Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » Will an Alcantara interior wear out quicker than leather?

Will an Alcantara interior wear out quicker than leather?

I'm currently looking at purchasing an Audi Q5 which comes with leather and Alcantara seats. What is your view of Alcantara? It appears to get mixed reviews with concerns about looking scruffy after modest wear and tear. Is full leather (at extra cost) a better bet?

Asked on 10 January 2019 by Jonathan Lazenby

Answered by Andrew Brady
It depends on what you'll use the car for and how long you're going to keep it. With a bit of care, there's no reason why Alcantara won't age well for a number of years. Having said that, if you've got children or transport animals, you might find leather lasts better and is easier to clean.
Similar questions
The ivory leather on the driver's seat of my 2005 Subaru Outback has two yellow marks coinciding where my legs sit but as I wear blue denim jeans for 95 per cent of my waking hours, it can't be from clothing....
How can I get back the texture on my leather steering wheel without damaging its metallic inserts?
What's the best way to clean BMW X5 leather seats?
Related models
Even more refined and upmarket than original Q5. Lovely quality interior. Electric tailgate fitted as standard. 2.0 litre petrol plug-in hybrid from May 2019.