Who gave her smart nice person comments? We answered her question and commented as to her opinion that Toyota should not have put leather in the car... I don't see any smart-assed comments...
I think David Beagle already answered the question very well. There is a reason it is called "trimmed" or "leather-trimmed" interior, not "all-leather interior". Most Japanese vehicles (Lexus included) do not use full leather like most German luxury brands do (such as BMW, MB and Audi). Cost is a major factor. As David pointed out, only two pieces of the front seats are made of genuine leather. The parts that touch your backend and your back. Others are made of faux leather (or man-made leather). The same goes for the back seat. I purchased a aftermarket kit from eBay. I can tell from the backside that this is true. I also read a report a few years ago on this issue. For example, most people do not know that the 3rd row seat "leather" surface in most SUVs/CUVs are made of man-made leather entirely. Not a single piece is made of real leather. For example, Acura MDX. They called it "leather-trimmed" for a good reason.
based on this thread, i can fully understand why prius drivers are stereotyped as liberal, vegan, etc... i wanted leather interior because it looks nice, easy to manage/clean, and lasts longer then fabric if taken care of. i have no concern, what so ever, of the cow it came from. but i do understand how a vegan who detests meat would also think the leather option is creepy. i just think it is mind blowing ironic when i see these vegans wearing leather birkenstocks licking ice cream that came from a cow.
Aside from the fact that it comes from an animal...and thusly if you were vegan you wouldn't like that...the chemicals used to tan and dye leather are extremely bio-unfriendly generally.
Correction - Lexus LS400 came with all leather seats, Toyota used some of the finest Napa leather available at the time. My 26 year old LS400 leather still looks new. With proper care you can keep your leather seats like new.
My Gen 2, 2008 Prius came with perforated leather seating surfaces. I never liked the look of the seats, I thought they looked cheap even though it was considered an upgrade from cloth. I have so many cars with leather (5) that it isn't anything special anymore. I like the look and feel of the new Softex in my new 2016 much better than the leather in my old Prius. If you are an environmentalist leather is natural and vinyl and plastics are not, same goes for cloth, it is mostly made from oil, I don't think there are any natural fibers in cloth seats anymore. I don't know any vegan people so I guess I am ignorant on that subject. I never tied vegans to environmentalist, am I missing something?
Generally speaking, if one were a practicing vegan there would be no internal consumption of animal products. Vegetarians may choose to also eat dairy, eggs or honey.
