2003 4Runner question about leather seats

[reggie ho]

Just purchased a 2003 4Runner SR5 that we're happy with but curious about the seats in the car. It was advertised as coming with leather seats, but they are either really crappy composite/bonded leather or completely vinyl/synthetic, and we're trying to sort out what the story is. Photos attached, and does anyone else have a 2003 4Runner in leather that could fill me in on the leather quality. These feel and breathe more like vinyl than leather. Trying to sort out if the stock leather is just this bad or if these are aftermarket replacements.

The seat surface definitely has a different feel than the sides and backs which I know are vinyl, but even the seats feel way more like vinyl than leather.

Thank you

 

[4by4th]

Might depend on where the vehicle came from. We were told by the dealer when buying our 2004 new in Texas, that they come from overseas without leather, and the leather is installed by Gulf States Toyota before going to the dealers. Our leather has held up reasonably well aside from some discoloration of the taupe color on the front seats where your legs make contact with the seats, maybe due to sunscreen. This leather has held up considerably better and longer than the leather in our 1998 F150, which started cracking badly many years ago. Talking to an upholstery shop about redoing the Ford leather, they highly recommended vinyl over leather, saying it would last a lot longer and cost less.

 

[chompster4runner]

Whatever it is they are cheap for such an expensive car. (when new)

 

[miller507]

I got an 03 with leather, I can post pics later.
My seats are really beat up, planning on redoing them this year.

 

[nasdamus]

I'll take a pic for you tonight as well. I have an 03 SR5 with the grey leather. Aside from the drivers seat cover, it's held up really well.

 

[preacher35]

Might depend on where the vehicle came from. We were told by the dealer when buying our 2004 new in Texas, that they come from overseas without leather, and the leather is installed by Gulf States Toyota before going to the dealers. Our leather has held up reasonably well aside from some discoloration of the taupe color on the front seats where your legs make contact with the seats, maybe due to sunscreen. This leather has held up considerably better and longer than the leather in our 1998 F150, which started cracking badly many years ago. Talking to an upholstery shop about redoing the Ford leather, they highly recommended vinyl over leather, saying it would last a lot longer and cost less.

Yup. My '05 Sport Edition came with leather which was installed by Gulf States Toyota as well. The dealer told me that SE's DO NOT COME WITH LEATHER from the factory. I will submit, that the leather has held up well (save the driver seat). I have, however replaced the leather on the two front seats. But what do you expect? 115k miles on a 10 year old vehicle.

 

[reggie ho]

Thanks all

Thanks everyone. It's got the feel of 1% leather and 99% composite/vinyl although maybe I'm just spoiled by the leather we have in our Outback.

 

[blackoutt]

I came from a B7 Audi S4 with genuine nappa leather. Now that was real leather. This Toyota stuff is for sure not real leather at all, and the heated seats don't get that hot. It's no Audi, but it sure is easier to work on.

 

[A/V1]

I've got an '03 Limited. And I can't really say that the leather in mine was ever really nice and soft (bought with 50K on the clock). It's definitely not the best leather I've seen. Our Maxima's leather is WAY softer than this is.

All of my seats are still pretty decent, but the side of the driver's seat (where the seat adjust switches are) has cracked really bad and now splitting.

 

[Gatafly]

The leather Toyota usesin all but the "luxury" models is not very nice. It is leather, but has a thick top finish to it that makes it feel kind of stiff and cheap. It is very durable and seems to outlast most others, but certainly does not have the luxury feel we generally expect. Not sure about the newermodels, but the cars and trucks 2009 and older. Rode in a 2013 Avalon and that leather was really nice imo.

 

[m85476585]

I think it's composite bonded leather, or something like that. I read that they basically paint it and coat it (in general, not necessarily the t4r), which gives it color and surface durability. But that eliminates any breathability, and makes it less soft. From what I understand, you are basically sitting on paint.

I can probably find some scratches or tears in mine and take a picture if you want to see what's under the surface.