Hey all, does anyone know if the UL and CL models use real or fake leather on the door panels, dash trim and glove box? If it is real leather, do you know what kind of leather?

Reason being is because I wasn’t sure if i should coat and protect the trim with leather conditioner or vinyl treatment.

 

If its stitched its real leather use lexol leather cleaner and conditioner on it works the best.

 

Anywhere that the passenger is going to come in contact with it will be leather. So the back of the seats, the lower parts, they are usually vinyl. You can stitch vinyl, but it’s a simple stitch, leather stitching will look like the stitching on a baseball

 

Some decent threads on leather info. As usual, lots of opinion, but you can tell when someone is in the know:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...04-06-a-2.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/aut...e-ls430-2.html

Most cars now are a form of synthetic. Performance drivers like it for less slip. The mass public likes it because you don't have to do much to it. I agree with above, the CL and UL models new would have a tag hanging from the headrest stating it was genuine, I believe it is called Napa. Occasionally on BaT, one will come up that still has the tag.
I have an ML and all the manual says is to wipe down with a 10% Woolite solution. I still condition it sometimes, seems to soften it.

 

Good info guys. After closer inspection, the leather wrapped on the dash that is stitched, including the door panels on the UL and CL trim, isn’t the same kind of leather that’s on the seats, but more of a synthetic type of leather, kinda pleather kinda not. Could it be bonded?

 

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Is your dashboard stitched leather because its an UL? I have never seen an UL in person. I googled them and there doesnt seem to be a difference.

 

Suede? I’ve never seen a UL with suede stitched leather on the dash and door panels, and I’ve driven 2 of them.

But one was a 2004 and an 05, so Im not sure how the earlier LS 430’s were setup inside. There is no difference from the UL and CL models as far as the interior quality of materials go with the stitched leather trim, or even the door glass which is exactly the same having acoustically laminated glass on all 4 doors. The obvious difference is its features that’s exclusive to the UL, but other than the added features to the UL, the CL trim is the same.

 

Sorry the dash panel is not suede. Not at home now but know several parts are suede in the UL. Will look later in week and report back which is and when made post apparently didn't read your post properly.

 

I hear the UL has the extra leather stiching on the doors ( you can tell a UL with the seam on the door panels ) Perhaps your referring to alcantara
Chatgpt says:

Suede / “ecsaine”-type material

• According to a discussion on the forum ClubLexus, the “CL and UL” trims came with a factory suede headliner instead of the standard material. [url alt="https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/489906-ls430-headliners.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com"=https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/489906-ls430-headliners.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com]clublexus.com+1[/url]
  
• One Reddit post noted for the CL/UL models: “Also have suede headliner instead of traditional Toyota material.” [url alt="https://www.reddit.com/r/LS430/comments/xx8pfe/ls430_ultracustom_luxury_interior_identification/?utm_source=chatgpt.com"=https://www.reddit.com/r/LS430/comments/xx8pfe/ls430_ultracustom_luxury_interior_identification/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]Reddit[/url]
  
• Further, Wikipedia’s article on the LS (XF40 generation) mentions that upgraded materials — including a headliner made out of “ecsaine, a suede-like material used by couturier Yves Saint-Laurent” — are offered for the interior. [url alt="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_LS_%28XF40%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com"=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_LS_%28XF40%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com]Wikipedia[/url]
  

So yes — the UL trim does appear to have a suede-type headliner (or at least a “suede-like” premium fabric) in the factory specification.

❓ What about Alcantara?

• Alcantara is a branded synthetic suede-look/feel textile used in many high-end interiors. [url alt="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcantara_%28material%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com"=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcantara_%28material%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com]Wikipedia[/url]
  
• I found a used part listing (for trim pieces from a 2001-06 LS430) that describes the material as “Alcantara Suede”. [url alt="https://www.ebay.com/itm/196088722404?utm_source=chatgpt.com"=https://www.ebay.com/itm/196088722404?utm_source=chatgpt.com]eBay[/url]
  
• However, I did not find a reliable factory spec sheet or strong OEM documentation stating that Lexus officially used “Alcantara” by brand name in the 2004 LS430 UL interior. The wording in sources uses “suede” or “suede-like” rather than explicitly “Alcantara”.
  

 

The suede in mine is real leather and without looking it is the headliner, sunvisor, windshield and door posts and some other areas. There is also a lot of leather in the car besides the seats but being over 20 years since I knew what was and wasn't I would be unsure now to say. It does appear like console, armrest, glove box and parts of door are. Fairly certain the dash is not especially since a lot of people have had problems with bubbling. My dash though is in perfect shape.

 

Door panels are different on UL from ML - never saw suede on UL doors but leather - anyone got a picture?

 

Makes more sense. I love that stitched look on the dash of the UL and CL, but I would have a hard time believing they put a leather in those places that needed upkeep, more likely a synthetic. I could see that in Rolls or Bentley where you potentially have house staff taking care of the vehicles, but these LS's were still semi-commoner cars, high income for sure but still semi-commoner.

 

Here is the UL pics with the stiching - I normally see just this leather on the doors and dash - Not sure about suede -