- A number of automakers are eliminating leather or limiting it to certain trims.
- The 2026 Cherokee doesn’t offer leather, even in the range-topping Overland.
- Luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes charge extra for real leather interiors.
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee is larger and more luxurious than its predecessor, but one upscale feature is notably absent. We’re talking about leather, which has been abandoned as part of the brand’s eco-friendly push.
Once a common fixture on higher-end variants, leather has been replaced by Capri leatherette upholstery on the Limited and Overland. This means customers shelling out $44,595 will be getting pleather.
Shifting Standards in Luxury
Jeep isn’t alone in this push as even luxury brands have turned their back on leather. Most versions of the 2026 Infiniti QX60 now come equipped with TailorFit upholstery, which is composed of 65% recycled materials. If you’re dead set on getting the ‘real deal,’ you’ll have to get the range-topping QX60 Autograph which comes with semi-aniline leather.
More: What Should Modern Luxury Look Like?
Other automakers haven’t forced changes on consumers, but they have introduced new upholstery options. Land Rover offers Ultrafabrics on the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, while Polestar customers can get animal welfare-certified wool or “bio-attributed” MicroTech or WeaveTech upholstery.
A Changing Expectation
While those are just a few examples, it’s clear the market has shifted away from the days when it was just leather or cloth. Of course, this is a bit of a mixed bag as some consumers might feel shortchanged if they can’t get leather seats or have to pay extra for them.
The latter is common on BMW and Mercedes vehicles. Despite a starting price of $62,250, the 2026 GLE 350 comes with MB-Tex seats. If you want leather, you’ll have to shell out an additional $1,620. It’s a similar story with the $67,600 BMW X5, which comes with Sensafin upholstery is a $1,950 option.
For buyers, the lingering question is whether automakers should keep real leather in the mix, and how much it truly matters if a new vehicle shows up without it. Would you miss leather, or are you ready to move on? Share your take in the comments below.
