Whether you are thinking of buying a shiny new Toyota Camry or buying a one-second hand we have all been guilty of looking at the exterior with a magnifying glass. Does it have a shine? Are you happy with the bodywork?
We can all get carried away with the spec of the engine as well. How much horsepower does it have? Is it powerful enough to tow large cargo?
But many of us haven’t really given much thought to the interior of our cars. What upholstery does it come with? Are leather seats really better?
In this article, we will look at exactly which Toyota Camry offers leather interior trim and how we should be looking after it to ensure the inside of our car is as plush as the exterior.
If you have been looking for a Toyota Camry for a while then you won’t be surprised to learn that as standard they come with fabric-trimmed seating. However, there are some models that come with leather seats.
Only four models of the Toyota Camry offer the desirable leather seats
It is all well and good choosing the leather trim but do you actually know what it takes to ensure that they keep their quality?
The cost of this trim will certainly be more than the standard fabric upholstery so we can look at how it will affect your wallet and discover if the leather is truly better than the standard option.
The Toyota Camry has seven trim levels in total. Beginning with L and ranging through LE, SE, XSE, XLE, V6, and XSE V6. The cheapest option here is the L and it will set you back around $23,945 but as you go through the options there is a steady cost increase with the most expensive being around $34,700.
Now, those numbers are pretty impressive, to say the least, but what do you actually get with the different trim options? To guarantee that you have everything that you want when buying your Toyota Camry we have unpicked each trim to compare whether spending more actually services your driving needs.
Starting with the lowest price Toyota Camry option, L has fabric-trimmed seats as standard but advancing to the SE level will get you Toyota’s fine SofTex. This interior has been created by Toyota and sits between fabric upholstery and 100% leather.
It benefits from being stain-resistant and a durable choice especially if you have little mucky hands in the car. As standard the L trim package can offer the following:
Choosing the SE trim option can also give you:
Stepping it up a few notches to the XLE package would get you the desired leather seats which are self-heating. Not a fan of the traditional black? Don’t worry because with this option you can choose the color of the interior to enhance your ride even further.
Choosing this option does come at quite a cost! If you are happy spending your hard-earned dollar on the extras then you would be looking at an added $4,500 from the standard model price. This is purely down to the leather so you may wish to think about if you actually need the genuine stuff compared to the SofTex.
To put this trim in easier terms check out the list below to see what is included:
The XSE, XLE V6, and XSE V6 packages give you the same interior as the XLE, but remember that you can opt for a more economically greener solution (SofTex) which is also considerably cheaper than the leather-bound interior with either of the options.
The features below are what you can expect to get for the top end of the scale:
You’ll also have the 301-hp V-6 engine on the XLE or the XSE that includes:
Now we have taken the trim options into consideration, you can see exactly where your dollars could be spent. If the mod cons and updated top-notch spec is one of your desires then the more costly option could be the better option for you.
Otherwise, if you are planning on making this a family car, then you may feel that the SofTex interior is the only way forward whilst keeping your pocket in check.
Buying a car with a leather interior gives you a sense of sophistication. It is seen as luxurious and adds to the style of your car. The leather interior is durable and easy to clean whereas cloth seating can become easily damaged.
If you are a family person then opting for fabric seating may not be the best call. Little mucky hands or messy muddy paw prints could ruin the interior of fabric upholstery. After all, you have spent a small fortune on your Toyota Camry so you will want it to be well presented inside and out.
Leather seating is not just easier to clean but it is more susceptible to resisting odors. There is nothing worse than sitting in a smelly car!
If the cost of the leather interior is out of your reach then fabric upholstery also has its plus points. It is known for its comfort in the summer and winter months.
If the leather gets too hot or cold it can become irritable on your skin, making your journey less than pleasant. Fabric seats do not have this issue and you can be sure of a comfy ride no matter what temperature it is.
Now, don’t get me wrong, leather interior is durable and easier to clean but cloth seating is more cost-effective if it needs replacing. If the leather gets damaged then you could be looking at a hefty repair bill whereas fabric is a lot cheaper.
You may have read this far and decided that choosing a leather interior is definitely the way to go. If this is your choice then there are many colors you can choose from.
It is one thing to have the leather interior but choosing it with color, could offset your Toyota and can give you that added wow factor you have been craving.
Here are the many color options that you can choose from:
As previously mentioned, choosing leather in your Camry does make it easier to clean but you must ensure that the correct attention and maintenance is given to the seating as replacing damaged leather can be very costly indeed.
It is no shock to learn that dirt and debris that you find built up in your car can damage the leather seating.
Giving your Camry extra care, love, and attention by using a vacuum can be a fine way of keeping the inside of your Toyota looking fresh. You need to be careful as many vacuums can damage the surface of the seats.
Giving your seats a wash now and again will help make those sticky stains a thing of the past!
You can get specific leather cleaners that condition your seats as well as clean them but it is important that you do not choose petroleum or vinyl-based cleaners as they can break down the leather fibers. Always use a microfibre cloth or a soft bristle brush.
Leather seating is known not to perform the best in hot or cold climates. It can become extremely hot in the summer months and retain the cold in winter. It is important that you consider this when buying your Toyota Camry. There is no point in having a car that you cannot sit in!
If you are set on having leather seats in your Toyota Camry then you will have to go for one of the higher-spec models such as the XLE, XSE, or XLE V6. These upgraded models of course also bring other features such as heated seats, alloy wheels, or moonroof to mention a few.
They also bring a price increase as you go up the models, however, this price increase can be justified as leather seating is known to be durable and if well looked after and maintained will look the part for many years to come.
Overall, choosing a leather interior is down to personal preference. Not only are they easier to clean and more durable but you will never have to worry about sticky little fingers or muddy paws as they can all be easily wiped away.
Leather seats add a touch of luxury to your Camry making your car look prestigious.
