Leather Seats - Premium vs + vs S-Line vs Alcantara

[Manual2018A5]

Anyone have input on the Alcantara vs regular leather seating? I know Alcantara doesn't get as hot/cold as leather, but does it get dirty easily?

I am looking for surfaces that will hold up for 15+ years.

Also, is the leather the same quality in the premium vs premium + vs prestige models? Is it all NAPA leather?

Do any of the B9 A5s come with ventilated seats or do you have to get an S/RS5?

I guess I am just confused as you can get the premium + leather seats (S-Line?) with out without Alcantara, but none are ventilated correct? Then there's the massage seats?

Is the leather on the base Premium models the same quality as the Premium + (just doesn't have the extra cushioning/bolsters/adjustable thigh part)?

Thanks!

[a2oc]

I am guessing you got the Sport + package (only available in conjunction with 6 speed a4/a5) with those alcantara seats? Really hard to keep clean tbh. Seems all A5 has the same sort of leather, I think they are called Milano leather, which isnt really a very high quality leather. A5 is possible to get vent seats with warm weather package.

[Manual2018A5]

I am guessing you got the Sport + package (only available in conjunction with 6 speed a4/a5) with those alcantara seats? Really hard to keep clean tbh. Seems all A5 has the same sort of leather, I think they are called Milano leather, which isnt really a very high quality leather. A5 is possible to get vent seats with warm weather package.

Thanks for replying. I actually have the base, non-S-line, leather seats. Kind of debating if I should have went with the next level up. I am not a huge fan of alcantara.

I don't think the manual 2018 A5s even came in Prestige package, just Premium and Premium + (at least in the US).

[superswiss]

I had the Alcantara seats in my 2013 RS5 and I really liked them. Besides what you mentioned that they don't get hot/cold, they also hold you in place better around corners. Less likely that you slide around, but that also made them a little tougher to adjust position in the seat as my pants didn't slide easily on them. As far as dirt goes, Alcantara or similar microfiber materials are the easiest to clean. I read a lot about folks advising against Alcantara because supposedly it gets dirty or wears. It's all a bunch of nonsense really. All you need is to damp a cloth in soapy water and wipe them down. Don't soak the material. Just keep the cloth damp, and then dry it with a dry cloth. Even steering wheels that get the oils from holding them, can easily be cleaned with soapy water. Just do it regularly before it's all disgusting, but even then it can still be cleaned. After cleaning and drying, use a toothbrush to make the fibers stand up again. Will look like new afterwards.

Regarding leather quality, the A models have the lowest quality leather. If you want Nappa leather you have to move up to the S at least or go for the Audi Individual program. Regardless, with the Alcantara seats the side bolsters are still leather, but even in the S and RS models its a lower quality leather. That's probably the one thing that bothered me a bit about my RS5, but it wasn't really a big deal.

Ventilated seats are not available with Alcantara, because it requires the seat cushions to be perforated. I think Alcantara wouldn't hold up if it was perforated. You are less likely to get a sweaty back with Alcantara, though. It was one reason I chose Alcantara, because Audi didn't offer seat ventilation with the sport seats in the RS5. Only the comfort seats were available with ventilation.

I'm back in leather seats with my AMG now. I would have gotten DINAMICA, which is Mercedes' version of Alcantara if it had been available, but the C63S only comes with Nappa leather seats. Fortunately, starting with 2019 the seat ventilation became available in conjunction with the aggressive performance seats. I don't miss the Alcantara now thanks to the ventilation. I do have the full DINAMICA steering wheel and it looks like new after 13k miles. I only cleaned it once so far. I do wear driving gloves, though, when I hit up the canyons where my hands get sweaty, but I don't wear them during normal driving. I am somewhat obsessive about washing my hands, though, even before the COVID crisis, and never really got into my car w/o washing my hands beforehand. I really hate touching stuff with dirty hands.

[a2oc]

I am not a big fan of alcantara too, but as the car came with it, I am stuck with it. It does grip quite well, but its like a very efficient micro fibre towel, traps all the dirt all the time, smell too. Especially worse with sweat smell. It is pretty gross when I try to wet vac it. The chemicals turns from clear to brown. I don't know if the a5 manual could not be ordered with Prestige, as the 'order guide' did list it, but I highly doubt anyone did it, or seen one for sale. I am very glad with all the options on my 18 manual a5, except the alcantara.

[jab23]

I wish my RS5 had alcantara inserts. Had them in my Cayenne GTS. As mentioned, no hot/cold swings, keep you planted, never showed any sign of wear/creasing (5 years of ownership) and very easy to clean.

[Manual2018A5]

I wish my RS5 had alcantara inserts. Had them in my Cayenne GTS. As mentioned, no hot/cold swings, keep you planted, never showed any sign of wear/creasing (5 years of ownership) and very easy to clean.

Hey, I see you had a BRILLIANT BLACK S5 - what was your opinion of BRILLIANT BLACK vs MYTHOS BLACK?

Also - how is PHANTOM BLACK different?

And... how does driving an auto RS5 compare to having driven manuals? I am a hardcore manual driver and I honestly ruled out a 2018 S5 cause it only came in auto. Don't know what the hell I am going to do in the future as everyone is getting rid of manuals.

[khalimadeath]

I've got the Alcantara in my S5, was a very hard interior to find. I'm not sure how common it is. I also had Alcantara in my 03 S6 with 130k. Those seats looked and felt just fine. Imo Alcantara or bust if its offered in your budget. The leather bolsters paired with the Alcantara is the way to go. The only bummer in the S5 is the headliner is not Alcantara matched as the S6 was.

[TD Pcar]

I have always avoided Alcantara seats in the past because I perceived them as hard to clean or would wear too easily. I have them in my S5 now, and they look great. I get tons of comments about the uniqueness of diamond stitched Alcantara. I was sold by the comfort of the Alcantara seats. The grip is great and they never get too hot or cold in the Texas weather extremes. No more burnt legs sitting down in shorts! They clean up way easier then I thought they would and the genuine Alcantara doesn’t get smooshed like I expected it to. I have no issues with the seats absorbing sweat or stinking and I even have a sweaty soccer player teenager in the car 3x a week.

[Racerinlsl]

I have always avoided Alcantara seats in the past because I perceived them as hard to clean or would wear too easily. I have them in my S5 now, and they look great. I get tons of comments about the uniqueness of diamond stitched Alcantara. I was sold by the comfort of the Alcantara seats. The grip is great and they never get too hot or cold in the Texas weather extremes. No more burnt legs sitting down in shorts! They clean up way easier then I thought they would and the genuine Alcantara doesn’t get smooshed like I expected it to. I have no issues with the seats absorbing sweat or stinking and I even have a sweaty soccer player teenager in the car 3x a week.

Agreed on all of this. I was shopping for a used 2018 and LUCKILY landed on the Alcantara version, for a few reasons.
1 - The seats ROCK. The adjustments including side bolsters and the grip of the alcantara.
2 - If you opt out of these seats via the cold weather package, you also lose the flat-bottom steering wheel.

SO SO SO glad I went this route.

[Chris997S]

I had the option when I ordered my RS5...I've always had leather and wanted the Alcantara to have something different. After a year, it still looks brand new and I love the contrast. My one and only complaint is not having the cooled seating option, but that's what dash A/C is for.

[Breaber45]

I guess you may try to search a massage pad for your seat no matter which seat you've choosen.

[SHCKR]

I paid the premium for the nappa leather, and two years into ownership is holding up real well. Exit side bolster is showing some minor creases, but that's expected. No sign of wear through marks or rips or anything like that. Would definitely recommend.

B9S4 all packages