[Whoomba]

Is “sueded microfiber” really better than leather or just the “in” thing?

[C5Lou]

Had a 2016 Z06 with the suede interior and never warmed up to it.


One of the primary reasons I chose the SS over the ZL1 is I did not want the microfiber (or alcantera, whatever it's called) over leather. Tried to talk the dealer into a special order but they wouldn't have it.

[FarmerFran]

I personally like the Alcantara better

[Nothing like an SS]

Alcantara started on exotic sports cars, more livable than leather and much lighter (that is the key, weight!), also cheaper, so win/win for a sports car

I personally like the alcantara

[jamala00]

I've said this in other threads...If you go with an Acura and you get the Type S Trim, you get the Alcantara material. If you go with the Type S Advanced (Top Trim) you get full leather. To me leather is a more "premium" material. That being said, I prefer cloth seats over leather, so I'd prefer the Alcantara on the seats only. I think the Alcantara on the steering wheel and shift nob is just a horrible idea.

[m6-lt1]

That’s up for you to decide. Personally I like it because it feels softer to the touch and doesn’t burn you in the summer time. As someone stated above it started in exotic/super cars so it makes me feel like I am sitting in something special each time I get in my 1le. It’s also more rare to see in a car. A Honda civic has a quality leather steering wheel so to me leather is the more basic material in cars.

[Aaron07]

Alacantra is a fancy name for microfiber. Gimme leather

[arpad_m]

GM must have lost a bunch of ZL1 orders due to not allowing people to spec their cars with pleather interiors. I'm not a fan of alcantara either, it's hard to believe that thing can be kept clean, and it just doesn't look appealing to me.

Yes, I know this trend began with supercars, so it's supposed to feel premium, and yes, pleather doesn't give the best experience in extreme temps, but hey, that's why we have seat fans and heaters

[Iconic]

I had alcantara seats, shift knob, and steering wheel in my 2017 Vette. I liked it on the seats but not on the knob or steering wheel. I will have the same take when my 1LE gets delivered.

[Gunkk]

For my hands (wheel and stick), Leather > Alcantara. Reason: Leather grips better on skin.

For my body (seat), Alcantara > Leather. Reason: Alcantara grips better on clothing (less sliding around in the seat).

[Exia]

My Z06 has a lot of suede (seats, door panels, center console, shifter, wheel). I love sitting in it and resting my arms on it because suede does not get hot or cold, I don't like touching it with my hands because of all the oils so I clean the wheel and shifter often to keep it nice. I would have zero issues with a leather wheel and shifter but suede for the seats.

[Ericdared]

Leather all the way.

[NZ ZL1]

It's just the "in" thing. It's nice on some parts of the car but, personally, i hate it on the steering wheel

[ember1205]

My first choice would be actual Italian leather. That's available in VERY few vehicles, though.

Second is the fake leather that we get in most of today's vehicles that claim "leather" (pleather, as @arpad_m mentioned). The light colors you have to be very careful with, though, or the dye from your jeans is going to discolor it.

Third is cloth. Surprisingly, the cloth seats from GM hold up fairly well. My truck has 100k on it and really doesn't show any signs of wear.

My "never" choice is the alcantara. When I was looking to buy, there was a dealer near me that had three cars on the lot that were exactly what I wanted and possibly an extra option or two that I wasn't necessarily after. But every one of the cars had Recaro seats, the alcatara wheel, or both. I drove 150 miles to get a car that was almost exactly what I wanted instead.

I've considered trading and getting a ZL1 and won't do that either because of the alcantara and the dark rims (I love dark rims on their own but am always disappointed that you can't really SEE them on the car).