If you are looking to purchase a new vehicle, you have plenty of options to consider. On top of picking the right make and model for your needs, you also need to choose the trim and options that suit you. One of the main decisions you’ll need to make is what type of seat material you want. Would you rather have affordable cloth seats or upscale leather? Toyota presents a different option—SofTex®. Read on to learn more about SofTex® seats and how they compare to leather.
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First, it might be helpful to learn a little more about SofTex® and the type of material it is. Basically, it’s a synthetic leather seat material that is soft to the touch and designed for resisting spills and easy cleaning. The aspect that really sets it apart from conventional synthetic leather, however, is how it’s made. The process is more environmentally friendly; it generates about 85% fewer carbon dioxide emissions and 99% fewer Volatile Organic Compounds. Additionally, SofTex® does not have any animal-based material in its makeup.
Since leather and SofTex® material are similar in look and feel, we are focusing on how the two types compare when it comes to temperature and maintenance.
Temperature: Leather seats absorb extreme temperatures, which means they are very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. SofTex® seats, on the other hand, are designed to be more breathable in both hot and cold temperatures.
Maintenance: While leather and SofTex® are both great for preventing stains, SofTex® is quite a bit more durable in the long term. Leather seats require cleaning and conditioning every few months, but SofTex® is built to withstand wear much more effectively.
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If you’d like to get a closer look at the differences between leather and SofTex® seats, we invite you to get in touch with our team at Toyota Vacaville. Feel free to check out our current inventory and schedule a time to get behind the wheel at your convenience.