Car interiors go faux as luxury brands push eco fabrics and put a premium on real leather

Eco fabrics are becoming the default in luxury cars, pushing real leather to the margins of modern car interiors.

Jeep, Infiniti, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are among the automakers replacing leather with synthetic and recycled materials.

Real leather is still available, but customers are charged extra if they want it.

The change signals a new direction for luxury cars and raises questions about what premium interiors mean today.

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Which cars are getting faux leather?

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee is one example of this shift.

Even the top Overland trim comes with Capri leatherette and does not offer real leather.

Infiniti has also changed its approach with the QX60, which uses TailorFit upholstery made from 65 percent recycled material across most trims.

Semi-aniline leather is limited to the range-topping Autograph version.

German brands have taken similar steps.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, priced above $62,000, is delivered with MB-Tex seats as standard. Real leather costs an additional $1,620.

BMW applies the same model to the X5, which uses Sensafin upholstery unless buyers pay $1,950 more for leather.

Eco fabrics now appear across entire lineups, while real leather is positioned as a premium option.

For buyers, the experience is changing. Real leather once defined the interior of luxury cars, but it is no longer guaranteed.

Automakers are looking at alternatives

Other automakers are investing in a wider range of alternatives. Land Rover fits Ultrafabrics on the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

Polestar offers certified wool and bio-attributed textiles such as MicroTech and WeaveTech.

The financial and regulatory context adds to the shift.

Eco fabrics are cheaper to produce and support sustainability goals.

Real leather, kept as a paid option, provides another revenue stream for manufacturers.

This mix allows automakers to adapt to stricter rules while still selling traditional materials to those who want them.

Real leather has not disappeared from luxury cars, but it no longer sets the standard.

It has become a selective and costly extra.

Eco fabrics now define the everyday design of car interiors, while real leather is treated as an exclusive choice in a changing market.

The long-term picture remains uncertain, as eco fabrics are still new and their durability has not been tested over decades.

Leather has a known record of aging well when cared for, sometimes even adding value to vintage cars.

Eco fabrics may prove equally resilient, but it is not yet clear how they will look or perform after years of use.

For now, they provide a suitable alternative to leather, though the long-term feel and durability remain open questions.

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