- Thread starter
- #21
I think its both the leather and the foam underneath. The foam is probably distorted, and the "leather" stretched. Is it even leather?
How are your front seats?
- Thread starter hkcj
- Start date
That's funny because my LC's predecessor was a '14 Volvo. Their seats are legendary for their ergonomics and quality. Please keep us in the loop about this saga!
Do you guys get real leather over there in Aus we are given something called leatherette or fake leather. I spilt some air freshener on it only a couple of drops and it blew up like a balloon- I was panicking I put some paper towel on it and a little detergent to see if it would help. Came back in about 2 hours and you wouldn’t know anything had happened, was I relieved. I have since covered the seats with back duck touring seat covers.
I had the same issues with my last two vehicles left front seat. My Honda was leather and did it. My VW was leatherette and also did it.
I bought the 1958 for the cloth interior so I wouldn't have this issue
I bought the 1958 for the cloth interior so I wouldn't have this issue
- Oct 15, 2024
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- Thread starter
- #26
According to the Toyota website its supposed to be real leather, but I don't even think it matters really, as its the foam underneath that is collasping.
- Thread starter
- #27
Neither of my volvo's had this issue, that's why its such a glaring thing. But I also think it doesn't matter whether you have leather or cloth as a cover for the seat, as its the foam underneath that is distorted, the cover is just a cover that will reflect what is underneath.
The leather in my LC (over a year old and about 40K km) still looks new. I teach people how to properly enter and exit the LC using the rock slider steps on my LC and the grab handles. If you enter and exit by sliding over the outer bolster, then that will break down the seat in that area. Given that the outer bolster is broken down, but not the inner, that's my best guess for the reason why it looks so bad.
I had several Toyota vehicles with leather seats, the last one being a 2010 Highlander. I also had a few newer ones with SofTex -Toyota's synthetic leather.
From my experience Toyota uses very low quality leather, nowhere comparable to what you can get im most other brands. And SofTex is even worse, it looks old and worn out after just a few years.
From my experience Toyota uses very low quality leather, nowhere comparable to what you can get im most other brands. And SofTex is even worse, it looks old and worn out after just a few years.
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I don’t agree that the Toyota leather is poor quality. It’s held up vastly better than the leather in multiple BMWs and Denalis, and I’ve treated them all the same. My last BMW, an X7 that preceded my 250, looked like hell after 20k miles. My 250 looks great at the same mileage, practically new.
Interesting thread. I worry about this and have done 3 things.
1. I ordered some waterproof, but cheap front car seats from amazon. (Peticon brand waterproof seat covers). They were so cheap that I didn't expect much, but the best $32 I have spent. Like a heavy nylon, but with a waterproof type bottom -kind of stiff - seems durable. May not look high end premium but I don't care, they protect my seats. BTW heated and cooled seat features still work.
2. Treat the leather with Lexol leather conditioner.
3. Bought side steps to put on my rock rails from ZR Overland. Minimalist, like I like - room for one foot and you place where you want it on the rail. And then I use the handle on the A-Pillar.
I think with Volvo you were lowering yourself onto seat, but with LC it's higher, so you are leaning on that edge as leverage. Got to use handle, step, and those legs/butt - make getting into your LC leg day at the gym and use those glutes!!
1. I ordered some waterproof, but cheap front car seats from amazon. (Peticon brand waterproof seat covers). They were so cheap that I didn't expect much, but the best $32 I have spent. Like a heavy nylon, but with a waterproof type bottom -kind of stiff - seems durable. May not look high end premium but I don't care, they protect my seats. BTW heated and cooled seat features still work.
2. Treat the leather with Lexol leather conditioner.
3. Bought side steps to put on my rock rails from ZR Overland. Minimalist, like I like - room for one foot and you place where you want it on the rail. And then I use the handle on the A-Pillar.
I think with Volvo you were lowering yourself onto seat, but with LC it's higher, so you are leaning on that edge as leverage. Got to use handle, step, and those legs/butt - make getting into your LC leg day at the gym and use those glutes!!
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After having owned Corvettes where this was always an issue, realistically, the best thing you can do is be conscious about the situation. IOW, just be aware of how you get in and out of the vehicle. Because I have owned so many Corvettes and this has ALWAYS been an issue, it has permeated my consciousness and doe not matter what car I am getting into or out of. I am always conscious about dragging my butt over that side bolster. So foot on the boards. Left hand on the handle. And butt OVER the side bolster. I don’t think you can totally eliminate it but you can minimize it.
On the FE I have my seat start and seat driving position set so that when I shut the LC off it returns to the lowest height and further back position to help with not rolling over the side bolster on exit. Works well so far, no issues or signs of creasing or flattening out. Maybe that will help for those having issues?
How much of the seat is actually leather? The bolsters certainly aren’t considering what I just noticed today.
Yes the bolster material is separating at the seam.
Off to the dealer tomorrow.
Yes the bolster material is separating at the seam.
Off to the dealer tomorrow.
- Oct 15, 2025
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Historically Toyota leather seats never hold up as well as cloth seats. Take a look at the 80 series Land Cruiser. More often than not, the leather driver seats are destroyed compared to a similar year/mileage cloth interior 80 series. Same with leather vs cloth 3rd gen 4runners. I'm skeptical that leather longevity has improved with our modern 250's, but time will tell as our vehicles age.
My advice... maintain your seats and keep them clean at all times. Check your pockets for sharp or blunt objects before you sit. Don't drag your ass getting in and out of the seats. If your vehicle is lifted, be conscious that you will be putting more pressure on that bolster foam when you enter/exit the vehicle. If you plan on owning your 250 for 15+ years, buy some OEM replacement seat foam right before it gets discontinued, the existing seat foam will eventually wear out after 200,000+ miles of sitting.
My advice... maintain your seats and keep them clean at all times. Check your pockets for sharp or blunt objects before you sit. Don't drag your ass getting in and out of the seats. If your vehicle is lifted, be conscious that you will be putting more pressure on that bolster foam when you enter/exit the vehicle. If you plan on owning your 250 for 15+ years, buy some OEM replacement seat foam right before it gets discontinued, the existing seat foam will eventually wear out after 200,000+ miles of sitting.
I spilled bleach (toilet blowing cleaner) all over my passenger seat and center console yesterday...
Steam cleaned and shampooed it out about an hour later, no bleaching whatsoever
Steam cleaned and shampooed it out about an hour later, no bleaching whatsoever
Wonder what the spec is on the foam density for the seats. The higher the density, the slower it breaks down obviously. The issue in this case seems to be more of and issue with the foam padding rather than the leather.
Have a 25 1958, I noticed through the years with leather seats that they will all look pretty bad sooner or later even if you upgrade a 1958 to Katzkin leather, My 1958 has 18k with no seat issues, just wish it had lumbar, I did see a post where a member had power lumbar installed I may go that route.
Reminder......$65,000.00+ vehicle. When the "time is right" should be more like 100,000 miles from now, NOT after less than 5000 miles!
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