I've only had my EX-L for a little over a month, but it seems pretty durable to me. For us, there was no other option, as we wanted the sunroof, DVD and navigation system. Plus, I just like leather.

I can only compare it to the leather Fords and Chevys we've owned, but the leather is MUCH nicer and plusher, IMO. We test drove a Dodge Grand Caravan with leather before we decided on the Ody and the Ody's leather was nicer than that too.

 

Forgot to add ... we have an 18 month old son and that was another reason for the leather. We don't generally allow him to eat in the car (we don't eat in there either, but it's mainly my vehicle and I do short errands or shopping trips), but we will be doing a bit of travel in the next two months, so it's inevitable.

 

I went for the leather myself. For the extra $$$ you get many more creature comforts in the van. I purchased a EX-L, no factory res or nav. I added the RES to the van for 1/3 of what it would cost from the factory and I can play mp3's also.

Common, heated seats, sunroof, ivtec etc. Its a pretty good value


Tom

 

Compared to a Lexus or Audi, it's pretty low-buck leather. But it looks/feels quite durable which seems like what you'd want in a minivan. We've got a 8mo and a 3yo and we've not had a single mess yet from the kids. I dumped tea all over the front seat (and steering wheel, floor, console, etc.) and it cleaned up fine. I'm not real easy on vehicles and have always felt the leather was the way to go for durability.

 

The leather in the Ody has been great for cleaning up spills.

 

Though I initially fought for leather, I am very happy with my wife's overuling to get the cloth.

1) We had a 2001 Saab where the leather had already started to show sign of wear (probably should have conditioned it more often).
2) The cloth seats are as firm as the leather and you don't slide around on them (felt the opposite when driving the Toyota; cloth seats were way to soft).
3) We don't eat or drink in the car, other than water. This includes my 16 month old.
4) Couldn't justify (though I tried) the extra $ when I could care less about the sunroof and other extras that come with the EXL. I do, however, hate the steering wheel in the EX.

I took the advice of others on this site to protect the cloth with Scotch Guard.

 

I have two kids: one is almost 3 years old and one is almost 6 months old. I bought the van just after my oldest turned 2. She eats snacks and drinks water/tea/milk in the van and I'm still very happy with the cloth. I put a towel under each child's car seat to help protect the seats from spillage and have had no problems. I would absolutely buy the cloth seats again. You could always buy seat covers if you wanted to.

 

My kids are 3 and another almost 2. They had a sippy cup that leaked milk in our previous car that had cloth interior. We did not know it spilled until the car really started to stink like rotten milk. Bottom line is it was extremely difficult to get the smell out of the cloth seating. Leather is a no brainer when you have kids if you don't mind spending a little more money because with the Odyessey when you buy the EX-L vs EX Cloth your not only paying for the leather you're paying for the upgraded motor and sunroof, etc. In many cases if you do buy the EX cloth Ody you can still have aftermarket leather put in and at my dealer their aftermarket leather smells better, looks extremely nice and has a longer warranty. Just FYI.

Get the Leather, most everything cleans up nicely.

 

Thanks for all of the opinions so far. They are going to be very helpful when making a final decision. If anyone else cares to comment please do so.

Thanks,
Jim

 

I had never owned a car with leather....But once I did, I will never not have it.

Fantastic for kids...great for comfort...and it smells good. I can tell you the 04 has some pretty nice leather. Unless some old sick cow is being used in the 05..I would suspect it to be just as good

 

I have an almost 18 month old and a dog, we have had our Touring for a little over a month. This is our first car with leather seats and I love them! Spills wipe up super easy. I think the seats are very comfortable too. I definitely recommend the leather if you can afford it!

 

It is the topic again.

Just like everthing else you can add in your van (res, navi, sunroof, etc), leather is of course nicer. The bottom line is whether you want to pay extra for that. IMHO, Leather is nice but not necessary. If you are willing to spend, go for it.

I have a 3 year old and a 5 month old and we are pretty happy with our cloth seats. I mean, they do not exactly sit on the seats anyway because they have to be in the car seats. In addition, we do not allow them to eat in the car other than drinking water.

 

Thanks for everyones input. After going to see and feel the leather I decided to go with a Sage Brush Pearl/Olive EX-L.

 

Thanks for everyones input. After going to see and feel the leather I decided to go with a Sage Brush Pearl/Olive EX-L.

Sounds like a great combination! I hope you and your family love the new addition!!!

 

Thanks for everyones input. After going to see and feel the leather I decided to go with a Sage Brush Pearl/Olive EX-L.

Congrats on the new ody, and good luck with it.
I was always a cloth seat guy after the one time I had leather many years ago. It was way too cold in the winter. But now there is heated seats in both my GMC and my ody, so the problem is solved.

 

Definitely go with the leather. Much more durable and comfortable than the cloth. And very easy to wipe up formula.