[He Keith]

Anyone else notice the steering wheel is difference form 20 to 22. My 21 has perforated leather on the sides and contrast white sticking, my 22 is solid leather and black stitching. Very disappointed in that minor change and yes this is a first world problem.

 

[Rousie13]

Never driven a ‘21, so had no idea. 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[He Keith]

So your 22 has black stitching and no perforated leather as well? I wonder if it is to share same steering wheel with more models.

 

[Rousie13]

So your 22 has black stitching and no perforated leather as well? I wonder if it is to share same steering wheel with more models.

To be honest….I don’t even know. I’ve only driven it like twice and I haven’t been inside in a while. I’d have to go out and look to be 100% sure, but I think it’s solid black stitching with solid material.

 

[SupraTT]

So your 22 has black stitching and no perforated leather as well? I wonder if it is to share same steering wheel with more models.

I'm currently driving a 2022 loaner XC40 T5 R-Design and it has the black stitching and no perforated leather. Seats are the same with white contrast stitching and white piping on top bolsters.

 

[arijaycomet]

I am 82.4% certain that:
’21 and earlier cars had a LEATHER perforated steering wheel
and that the ‘22+ cars have a FAKE LEATHER non perf steering wheel

Again this is just a “guess” ….

 

[unexplainedbacon]

While we're on this subject, it appears the shifter on the 2021 XC40 has white contrast stitching on it while the C40 lacks the stitching. Does the '22 XC40 have the stitched shifter?

 

[arijaycomet]

While we're on this subject, it appears the shifter on the 2021 XC40 has white contrast stitching on it while the C40 lacks the stitching. Does the '22 XC40 have the stitched shifter?

I’m fairly confident that the shifter on our ‘21 XC40 is leather. So the lack of white stitching may also be indicative of their step away from leather? Again, speculation.

 

[Albator]

That's because Volvo had discarded real leather to switch to "vegan leather" interiors.
In other words, this is made from petrol (PU ✌ leather ✌) instead of animal skin.

"Vegan" interiors .... a subtle mix of greenwashing and marketing blurb...

For the seats, I am happy with my real leather 2021 model but would switch to the beautiful wool seats coming with the facelift.

 

[He Keith]

I wonder if the stitches are even real then or cosmetic? So the 22 XC40 has no leather in it, what about the seats? As long as it feels like leather I am good. Have barely driven the 22 yet.

 

[Albator]

It feels like leather when new. It probably does not age quite as nicely.
To me, they just found a nice wording to make you feel good about it, even though it won't really represent any progress in terms of climate change (I highly doubt these cows were bred solely for making seats anyway ...)

 

[XC90_Dinosaur]

The car I test drove was 21. Did not see any deference. You have more time to observe as you have both cars. There must be certain minor defenses I guess. Seats feels like leather and cleans like a leather. Will see how long the material will last.

 

[He Keith]

It feels like leather when new. It probably does not age quite as nicely.
To me, they just found a nice wording to make you feel good about it, even though it won't really represent any progress in terms of climate change (I highly doubt these cows were bred solely for making seats anyway ...)

Yeah, I question this. As long as the cows are being slaughtered for meat the the leather is there. I am pro nail am and lower meat consumption, but in the end if they are not killing the cows just for the leather I prefer the leather. That said I am fine with leather free as well.

 

[A2_]

FWIW today’s vegan leather is not exactly the pleather of yesteryear. The C40s interior is Nordico.

Nordico, another new, non-leather material Volvo will be using, consists of textiles made from recycled material such as plastic (PET) bottles, wood remnants from sustainable forests in Sweden and Finland, and corks recycled from the wine industry.

 

[BainbridgeIsland]

It feels like leather when new. It probably does not age quite as nicely.

It's Mercedes Leather! (throwback to one of my favorite 80's movies).

 

[unexplainedbacon]

FWIW today’s vegan leather is not exactly the pleather of yesteryear. The C40s interior is Nordico.

I wonder if the leather conditioner/cleaner products are off benefit to the fake stuff. With so many different fake leather materials out there are manufactures like Volvo including care instructions?

 

[He Keith]

Odd the shifter still has white stitching.

 

[He Keith]

I need to check with Volvo, but the 22 steering wheel I doubt is leather, it feels different than our 21. 21 feels softer more supple, 22 feels harder and smoother.

 

[He Keith]

Chatted with Volvo and they said 22 XC40 Recharge is still leather, hyst the steering wheel design changed (i.e., sounded like cost cutting. My guess they cheapened the leather grade they are using. Told them it does not feel like leather and preferred the perforated contrast stitched wheel on the 21. First rule in car interiors is all surfaces you touch need to feel premium to justify a premium car.

 

[kevinxb]

I traded in an S60 with a non perforated wheel. I much prefer the wheel on my Recharge (2021). Haven't sat in a 22 to compare.