Seat query - Page 2

volvocamper · Dec 7th, 2021, 07:27

I think a lot of ‘leather’ car seats are actually reconstituted leather as that is less wasteful than trying to cut leather from what once once a living animal and we seem to not want imperfections in our leather and that must be very very difficult so the reconstituted leather goes through many processes to get it into something that resembles a sheet out of which a panel for a seat can be cut. This process removes some of the natural properties of the leather and thus it loses much of its smell. It is a little like calling chipboard ‘timber’, it is but isnt!
The (Nappa) leather on the front seats of the new R-Design XC90s is vv good and unlike my 2018 model does not have the perforations which i think is a good thing.
It seems since March this year Volvo has reduced the amount of real leather in the XC90 in favour of more artificial leather (which even they call vinyl) in areas such as I have stated, the edges of the 2nd row seating, the centre console, the steering wheel and i bet the key fob. None of these are deal breakers but to an old boy like me detract from the Volvo experience just a bit and this next one will be my 3rd so had a little experience.
I realise the future for Volvo is away from leather to what they call more sustainable products but i still cant see what can be more sustainable than leather, a by product of the food industry rather than a product manufactured using chemicals. I best stop here as we are bordering on questioning life-styles over which we all have a choice - but take exception to my choice to have leather and a Volvo becoming compromised.
I am enjoying the views and at the moment am likely to keep with the standard seats as I will have the benefit of the Nubuck driving seat (which I prefer to leather) and just not looking in the 2nd row!!!!!
Still be interested to learn if the full Nappa option has non leather sides though and in the comments.

Dohnut · Dec 7th, 2021, 11:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by volvocamper

and i bet the key fob.

Yeah… just go with the mindset it won’t be real leather then at least you won’t be disappointed.

Real leather can be had on eBay. Pricey though.

S90 · Dec 17th, 2021, 10:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Familyman 90

BMW are doing similar on some models now. Leather is one of the commodities in short worldwide supply.

Actually its more down to C02 reduction and peoples preferences.

Dec 7th, 2021, 07:27	#11
volvocamper Master Member Last Online: Yesterday 18:06 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Norwich	I think a lot of ‘leather’ car seats are actually reconstituted leather as that is less wasteful than trying to cut leather from what once once a living animal and we seem to not want imperfections in our leather and that must be very very difficult so the reconstituted leather goes through many processes to get it into something that resembles a sheet out of which a panel for a seat can be cut. This process removes some of the natural properties of the leather and thus it loses much of its smell. It is a little like calling chipboard ‘timber’, it is but isnt! The (Nappa) leather on the front seats of the new R-Design XC90s is vv good and unlike my 2018 model does not have the perforations which i think is a good thing. It seems since March this year Volvo has reduced the amount of real leather in the XC90 in favour of more artificial leather (which even they call vinyl) in areas such as I have stated, the edges of the 2nd row seating, the centre console, the steering wheel and i bet the key fob. None of these are deal breakers but to an old boy like me detract from the Volvo experience just a bit and this next one will be my 3rd so had a little experience. I realise the future for Volvo is away from leather to what they call more sustainable products but i still cant see what can be more sustainable than leather, a by product of the food industry rather than a product manufactured using chemicals. I best stop here as we are bordering on questioning life-styles over which we all have a choice - but take exception to my choice to have leather and a Volvo becoming compromised. I am enjoying the views and at the moment am likely to keep with the standard seats as I will have the benefit of the Nubuck driving seat (which I prefer to leather) and just not looking in the 2nd row!!!!! Still be interested to learn if the full Nappa option has non leather sides though and in the comments.

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