What kind of leather does Honda use? What is the best leather cleaner and conditioner should I use?

What kind of leather does Honda use? What is the best leather cleaner and conditioner should I use?

I don't know about the leather, but I use Meguiar's stuff and it works nice.

to me zaino is the best and keeps the car smelling new.

Lexol imo. Used it for 5 years.

What kind of leather does Honda use? What is the best leather cleaner and conditioner should I use?

Most of the "leather" that Honda uses is actually vinyl. I've heard that the entire back seat is vinyl, and only the center portion of the front seats is real leather. This is why they call it "leather trimmed".

The armrest and door padding is all vinyl as well.

Most of the "leather" that Honda uses is actually vinyl. I've heard that the entire back seat is vinyl, and only the center portion of the front seats is real leather. This is why they call it "leather trimmed". The armrest and door padding is all vinyl as well.

I even have my doubts the middle portion that touches the back of our knees is leather, leaving only the piece that touch our a$$es on the cushion, and a couple more pieces on the backrest. It's a freaking ripoff if you ask me. I wasn't expecting Nappa leather, but come on. Even the stupid steering wheel must be vinyl; looks like crap, and it's slippery, when leather is not.

And whatever is leather is the crappiest kind. No need to spend on expensive conditioners on this car. I'm saving my Griot's Garage conditioner for the good leather, and bought a Meguiar's bottle for the Hondas (have 2 with leather). Take care.
JC

The armrest and door padding is all vinyl as well.

Sure about that? These areas definitely feel like leather to me and are of a different texture/feel than the other areas that are vinyl.

i don't think to highly of the "leather" myself, ive been treating the seats with meguiers, but i already have a gazillion cracks in the seats, i don't mind though if the quality of the leather isnt all that, its afterall a honda, not a BMW or a Acura ... besides ill probably end up doing a custom interior few years down the road

Sure about that?
There's absolutely no question the center console, door armrest, and door inserts are vinyl. That was the first thing I noticed when I test-drove the car. When you pay that much for the EX-L, I expected better, but am happy with the car anyway; just a tad disappointed.

Some of the panels on the seats are more tricky to tell apart, but get them under the right lighting, and it's obvious the side of the seats and those panels are the same material, which is vinyl. The leather quality is so bad it's very hard to tell it apart from vinyl. Better leather is much easier to tell apart, even with today's 'leather-grain' vinyls. Good day.
JC

I don't know about that. How can you prove this? The material in those areas are way to supple to by vinyl IMO. There is a definite difference in feel between these areas and the areas of the seats (sides) that I know for sure are vinyl. The center console feels way different.

Man, if some of you already have cracks and what not in your leather seats...makes me happy that I saved the $2k and got just the EX. Except I wish mine came with the XM radio or auto climate control.

I sat in the seat of the V6 coupe and I didn't like the feel that much, but at least it had a power seat. No offense to you folks with the EX-L or the V6 but the leather kinda felt cheap to me. But it is an Accord and it's supposed to resemble semi-luxury without the luxury price tag.

I guess you gotta take the Accord for what it is. An Acura or Lexus it is not. But I love mine for what it is supposed to do (little hassle daily driver) and the price I paid for it.

Too bad the US Accord isn't anything near the 'luxury' Accord it is considered in many other countries. I'm sure if it was the quality would be much, much better. The options you get on Accords in other countries (like rear AC vents and rear reading lights) blow the US options out of the water. But then again, an Accord in another country costs as much as an Acura here.

Mine has no cracks whatsoever. Its all about perspective. Coming from a Mustang Cobra that had leather seats (inserts), these feel WAY more luxurious and supple. Had I come from a 7 series Bimmer, I may have a different opinion. I still think the top of the center console, door armrests and door inserts are leather and will believe that until someone can give me different proof they are not.

Mine has no cracks whatsoever. Its all about perspective. Coming from a Mustang Cobra that had leather seats (inserts), these feel WAY more luxurious and supple. Had I come from a 7 series Bimmer, I may have a different opinion. I still think the top of the center console, door armrests and door inserts are leather and will believe that until someone can give me different proof they are not.

I'm not sure what kind of leather you are used to, but it is quite obvious to me that all these parts are vinyl.

I think you are being fooled because the way these parts are padded make them feel a bit different than the seats.

I find the 8th gen leather hard and vinyl-like, the leather in my 2003 was nice and soft and worked good, and with the seat heater on high.. heaven on your bum. The 2005 is stiffer than the 2003, but I guess 100k miles ill soften the leather up pretty good.

now Volvo leather.. *drools*

The '09 TSX - '09 TL - '09 RL leather... yummm! :D

I'm sure it's not hard to find out which grade/type of leather is used on the Accord, etc'.

I'll email a few industry insiders & see what they say.

FWIW, my NSX came w/ Nappa leather, which is/was considered quite a premium/desired leather at the time, and even until recently.

Connelly leather is/was delish', as well. . .

I don't know about that. How can you prove this?
You could take the console lid apart and see the backing of the fabric. If you want to believe it's leather, that's fine with me, but it's not. And I have the most expensive Accord, so do you think I'd lie about it? Good day.
JC

You could take the console lid apart and see the backing of the fabric. If you want to believe it's leather, that's fine with me, but it's not. And I have the most expensive Accord, so do you think I'd lie about it? Good day.
JC

I don't really care. I love my Accord, and it's a great car. If I wanted a lux-vehicle I would have stepped up to a BMW. But that's just me of course...

I don't really care. I love my Accord, and it's a great car.
Same here, but it's stupid to deny its obvious shortcomings.
And about the BMW, chances are you couldn't afford it; don't fool yourself:D. But even if you could, the Accord is the better vaule by far, and that's why I'm driving one. Besides, if the vinyl on the console and doors bothered somebody, it'd be relatively cheap to replace. Take care.
JC

Instead of complaining about what we've bought already, let's concentrate on saving up money for pure leather, or get a BMW..

You guys w/ the OEM leather-interior should get the vinyl (pleather... :D) door-inserts & armrests covers perforated (takes minutes to remove & maybe seconds to punch-out the holes by a professional upholsterer/leather-shop. It'd go real well w/ the rest of the interior in terms of contrast/materials/texture/finish/etc'. . .

I've been very disappointed in my '08 "Leather" as well. In fact, that goes for the '04 coupe I had and the '02 sedan as well. I had them replace the "Covers" on the '04 under warranty just before I traded it in because it was worn so bad.

My '08 is just a year old but the the drivers seat is already looking more worn than you'd expect. I have a real problem with the blue from blue jeans (old jeans) rubbing off on the seat thigh edges mainly over a few months. I use the Lexol products and that works fairly well but I wouldn't thing "Real" leather would do this sort of thing as quick.

I'll just have to remember to see about replacing the seat covers again on this car before the warranty runs out when I get that close.

Mine has no cracks whatsoever. Its all about perspective. Coming from a Mustang Cobra that had leather seats (inserts), these feel WAY more luxurious and supple. Had I come from a 7 series Bimmer, I may have a different opinion. I still think the top of the center console, door armrests and door inserts are leather and will believe that until someone can give me different proof they are not.

I hope your right, I know many cars costing thousands more that don't use real leather on these areas, if Honda has found a way to do so KUDO's to them. But my fingers tell me otherwise.

Let's hope someone provides a definitive answer. Inquiring minds need to know, is it LEATHER or VINYL???

For what its worth, according to part numbers, the center armrest is the same in the EX and EX-L. Either honda is being generous by giving non EX-L owners a leather center armrest or they are being on the cheap and gave EX-L owners a nice pleather center armrest. Personally, I don't think it feels like leather at all.

As for the seats, I was originally going to get the EX-L for the auto-climate and other neat little gimmicks but I just couldn't get over my distaste for the leather(?) seats. I found the fabric in the EX trim to be much more desirable. But that's just my taste.

I took samples from the armrest and door inserts to a local lab for analysis. Turns out they really are vinyl. :lmao:

No... I didn't really. Just being a smartass... but apparently this is what it would take for some to believe that the material used is really NOT leather. I'm tired of debating it now so believe what you want to. I know it's vinyl and that's all that matters.

It's vinyl. It's not even close. Period. End of discussion.

BTW, even much more expensive cars don't use real leather on armrests and centerconsoles (example, benz CLk models).

For what its worth, according to part numbers, the center armrest is the same in the EX and EX-L. Either honda is being generous by giving non EX-L owners a leather center armrest or they are being on the cheap and gave EX-L owners a nice pleather center armrest. Personally, I don't think it feels like leather at all.

As for the seats, I was originally going to get the EX-L for the auto-climate and other neat little gimmicks but I just couldn't get over my distaste for the leather(?) seats. I found the fabric in the EX trim to be much more desirable. But that's just my taste.

I felt the same way...that's why I ended up getting the EX instead of scrounging around looking for an EX-L. I saved some moolah and have stopped regretting my decision, I'm much more comfortable now.

BTW, even much more expensive cars don't use real leather on armrests and centerconsoles (example, benz CLk models).


Exactly. If you want leather everything then buy a Rolls or Bentley. :nuts:

I'm planning to have the armrests pads and centerconsole covered in real leather soon. It should cost me around $200 but it will be worth it. I hate how the vinyl sticks to your arms during summer. LOL

i don't think to highly of the "leather" myself, ive been treating the seats with meguiers, but i already have a gazillion cracks in the seats,

Man, if some of you already have cracks and what not in your leather seats...makes me happy that I saved the $2k and got just the EX.

Mine has no cracks whatsoever.

I'm exceptionally curious if these "cracks" that A1 are claiming are literally cracks in the leather, or simply crack-shaped creases which are a natural result of leather being leather. Leather creases in response to people getting in and out of the seat. The outer bolsters are particularly prone to this creasing, especially if you (and/or your front passengers) are mindful of not sliding into the seat, which will cause excessive creasing on the bolsters and (without proper care) WILL literally crack the leather over a long period of time.

There's virtually NO WAY this has already happened to an '08, even if you were neglectful in caring for the leather. The Acura RSX had this problem (and WOULD literally crack over time), and it was primarily due to how people got in and out their seats, how often they cared for the leather, and the fact that the bolsters were rather high (even moreso than the Accord Coupe, which slightly higher yet than the sedan).

Knowing all of this, I've always been quite mindful and careful to not slide into or out of my seats. I swing my left leg out over the bolster to get out so as not to crush the bolster which would not only crease and possibly eventually crack the leather, but also prematurely erode the inner padding into deformed ugliness (this happens to a lot of S2000s).

Know what you have, take extra measures to keep it in tip-top condition, and don't gripe when you don't. =)

It is just a Accord when I got mine I thought it was nice for the price but never had the expectations that I would of if I would have got a Acura or a BMW. I don't think the Accord was ever made to compete directly with those cars that sell for over $40,000.

I hate how the vinyl sticks to your arms during summer. LOL
That's exactly why I like leather too here in hot TX.

As a side comment, my '06 GTO, which cost almost the same as this coupe, has leather everything, even the middle of the rear seat, which is not even a seat. The quality was also inferior, as expected, but at least it was all leather:thmsup:. Only thing I miss from my expensive cars is the leather quality, but I can definitely live without it. Not willing to spend a fortune just for that.

And leave these guys alone; let them think they have leather console and armrests:lmao:. Good day gang.
JC

It's vinyl. It's not even close. Period. End of discussion.

BTW, even much more expensive cars don't use real leather on armrests and centerconsoles (example, benz CLk models).

From what I recall when looking at the BMW 3-series, it comes with leatherette, not just the armrests and console, but the seats. Real leather was an option though. Though, the 3-series is pretty much only a 'luxury' model over on this side of the Atlantic.

^ even w/ the leather-option chosen, the 1-series/3-series/5-series all have limited leather-content in their interiors (excluding the M models). . .

BMW hoses people on actual leather content (it's nowhere as much as you'd assume it was). Though, their aggressively-bolstered/ergonomically-contoured seats are yummy if you're a driving enthusiast! :cool:

I'm exceptionally curious if these "cracks" that A1 are claiming are literally cracks in the leather, or simply crack-shaped creases which are a natural result of leather being leather. Leather creases in response to people getting in and out of the seat. The outer bolsters are particularly prone to this creasing, especially if you (and/or your front passengers) are mindful of not sliding into the seat, which will cause excessive creasing on the bolsters and (without proper care) WILL literally crack the leather over a long period of time.

There's virtually NO WAY this has already happened to an '08, even if you were neglectful in caring for the leather. The Acura RSX had this problem (and WOULD literally crack over time), and it was primarily due to how people got in and out their seats, how often they cared for the leather, and the fact that the bolsters were rather high (even moreso than the Accord Coupe, which slightly higher yet than the sedan).

Knowing all of this, I've always been quite mindful and careful to not slide into or out of my seats. I swing my left leg out over the bolster to get out so as not to crush the bolster which would not only crease and possibly eventually crack the leather, but also prematurely erode the inner padding into deformed ugliness (this happens to a lot of S2000s).

Know what you have, take extra measures to keep it in tip-top condition, and don't gripe when you don't. =)

Talk about hitting the nail on the head. Excellent assessment!

Alright, I just bought some of the Zaino "Leather in a Bottle." I think it's safe to say this is the BEST leather conditioner I have ever used. I would recommend this to anyone! :)

Alright, I just bought some of the Zaino "Leather in a Bottle." I think it's safe to say this is the BEST leather conditioner I have ever used. I would recommend this to anyone! :)

Absolutely!!! I ordered it 2 weeks ago and couldn't wait to put it on my seats. The seats look, feel, and smell extraodinary. The entire car still smells like fresh leather 2 weeks later. I really cannot reccomend this product enough.

I'm not sure what kind of leather you are used to, but it is quite obvious to me that all these parts are vinyl.

I think you are being fooled because the way these parts are padded make them feel a bit different than the seats.

You are partially correct in saying it is vinyl. BUT it is not entirely composed of vinyl. It is actually a mixture of vinyl and leather (more of it being vinyl). I believe when Ford first came out with the synthetic mixture they called it "pleather". But nonetheless, the mixture still contains leather compounds. If in fact is was pure vinyl, it would be more noticeable and therefore VERY unpoplular.

Instead of complaining about what we've bought already, let's concentrate on saving up money for pure leather, or get a BMW..

couldnt have said it beter myself!