2010 Buick LaCrosse CX: Cloth in a Premium Car?

In the entry-level luxury segment you’ll find cars like the Acura TSX, Lexus ES 350 and Infiniti G37. What you won’t find in any of these premium rides is a cloth interior. That may not come as a total shock, but there’s one new player that still offers the low-cost cloth alternative, the 2010 Buick LaCrosse.

Standard cloth seats, as well as newly available four-cylinder engine, are two features of the LaCrosse CX that allow it to undercut the competition with pricing starting at $26,245, not including a $750 destination charge. A 2010 Acura TSX with four-cylinder starts at $29,310, and the others easily breach the $30,000 mark.  

Comments

I'd love to see more automakers offer cloth on their higher-trim and luxury models. I consistently find it more comfortable and generally more durable than leather. Specifically, I'm frustrated that there's no way to get an Accord V6 6sp MT with a cloth interior.

I for one like the fact that Buick is still catering to their existing clientele until they can reach their aspirational target of a younger demographic. Cloth seats are often much more comfortable than leather. In cold climates, cloth warms up quicker; in hot climates, cloth seats stay cooler longer. You really have to break in leather upholstery and not many automakers weather their leather well enough. By the time the leather is really broken in, the car is usually out of commission.

This is insane. Rebate aside, if a person is paying about $30K OTR for a vehicle, it better has leather seats. Seriously, who else won't offer leather seats for a $30K vehicle? The leather is NOT expensive, as, unless u dunno, the leather isn't REAL leather nowadays.

This is a bean counting measure, and that's really what it is. But it is a really stupid one. If u try to be an upscale player, then don't cheap out on the std features!

I actually like to see cloth seats in cars. First of all, your legs don't stick to cloth in the summer. Secondly, cloth seats don't get cold like leather seats do. Thirdly, todays cloth seats feature many colors and textures so the seats don't look cheap.

My relative here got himself a Buick SUV with all bells and whistles and cloth seats. Because his wife doesn't like leather, period.

Leather interior is perception of luxury. What good leather does in the car if there is no legroom? So, if they call a car like Acura TSX a "luxury car", while it has little rear leg room and 4 cylinder engine, and no reclining seats or laptop station, or drink cooler...
This is all perception. And when reality thinks in then luxo cars will be the only ones of the Toyota Avalon type.

A generation ago, "leather" signfied "premium". That is no longer the case, imo, due to cheap quality, stiff, slippery leathers some manufacturers are using now. [But it still allows them a generous markup.] Why not offer cloth, as an option, not as a 'cost savings', allowing a customer to choose? I mean, they offer as many as 6 different wheel/tire combos, a dozen audio choices, why not fabric as an option to leather?

im sorry, but i only require a few things in a car or truck. if it doesnt have a v8, leather seats, and four doors, i dont want it. not even if it was the most fuel efficient and the safest. not even if it was free.

I won't buy a car with leather seats - ever. I hate them. I hate everything about them. I hate sticking to them in the summer, I hate sliding around on them, and I think they look awful. If a car comes only with leather seats, it's immediately off my list.

What many don't realize that that vinyl is often everywhere but the horizontal surfaces. Some even have vinyl backseats.

Seats are flat and look a lot like the previous-generation LaCrosse. Now that Cadillac, Buick, and Lincoln are getting all sportified, is there anyone left making cars for geriatric people?

I personally think it's a great idea that Buick offers cloth seats. Many people don't like leather but still like driving luxury. I have to agree that leather is no longer a true leather, it's often a vinyl leather combination or simply low quality leather that is only done for perception. I've always had cars with cloth seats until my current car and I have to agree that leather seats are hot and sticky in the summer and extremely cold in the winter. So, I will most likely go back to cloth seats option on my next car.

Since when was leather seating a "cost-of-entry" for a luxury car? I have a '78 Continental that has every power gizmo that 1978 had to offer, and it has crushed velour (read-cloth) seats. It's like driving my couch down the freeway.

I had three different cars with leather, and I will NEVER own another car with leather, especially in Michigan. It burns you in the summer. It freezes you in the winter. It cracks, tears, and generally looks like crap within 17 seconds of having a butt sit on it. You slide all over the place. AND, most automotive leather seating is too firm and the leather does not have any give to it at all, since apparently using 1 inch more leather to allow some give is asking entirely too much.

Hooray for Buick for offering something that some consumers want!

Leather: Hot in summer, cold in winter.
Cloth: Cool in summer, warm in winter.
Why so many people like leather over cloth, I don't know.
The Buick folks have it right--offer cloth to those who want it. The other OEM's need to do the same. I will never own a car with leather-clad seats. That forces me to buy less expensive cars to get cloth, but that's not all that bad of a thing either.

Are those alloys or the standard "alloy-look" wheel covers on steelies? That's one cost-cutting feature that really puts the lie to Buick's claim that the LaCrosse is a premium car.

I haven't seen this cloth up close, but I do think cloth can be executed in a premium way. Volvo's cloth seats are extremely nice, and I wish other manufacturers offered a premium material like that. If this is the same stuff as on the Malibu, it doesn't make premium grade either.

Some of the commenters are right, Bruzer. A lot of that entry-level stuff is "leatherette," which is a euphemism for vinyl. See BMW, Mercedes...

Acura, Infiniti and Lexus offer real leather standard at a closer price to where Buick is at. The German automakers typically do the leatherette at an even higher price.

Volvo has a neat fabric option as well.

I have to say that i dont really MIND leather, and expect it on a vehicle that costs $50k or even $40k, but for a vehicle that is $26k, a good, comfortable cloth seat is fine. i dont need seat ventilators, nor do i need seat memory. those are two features that you dont NEED and should certainly not be required in this price range. For $26k, i would happily get a LaCrosse if it were for only one thing- there is no way to get a sunroof with the four cylinder and cloth seats. i would gladly trade leather and memory for a sunroof, because i really like them.

Cloth is a good alternative that should always be offered as a no-cost option. In Japan, the TSX sells far better with cloth and Saab, Volvo and the Germans all sell either 50/50 cloth leather or a higher percent of cloth to leather ratio to buyers in their domestic countries.

Hey Amuro Ray can you read? The article says that the Buick CX starts at $26k not $30k. If you're going to whine like a little girl, at least know what you're talking about first.

There is nothing wrong with Cloth interiors... not even in a Luxo car as SWEET as a Lacrosse.

ALSO... CHECK YOUR FACTS. The Lexus ES350 comes with CLOTH SEATS

Bobby, u sure aren't blind?

This is what I wrote, "if a person is paying about $30K OTR for a vehicle"

In case u dunno what OTR means...On The Road...so that included all taxes, fees, registrations...approx 10% of MSRP. Now u do the math, unless u've problem with Math too. That's 'bou $30K OTR.

Cmicasa the Great XvX,

Please point to the link from Lexus where it states, "cloth seats standard." All I see is that Leather seats are standard.

The point here is not about whether cloth seats are good or comfy, the point is that there is a "bar of measurement" for a premium vehicle. If you want to be viewed as a premium vehicle, that u must at least meet the bar, or even exceed it (look at Hyundai on their luxury vehicles). it's like, you don't walk in a Gucci store and expect to find a T-shirt that cost you $10. In fact, you probably won't find a T-shirt in the store! Can Gucci sell T-shirts? Of 'coz it can. Will Gucci still be viewed as a premium/prestige store when it starts selling $20-$30 T-shirts in their stores? Most likely not.

If GM wants to offer cloth seats, then do it on their Chevy's.

While there is a group of people who view leather as luxurious and necessary, there is also clearly a not-insignificant group who actually prefer cloth and applaud a manufacturer for giving us that option. Heck, make leather standard but give me a no-cost cloth option. I hardly think that a good cloth option will hurt a brand's luxury reputation .

I'd rather not be forced to drive econoboxes just because I don't like my legs sweating and sticking to the seat.

I think there's an opportunity for manufacturers to get creative with the textiles they use. I hope they're working on new, innovative, textiles that can be perceived as more premium than leather while offering more comfort.

Indeed it is a premium version. This shows the difference between a normal and a luxury car. It's a dream you can drive it. Is extraordinary.

Cmicasa the great XvX,

I went on the Lexus website a few months ago and they still offered cloth seats. I just went to the color section of the ES website and there weren't cloth seats anymore.

To read my comments on Buick, please visit http://ofyroo.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/buick-lacrosse-vs-buick-regal/.

this car is so luxurious.The interior is too good and the look of car is also superb.

I am not blinded by all the crap, bells and wistles on these new automobiles all they are are seats with wheels, they have been around for a long time, even the bugies of today have seat cushions, I took a Buick Lacross for a test ride and liked it, Almost luxorious, It had cloth bench split seats and appeared to be a fine replacement for my 1999 Oldamobile which has 8 way power cloth seats with power recling backs, Driver and Pasanger. Yes I know reclined seats have the potential to increase injury if you crash in a reclined position. Papers signed and took it home for my Wifes approval, "Her Response" No take it back it does not even have power reclining seat backs. Now my thoughts at this point, cheverly is dead, and in checking I guess they do not have the courtesy to offer a power reclining seat in cloth for the Ladys or passanger, if so I cant find one. I am 66 years old now Had the 77 T Bird with reclining bucket seats, the Deville with Leather Buckets,these new cars have it all but are just plain cheap. My next Automobille will have a bench seat, with individual power including power reclinig backs, I have driven the Olds 1999 for 11 years and if these Manufactures Cant get it and put a modern seat in a car I Have the last car I will be buying. "No Sale".
Thank you.

I actually ran into this article by googling "premium cloth car". That's what I'm looking for and I hate the idea that if you want a nice ride you're stuck with leather seats. Say for example a 4x4 Liberty with sunroof and the rest of amenities, comes in leather. Or you want the sports (more hp)version of a certain car.. and guess what, comes in leather. To me a luxury feature can be a really nice cloth textile invented for performance thinking about what you need in a car. Be fresh in summer, be cozy in winter, don't get hot when left under direct sunlight, don't age faster in humid ambients, etc