Just want to see what people think of the leather:

Please vote

I had the "premium" cloth in my '08 EX Sedan. Now I have an '09 EX-L and am liking the leather a lot. Well, a lot better compared to the EX cloth anyway. LX trim levels have a different type of cloth, never have experienced that in person.

I used to be a cloth only person, absolutely despising leather. But really I don't think the leather in the 8th gen Accord is all that bad. Of course, I also condition mine regularly.

the cloth in the LX is better than the EX.. softer, smoother and easier to keep clean.. i also think it looks nicer.. the EX cloth is just too busy looking with the mesh and its a bitch to keep clean..
as with honda leather.. it ages fast.. so keep conditioning it.. i got katzkin leather on mine

For reference, since some may not know that LX and EX have different cloth...

LX
http://www.stephenfsnow.com/photos/ivory_lx.jpg

EX
http://www.stephenfsnow.com/photos/ivory_ex.jpg

EX-L
http://www.stephenfsnow.com/photos/leather_ex-l.jpg

I think you didn't quite understand my statement when I said honda leather isn't real...of course it is there but I'm saying the leather they use isn't of the highest quality...-_- being that this is my first actual vehicle with leather I can say that the leather is fine for what I'm paying for...if this car was say $40k or so and you got this kind of leather there'd be some people who'd be very upset with the fit and finish of the leather =T so comparatively for the price the leather is fine...

I think you didn't quite understand my statement when I said honda leather isn't real...

what? who are you talking about?

the OP made this post to prove a point to me on a statement i made on another thread

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showpost.php?p=445030&postcount=30

Oh, never mind Neiklot, I see you guys were debating in another thread... sorry :D

I am pleased with the leather in my Accord. As long as you make minimal effort to maintain it, you should be pleased as well.

mike.

I am personally not a leather guy in general... so I was disappointed I couldn't get the car in suede. But the leather ain't great... nor is it the worst I have seen.

Fair is my choice, What are you going to do.

I think you didn't quite understand my statement when I said honda leather isn't real...of course it is there but I'm saying the leather they use isn't of the highest quality...-_- being that this is my first actual vehicle with leather I can say that the leather is fine for what I'm paying for...if this car was say $40k or so and you got this kind of leather there'd be some people who'd be very upset with the fit and finish of the leather =T so comparatively for the price the leather is fine...

the fit on the OEM leather is fine. . its only when you sit in a Lexus, or Infiniti and then you sit in the honda leather its like night and day.. plus for watever reason honda's oem leather stains and cracks faster than others

The leather wasn't really a draw for me when I was deciding on which trim level to get (and my wife hates it). The main problem I have with leather is how hot it gets in the summertime, not to mention how cold it is in the winter. Besides, I've found that cloth just holds up better over long periods of time in Hondas. Thus my decision to pick up an EX rather than an EX-L.

Gotta tell you, though, I had the chance to drive a Hyundai Genesis sedan with leather for a few days, and it had an air-conditioned driver's seat. Now, that's a feature I wish you could get in a Honda! So nice on really hot days.

The leather wasn't really a draw for me when I was deciding on which trim level to get (and my wife hates it). The main problem I have with leather is how hot it gets in the summertime, not to mention how cold it is in the winter. Besides, I've found that cloth just holds up better over long periods of time in Hondas. Thus my decision to pick up an EX rather than an EX-L.

Gotta tell you, though, I had the chance to drive a Hyundai Genesis sedan with leather for a few days, and it had an air-conditioned driver's seat. Now, that's a feature I wish you could get in a Honda! So nice on really hot days.

I know right?! When i was test driving the Lexus IS i loved that feature!! Being here in FL the summers are nasty and I would LOVE that feature...sadly the accord doesn't have that...i dont even think Acura does, does it? Then again Honda wasn't really known for all their numerous "high tech features" =T

Hell ya. Leather V6 Navi the works...

It isn't the best leather or the worst. What really sucks in the vinyl they use on the side bolster of the seat. That is the worst quality I have seen and will crease and look horirble after 2-3 years of use.

I like the cloth in the EX much better...feels better when sitting in it naked too!

Absolutely fine with the leather in my Honda. I never expected it to be Lexus quality but let me tell you, it's not all that far from BMW leather quality. Like other users here I am not happy with the use of vinyl on the door panels...and I believe the armrest too, right? Sure doesn't fell like leather.

I like the cloth in the EX much better...feels better when sitting in it naked too!

James May would agree!

http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2008/03/stories/07/images/7/large.jpg

This episode of Top Gear was on last night. Best show on television.

i love my EX cloth... the LX cloth is easier to clean (i guess if you have kids or have an issue keeping it cleaning) but the feel of the the cloth is sooooo much better in the EX the liner is suade (not real i don't think, but it feels like it) on the sides and the cloth is actually really soft... i didn't even notice till one day i was coming back from the gym and i could actually feel the cloth... its really nice...

i have leather on 2 other cars, and honda leather is CRAP compared to Nissan or Audi which are 100x better quality and feel... i would save getting the EXL just for leather and get katzkin for much better feel and quality...

I like my leather, however, my passenger seat's side bolster leather portion popped a little. Perhaps the dealer will replace it for free.

i have leather and i like it just make sure you used lexol on it to keep it soft.

I like the cloth in the EX much better...feels better when sitting in it naked too!

I need to find a chick, who feels this way:banana:

When I was looking for my Accord, for me, leather was a deal beaker. In the summer time, the leather gets way to hot, it feels like I'm gonna burn my mmm, and get a first degree burn.:yes:

Ex cloth for me (or no car)...

James May would agree!

http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2008/03/stories/07/images/7/large.jpg

This episode of Top Gear was on last night. Best show on television.

love top gear one of the funniest shows ive seen. :thmsup:

Gotta tell you, though, I had the chance to drive a Hyundai Genesis sedan with leather for a few days, and it had an air-conditioned driver's seat. Now, that's a feature I wish you could get in a Honda! So nice on really hot days.

You can with the RL...

it's not all that far from BMW leather quality.

Are you talking about BMW's real leather option? Because most BMW's come with leatherette, a 100% synthetic material.

Only 10% of bmw's get leatherette...

Last time I was looking at BMW's, all of the 1-series, 3-series, the 528's, all of the X3's, and the X5 30i come with leatherette. That's pretty much the bulk of BMW models on the road. Unless the majority of them are upgraded to the real leather...

Dunno where you were looking ..spent last 18 yes as a field rep for BMW...install rate in the line for leatherette is approx 10%...not too diff for all the other hi line luxury brands either...

getting back to the accord leather, it simply is not thick or quality enuf. It's a "must have" on the product planner's worksheet but to keep the option in the proper price ladder vs competition, it has to be cheap. You get what you pay for. And again, the competition is no different, their stuff is cheap too.

Dunno where you were looking ..spent last 18 yes as a field rep for BMW...install rate in the line for leatherette is approx 10%...not too diff for all the other hi line luxury brands either...

bmwusa.com

And again, the competition is no different, their stuff is cheap too.

I agree, I don't think the Camry or Altima leather feels any better. I've never seen the Mazda 6 leather though...

Oh, forgot to mention, I finally went out at bought some Lexol Leather Conditioner. Treated the seats this morning. However, knowing that the sides of the seats are vinyl, should I treat those with the Lexol Vinyl stuff instead? Would make the weekly leather cleaning/conditioning routine more complicated....

And regarding the BMW leatherette. I do have to say it still feels and looks better than the Accord's leather. If a company can develop a synthetic leather that looks and feels better than the real leather in a lot of cars, I say awesome. And I think BMW should be proud of that, since producing synthetic leather seems to be much more environmentally friendly than producing real leather. But I'm sure overall people have a stigma regarding synthetic leather.

Are you talking about BMW's real leather option? Because most BMW's come with leatherette, a 100% synthetic material.
The BMW I had was in Europe and it was leather but the quality of the BMW leather was not far better than the one in the Accord. It was better but not like the difference between the Accord and the Lexus. Not sure about the leather in US BMWs, maybe this is different and better quality...keep in mind that in Europe a lot of BMWs still come with cloth interiors, leather is entirely optional and very expensive, lotsa Euros.

The BMW I had was in Europe and it was leather but the quality of the BMW leather was not far better than the one in the Accord. It was better but not like the difference between the Accord and the Lexus. Not sure about the leather in US BMWs, maybe this is different and better quality...keep in mind that in Europe a lot of BMWs still come with cloth interiors, leather is entirely optional and very expensive, lotsa Euros.

I was about to say, both the BMW and Merc I had in Europe had nasty cloth interiors. And lots of cheap plastic...

leather man. I got it and i love it.

Since it's my first car with leather seats, i'm loving it so far..

Since it's my first car with leather seats, i'm loving it so far..

Ditto. I really do like the leather in my Accord even if its cheap, I ain't fancy. :D

Anyway, after treating it with Lexol, I can tell a difference already. One treatment and it's made the leather softer and smoother. It was only $9 for a bottle at my local Advanced Auto Parts... well worth it.

i like the leather so far

Definitely leather!!!
Just make sure you take care of it

Last time I was looking at BMW's, all of the 1-series, 3-series, the 528's, all of the X3's, and the X5 30i come with leatherette. That's pretty much the bulk of BMW models on the road. Unless the majority of them are upgraded to the real leather...

All of those vehicles come standard with Leatherette. However, the premium package requires Leather (as does cold weather IIRC). Since premium includes a lot of popular options (and a lot of popular options require premium), the majority of configurations that have anything more than just bare bone options require leather.

All of those vehicles come standard with Leatherette. However, the premium package requires Leather (as does cold weather IIRC). Since premium includes a lot of popular options (and a lot of popular options require premium), the majority of configurations that have anything more than just bare bone options require leather.

Oooo, ok. That makes sense. :)