Typically, there are three main options for a car’s interior material: cloth, synthetic (fake) leather, and real leather. Each of these materials may affect the resale value of your vehicle in different ways. Cloth seats are typically viewed as less luxurious than leather but are preferred by some for their affordability. Plastic seats are typically not as durable as leather and can struggle with quality issues, but are preferred by some due the lack of animal hides present while still providing a similar appearance to leather. Real leather, on the other hand is often viewed as the premium seating option due to its quality, durability, comfort, and other many beneifts. This reputation is reflected through added resale value as many consumers are willing to pay a premium and prefer cars with real leather.
Buying a new car is a major purchasing decision that typically reoccurs every five to ten years depending on the individual. Considering the frequency of buying and selling cars, it is wise to buy cars with features that hold their value well over time in order to maximize the return on a future sale or trade-in. The good news is that many of the features that contribute to long-lasting value are in your control as a buyer. One key purchasing decision that is known to help increase the resell value of your car is purchasing leather seats and interiors.
Overall, real leather is a great choice to help you maximize the resale value and desirability of your car. If you end up holding onto your car long term, leather is long-lasting and provides many benefits that make it a great choice for consumers.