They always say that the car in front of you is a Toyota. Well, there is a good chance that the one behind you is a Nissan.
Overall, Nissan cars are very reliable and economical in terms of maintenance and fuel consumption.
They are a top choice for many people, especially families. And have consistently released newer models for the past two decades, most of which are very reliable.
As much as performance is one of the key things people look for in a car, the interior also matters because it’s where you will be spending most of your time.
We all have to agree that Nissan is doing a commendable job in upgrading the look of their interiors, especially in the more recent models. This has helped them stay on the same level as their competitors.
In an attempt to upgrade interiors, Nissan uses leather in some of their cars, especially the high-end models. This should not come as a surprise as this is what other brands such as Toyota do.
As you may already know, cars are built for different types of consumers. Some prioritize luxury more and that’s where leather interiors come in. At the same time, there are car buyers who want a reliable but economical vehicle.
Since Nissan doesn’t want to leave some of their customers feeling neglected, they use leatherette or cloth on the edges and leather where the body may come into contact with the seat.
Depending on the price range of the Nissan model, they may use a cloth interior.
Car buyers are often given the choice to choose the type of upholstery material or trim that they want. We will look into that later on.
So, it is important to evaluate what material are you looking for in a car interior. Is it authentic leather you are after or are you comfortable with leatherette or a cloth interior?
What Type of Leather Does Nissan Use?
Because of leather’s high cost and the fight for animal rights, many car brands have decided to create their interior material. Subaru has done so and Nissan has not been left behind.
If you have been looking at various Nissan models and comparing the interior options, you may have come across the term Sofilez, which is Nissan’s luxurious soft synthetic leather.
Nissan claims that this new material is as soft as a baby’s cheek. If you love pinching baby cheeks then you can testify to how great it feels.
Well, that is what you can expect to feel when you touch Nissan’s new synthetic leather upholstery. It has a cushiony surface that makes it as pliable as the skin on your fingertips.
It’s also important to note that Sofilez boasts of a fingerprint-like texture.
Here Are More Features of Sofilez;
• Resistance
Compared to other materials, Sofilez is more tear-resistant. If you find a soft leather-like material on a surface, you expect it to tear easily.
However, that is not the case with Sofilez. It is very durable and you can look around in models such as the Nissan FUGA where it has been used on the armrest.
• Texture
It feels just like genuine leather. Another feature that leaves most car owners in shock is how the touch of Sofilez is exactly like real leather. And because of that, the material is as comfortable as leather.
• Weight
Sofilez is slightly lighter than leather. Weighing 40% less than leather, Sofilez is very light and that makes it ideal for lowering the weight of a vehicle.
Other than being soft to the touch and durable, overall, Sofilez is a great material to have in your Nissan car. It is made up of a perfectly balanced texture.
This is something you will feel when you touch it. Also, Sofilez is an excellent alternative to leather as it doesn’t infringe on animal rights.
Even though it is synthetic, Sofilez is produced in an environmentally friendly manner.
Hopefully, Nissan will begin using more of this material in all their car models and their customers will enjoy a comfortable and great-looking interior.
What Other Options Does Nissan Have?
If you are interested in buying a Nissan, you need to familiarize yourself with all the upholstery options provided by this brand.
The good news is, Nissan does offer its clients several choices when it comes to upholstery, other than the popular choices which are cloth and leather.
Depending on your interior needs, as a car buyer, you need to weigh the pros and cons of every material before settling on one. Here are the various upholstery options offered by Nissan;
• Leatherette
We have already talked about leather. However, what is that material that looks like leather but doesn’t feel like leather? That is the popular leatherette.
This is a man-made material that is more like vinyl, but it doesn’t crack easily. Leatherette is becoming popular amongst car brands and Nissan uses it too.
Compared to cloth, leatherette is more of a premium option. In terms of quality, however, leatherette is no match for genuine leather.
Similar to leather, leatherette has its pros and cons. It is affordable and looks like leather. if you are not careful enough, you might not even distinguish the two.
It doesn’t fade easily when exposed to sunlight. Another reason why most people prefer leatherette is that it’s cruelty-free and very easy to clean.
On the downside, leatherette doesn’t breathe as well as other materials. So, if you sweat a lot, you may always leave a pool of sweat behind on hot days.
Compared to genuine leather, leatherette doesn’t have a high resale value. And it’s non-biodegradable.
• Leather-Appointed
These are seats that feature leather and other materials. This is a new design that is gaining popularity in nearly all car brands, Nissan included.
Leather-appointed features the use of leather on areas where the skin makes contact with the seat such as the back and seating area. And then leatherette is used on the other parts such as the edges.
As you can see from the above, all these materials have their pros and cons. And that’s why some people prefer the simple cloth interior.
It doesn’t get cold in winter and neither does it get hot in summer. However, maintaining the cleanliness of a cloth interior isn’t always easy as the stains can be stubborn to remove.
Leather-appointed brings a balance between the two, it has the best value and doesn’t get too hot. It is also a very durable material to have on your upholstery.
Leather, on the other hand, has a great smell. If you love that scent of real leather, then this is a must-have in your interior.
Secondly, leather has an excellent touch. It is soft and has a higher resale value compared to other materials.
On the downside, leather is very expensive to have and maintain. Leather trim options always cost more if it doesn’t come standard in your Nissan model package.
It isn’t vegan-friendly and can get very hot in summer and cold in winter.
What Leather Interiors Does Nissan Have?
This will heavily depend on the model you want to buy from Nissan. However, the most common leather trims include; light gray leather, charcoal leather, tan semi-aniline leather, new beige, S110 pure black, N18089 chocolate, and charcoal semi-aniline leather amongst others.
Should the leather material of your Nissan wear out, you can easily have it replaced. But ensure you find the right detailer for this job.
Other Things You Should Know about Nissan Leather Seats
A lot of buyers looking into leather and leatherette seats in a Nissan are always worried about how hot or cold the seats get. Leatherette is made from synthetic materials.
And unlike genuine leather, it will easily get hot or cold depending on the temperatures. This is something you should expect to deal with when you go for leatherette instead of leather.
However, in matters related to maintenance, you don’t need to invest a lot of time and effort in cleaning leatherette.
Leather on the other hand requires regular cleaning and condition. If you don’t do this, the leather in your Nissan interior will harden and crack easily.
If you were wondering if there is much of a difference between leather and leatherette seats then you should know there are a couple of differences.
For starters, leather is more expensive than its counterpart. And you should be able to tell the difference between the two just by looking or touching.
For those buying cars from dealers, it is easy to get tricked into thinking the leather in a Nissan is genuine only to find it’s fake. You should be able to tell leather from vinyl. The smell and touch of leather are very different from vinyl.
Should you find it hard to choose between leather and leatherette, you can always opt for leather-appointed. Not only does it offer you the benefits of these two types of materials but it is more affordable.
Alternatively, you can request Sofilez which is Nissan’s synthetic and luxurious leather upholstery.