percent leather)
Cloth seats are included with base Subaru models. With the Limited level and higher, leather-trimmed seats are included.
9. Jeep (69 percent leather)
Jeeps come standard with cloth seats, although Limited and higher grades also come with leather or leather-trimmed seats.
Chevrolet 8. (70 percent leather)
Leatherette or cloth seats are often found in Chevrolet automobiles. Many of their high-end versions combine leather seats with well-liked security features like cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring, and park assist.
7. Ford (71 percent leather)
Our customers frequently upgrade to premium trim levels, which come with leather seats as well as a variety of additional choices, from the standard cloth seats that come with many Ford automobiles.
6. Lexus (78 percent leather)
Most entry-level Lexus cars come with NuLuxe leatherette as standard. Leather seats are standard on F-Sport versions and vehicles with the Luxury or Ultra Luxury packages.
5. BMW (79 percent leather)
Several well-liked BMW models come standard with SensaTec leatherette. The optional Premium Package, which includes leather seats, a moonroof, satellite radio, keyless entry, and lumbar support, is popular with Cartelligent’s customers.
4. Volvo (98 percent leather) (98 percent leather)
Porsche 3. (100 percent leather)
Land Rover 1. (100 percent leather)
1. Audi (100 percent leather)
Whether or not the next vehicle you desire is included in this list, Cartelligent can assist you in finding a fantastic price on the precise model you desire. To get started, contact our team of car-buying professionals at 888.427.4270.
Are automobile seats made of genuine leather?
Let’s define leatherette first. It’s a synthetic material that mimics the texture and appearance of leather, typically composed of vinyl or a form of plastic. Of course, leather is genuine; it comes from a cow. One thing to keep in mind is that Alcantara, which is becoming common as an upholstery material in luxury vehicles, isn’t actually leather. It is a form of polyester ultrasuede, therefore it is synthetic, just as leatherette.
Both materials come with a number of benefits and drawbacks. High-quality leather should smell good in your car and feel softer and more flexible (read: more comfortable). Real leather, however, will absorb dirt and spills, making it more susceptible to staining and discoloration. If you have a dog or cat in your car, leather is not a suitable choice for the interior unless there is something to cover the interior to protect it from scratches. Although leather makes for the best upholstery, it also needs the most care and maintenance.
In more recent cars, leatherette has improved significantly to the point where it can be difficult to tell it apart from genuine leather. Since leatherette is composed of vinyl (a plastic-based material), which is not porous, spilt food or liquid may be removed with ease. Because of this, leatherette is typically simpler to maintain than leather and won’t need as many specialized cleaning tools to keep it looking brand new. Leatherette might be a better alternative for people looking for a luxurious aesthetic coupled with simpler cleaning and maintenance if they have children who are more likely to spill on the seats.
What drawbacks exist? Because leatherette doesn’t “breathe like the genuine material,” it becomes hotter and stickier in warm weather, especially when you perspire. For people who live in warmer areas and choose leatherette for their car seats, ventilated seats might be a choice to take into account.
The cost of the two materials varies significantly as well. The price difference between leatherette and leather seats in your interior might reach thousands of dollars. However, if properly maintained, leather upholstery does increase a car’s resale value, and many buyers of luxury cars view leather as a must-have option.
Is the leather on the Toyota Camry genuine?
The features start to appear a little more opulent at this point. The interior of the Toyota Camry XLE is beautifully decorated with Tiger Eye wood and real leather seats. A larger, 8-inch touch screen and dual-zone automatic climate control are added to the audio multimedia system to increase comfort.
The first trim level to offer the 3.5-liter V6 engine is the Camry XLE. With up to 301 horsepower, this monster raises the bar for thrills.
Do the seats of the Toyota Camry feature leather?
Fortunately, many Camry trim levels, including the XLE, XSE, XLE V6, XSE V6, and XLE Hybrid cars, come standard with leather seats. The heated, leather-trimmed front seats with eight-way power adjustments for the driver and passenger offer a plush appearance while feeling comfy.
Toyota SofTex seats: what are they?
The interior of a car may reveal a lot about it, and you can truly add the extra sporty, contemporary, or opulent look you desire with particular materials and colors. Choosing a car is half the fun because after you find your ideal car, you have to make decisions about the exterior color, trim, interior options, and other factors. Toyota offers a few interior upholstery alternatives that can accommodate any way of life. While most of us are aware of the fundamental characteristics and distinctions between leather and fabric, many people might not be familiar with Toyota’s SofTex material. Discover the differences between the SofTex, leather, and cloth seating options offered by Toyota and decide for yourself which material is ideal for you.
Toyota SofTex Interior
Toyota’s SofTex interior features synthetic leather seats that are stain-, wear-, and easy-cleaning resistant. SofTex feels smooth to the touch and weights about half as much as genuine leather. In comparison to traditional synthetic leather, SofTex leather emits 99 percent fewer volatile organic compounds and around 85 percent less CO2. Additionally, there are no animal byproducts in SofTex materials. Customers adore SofTex seats for their ability to reflect sunlight, which prevents them from heating up as typical leather seats do.
Toyota SofTex: vegan or not?
Cheap new automobiles frequently come equipped with leather steering wheels and fabric seats as standard equipment. Of course, you should confirm that for the cars that catch your attention. Additionally, you must ensure that any upgrade packages you purchase do not include leather. Too frequently, whether you get a sport suspension or a better radio, leather-upholstered seats or steering wheels are included in the price.
Even the entry-level variants of high-end vehicles may include leather seats. Fortunately, Mercedes and BMW both employ high-end synthetics in everything except their top-end brands’ lowest models.
Here are some specifics for some further high-end vehicles with vegan interiors:
- Ford: An all vegan interior, including a vegan steering wheel, is a standard feature of the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
- Mercedes: The EQXX is an entirely electric vehicle with a vegan interior built of modern renewable materials such as vegan silk, bamboo, cactus, and mushrooms.
- Tesla: The Model 3 vehicle no longer comes standard with a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Premium synthetic seats and a vegan steering wheel are now standard equipment in every new Model 3 and Model Y vehicle.
- Toyota: Although some versions do come with leather seats and steering wheels, it’s simple to locate a vegan Toyota. Toyota’s vegan leather substitute, Softex, can be found in more expensive or upgraded Toyota cars. Toyotas in the base model typically come with cloth seats.
- Volvo: Despite continuing to provide wool blends, the business hopes to eliminate leather from all of its vehicles by 2030. According to Edmunds, all upcoming electric vehicles and the C40 Recharge model year 2022 will be devoid of leather.
Over time, vegan vehicles have become far more prevalent. There is every reason to believe that this positive trend will persist.