We’ll see. Fake leather and wood in a luxury car like an S Class?

Thats a joke.

 

that's also not the case today. the s-class may well continue with real wood and leather but it'll cost.

 

yeah but the black interior doesn't bother you or take away the luxuriousness of the car right? It's because it's more than just black and color. Some cars maintain their looks regardless while others will show their self unless masked with something bright. That's my point.
I'm sure you've enjoyed your LC leather. And I'm sure you would say your Hyundai smelled fine too. Don't you think maybe the leathers have different qualities? Not possible? We all have different opinions.

 

Its to be cheap, but it appears that its not as uncommon as I thought.

I think the power wheel was an option it was just on almost all of them. I do remember it now was an option on the LS400 too early on.

I would say the CLA250 should not exist as a vehicle at all no. But, the small FWD MB vehicles do lack a lot of options, the A Class loaner they gave me for about 4 hours until I returned it didnt have power seats. I think that vehicle should not exist as a Mercedes in the US and it hurts their brand. CLA, A Class, GLA and GLB shouldn't exist. Those are entry level vehicles though the GX isn't.

You can option out of wood in the S Class now, there will absolutely be a synthetic leather option for people who want that like there is in the 7 Series and Range Rovers etc. Even Rolls Royces are coming out with leather free options, the marketplace wants that option.

 

Just like the lack of a third row on the base model. Or the lack of the panoramic roof on the base model. Or power running boards. Lexus is trying to get the entry level costs down. Has nothing to do with Lexus being cheap..

 

Has anyone seen any info of what is in store for the 2024 4Runner based on what they've done to the GX redesign?

 

For the record, the CLA250 has two types of wood available: Natural Grain Black Linden wood and Natural Grain Brown Walnut wood. Build Your Own 2023 CLA 250 4MATIC Coupe | Mercedes-Benz USA (mbusa.com)

 

not only doesn't the black interior/exterior bother me, i like it.

and yes, definitely black is the easiest way of hiding a multitude of design sins.

the santa fe calligraphy allegedly has nappa leather. honestly, while they look and feel different, the santa fe and lc leather are both fine. hard to compare as my santa fe gets 10x the seat time than the lc. also, my lc has the sport seats with alcantara in the middle.

it's to be competitive (on content AND price) is the real reason. if they think it will cost them sales, they wouldn't do it.

ROFL - in other words "let them eat cake!"

so you think mercedes should give up TONS of revenue so s-class drivers aren't "offended" ?

ah good find... i could not find one real world image of the car with wood, but this dealer pic doesn't look 'more' luxurious to me.

 

More black interiors, oh joy, clearly the Toyota Headquarters people from California have not lived here in Texas long enough.

Here in the south, with high temperatures and high humidity, we have a saying, Swamp ***. Light colored, ventilated seats are a must (or cloth).

This afternoon's Feel Like temp in nearby Plano, where Toyota's Headquarters is located, 116 degrees, 53% humidity.

 

Thanks to @Carmaker1 great insight and posts I've been trying to keep a running summary of the the new 4Runner and Land Cruiser, here is what I currently have.

2025 Toyota 6th gen 4Runner (Tacoma influenced)
Reveal: Winter/Spring 2024 (expect a 6-8 week teaser campaign ahead of the date)
Launch: Summer/Fall 2024
Engines: 2.4L turbo I-4, i-Force MAX 2.4L turbo I-4 hybrid, alleged PHEV, No TTV6
Closest Renderings: Carbuzz, insiders say the CarBuzz rendering is the closest so far but a) needs to be more angular, like the new Tacoma. b) The Tacoma headlight design is extremely similar, but 4Runner has a different curvature than the Tacoma units. c) The C-Pillar is more upright for better ease of entry and a slopped D-Pillar.
AutoEvolution published a rendering on 6/16/2023 that is interesting, blending in more of the Tacoma styling and getting some of the above mention items closer but one thing to note taking some design cues from the Tundra grill, with it's vertical sides, where the Tacoma grill sides slants inwards.

On 6/19/2023 AutoEvolution published another rendering that is purported to be the Land Cruiser but thanks to insiders insight with know it will have a retro 40 &/or 70 front end with round headlights. So to me it actually makes a better candidate as a 4Runner rendering.

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser (GX & Retro FJ influenced, for USA & Canada, Bronco, Jeep, Defender Rival)
Reveal: Fall 2023 (expect a 6-8 week teaser campaign ahead of the date)
Launch: Spring 2024
Engines: Alleged TTV6 or i-Force MAX 2.4T
Closest Renderings: BestCarWeb of Japan, is getting closer but still lacking the retro 40 or 70 series influences.
The Motor Trend rendering is said to give some clues but a) needs to be boxier like the GX. b) have less 4Runner cues. c) have more influence from the 40 &/or 70 series, including round headlights.
"The Legend Returns" Confirmed by Toyota 6-13-2023

 

I love an all black interior.

The nappa leather in your Santa Fe is excellent, its very close in quality to whats in your LC. Unusually nice for a mainstream car.

I think it hurts their brand to continue to lower the price of entry to the brand, I'm not alone:


It doesn't "offend" me, but it does diminish from the prestige of buying a Mercedes, changes the experience of servicing one etc. Is that the best move longterm for their brand?

Its still total garbage inside lol

Bringing it back to the GX, overall though the interior looks good quality. Note everything on the console is stitched material:



But that little bit of "wood" at the top is the only wood in the interior, no reason for that not to be real.

 

Like the Lexus ES is not a real Lexus (and I had one, but I'll be the first to admit it was a V6 Camry with cooled seats), a GLB/CLA is not a real Mercedes.

 

Mercedes may be reducing their offerings at the bottom end, but the reality is they certainly aren't getting rid of them. The CLA plays a very strategic role for Mercedes in bringing in younger customers and debuting certain tech features. That's why the next-gen CLA is getting the first application of Mercedes' new operating system and their most advanced screen set up. It will also be the first in the MB lineup to debut new battery chemistry and have a 800v architecture.

 

You are really stretching to find something to dislike about Lexus

 

That’s not the case at all, like I said I really like this vehicle and think it’s one of the most exciting vehicles Lexus has made in a long time.