Quality of leather?

[dtaylormac]

I bought an SXL with Nappa leather (top model in Canada). When I picked it up, I noticed the driver seat leather was noticeably wrinkled, more so than the leather in other vehicles I have driven for a year or more. The front passenger seat leather is "pinched" at one point. When I pointed this out to the dealer, the response was "
The wrinkled leather is normal, most of our cars have wrinkles right from factory, very few actually come perfectly smooth as it is a natural product. Regarding the stitching, I am unable to see the concern, the stitches all appear to line up normally"
I am disappointed and wonder if there is anything I can do. Just live with it?

 

[regaphysics]

That is not normal for brand new leather. I know some people have reported issues with the SXP leather - perhaps they are having issues with quality control. I think you could go directly to Kia corporate customer service instead of through the dealer.

 

[Tim-in-CA]

The first picture does look abnormal. I'd say the 2nd pic is probably acceptable. Agree, go to Kia.ca corporate and explain the situation to them. Good luck!!

 

[mrmac]

Leather is animal skin. Just like human skin some will have wrinkl and some won't. Over time the frequency of wrinkles will increase. This is normal.

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[mrmac]

significant discoloration would be a warranty defect

 

[cheeks80]

This is normal for a new leather to have some wrinkles. Its just like skin.. May be of an old cow

 

[regaphysics]

This is normal for a new leather to have some wrinkles. Its just like skin.. May be of an old cow

Some light wrinkles perhaps, but the first image is what I would expect from 5-7 year old leather, to be honest. I've never seen leather like that on a car over 30k dollars. And leather is not "just like skin." Leather is tanned and stretched and graded for then selected for quality - not just slapped on from a cow's back. If I paid $$ for the skin of a 18 year old and received the leather from an old lady, I would be upset. Go open the doors on 20 lexus' and tell me if any are wrinkled like that.

 

[mrmac]

Some light wrinkles perhaps, but the first image is what I would expect from 5-7 year old leather, to be honest. I've never seen leather like that on a car over 30k dollars. And leather is not "just like skin." Leather is tanned and stretched and graded for then selected for quality - not just slapped on from a cow's back. If I paid $$ for the skin of a 18 year old and received the leather from an old lady, I would be upset. Go open the doors on 20 lexus' and tell me if any are wrinkled like that.

Had wrinkles in our brand spanking new 2018 Lexus....

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[regaphysics]

Had wrinkles in our brand spanking new 2018 Lexus....

As deep of wrinkles as in the first picture? I've never seen that, and I've had leather in every car I've owned (9 vehicles now).

 

[mrmac]

As deep of wrinkles as in the first picture? I've never seen that, and I've had leather in every car I've owned (9 vehicles now).

Without pushing a Guage into the wrinkles, I'd say yes. I've had leather in most all of my 80 vehicles.

 

[MiamiJon]

100% normal, just my 2 cents from all my vehicle in the past 10 years (about 40 cars - all leather, from Mercedes, Range Rover, BMW, Lexus, Infiniti etc), looks 100% ok.

 

[cheeks80]

If it comforts you... It's in my car too... Seems normal...

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[Buckeye-TRide]

As someone with an EX all I can say is my seats have no wrinkles or creases. While some creasing or wrinkling with age might be normal, I’d have concerns considering the age of the vehicle. In my opinion, not normal.

 

[CAsuKiHy]

Looks worse than my 10y old leather in current car.