We too were going the Inscription route but couldn't get past the colors. We drove out of state to test drive an RD Design and loved the seats. We too are used to leather but the seats felt great and gripped so much better. We decided to order and are awaiting a BB R Design later this year.

 

I still haven't been able to get hands-on with an RD XC40, so I have to rely on the photos and videos that I've seen online. I'm used to full leather seats in my cars, so the idea of suede seats seems ... worrisome. Suede seems like it might easily stain, much like suede shoes vs. polished leather shoes.

What's the verdict from those of you who have first-hand experience with the RD? I'd rather get the RD, due to the sporty red metallic paint job vs. the rather serious and dour colors of the Inscription. I just wish it had full polished leather seats. I like the Inscription's crystal shifter, too, but that's not a deal breaker. [emoji6]

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I sat in both and went with the Momentum over the RD simply because of the seats, even though I wanted the RD packages. I did not really care for the "suede" that was in the center. I like to have the movement on the seat and I feel the RD seats kinda stuck me to it, which Im sure is the whole point with the sporty aspect of it. I also have a friend that has the suede seats and they stated they felt they get hotter than normal leather. Not sure how accurate this is, but something to think about. The Momentum seats were great and I really liked them. Hopefully some other ppl will chime in.

 

I sat in both and went with the Momentum over the RD simply because of the seats, even though I wanted the RD packages.

Same. I can't understand why Volvo has decided that a "premium" interior upgrade needs faux-suede no matter what they name it.

 

It’s Alcantara - Despite having a similar appearance to suede, Alcantara can endure much harsher environments without spoiling its soft and silky characteristics. This makes it an ideal material to use inside cars – it’ll brush off light scuffs and marks with ease, where other materials may be damaged.

Another obvious plus-point are the looks – many performance and high end cars use this material for its grippy texture and premium appearance. While it is more durable and resistant, to keep it looking its best (and your resale values high) you’ll want to keep it clean.

(From carwow.co.uk)

 

It's Alcantara - Despite having a similar appearance to suede, Alcantara can endure much harsher environments without spoiling its soft and silky characteristics. This makes it an ideal material to use inside cars - it'll brush off light scuffs and marks with ease, where other materials may be damaged.

(From carwow.co.uk)

Sorry, not alcantara, it's nubuck.

Alcantara is a textile that was designed to be a substitute for animal hides.

To make the nubuck, the outer layer of the calfskin is used, then the leather has to be sanded from the outside of the skin.
The nubuck is more expensive than suede most of the time. This is because the outer layer of calfskin, is tougher than
the inner part used for the suede and therefore logically is stronger and will last longer.

 

Interesting. Yes, I've looked on the Volvo website and it is Nubuck leather. I have an old pair of nubuck shoes, so I know it well. From Wikipedia: 'Nubuck is top-grain cattle leather that has been sanded or buffed on the grain side, or outside, to give a slight nap of short protein fibers, producing a velvet-like surface. It is resistant to wear, and may be white or coloured.

Nubuck is similar to suede, but is created from the outer side of a hide, giving it more strength and thickness and a fine grain.[2] It is generally more expensive than suede, and must be coloured or dyed heavily to cover up the sanding and stamping process.

Nubuck characteristics are similar to aniline leather. It is soft to the touch, scratches easily, and water drops darken it temporarily (it dries to its original color).'

It's still going to be less forgiving that normal leather seats. Not sure how it would get hotter than regular polished leather in the sun ... but I may be going for an aftermarket tinting, given the harsh Southern California summer months. I'd still prefer the polished leather, but will have to adjust my expectations.

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So I was skeptical but I don’t mind it in my R Design. It was literally the only thing I didn’t like about the car before I got it but I prefer the exterior of styling of the R Design over the momentum and inscription so I was willing to make the compromise. It’s grown on me and my friend said it keeps you cooler in the summer VS. regular leather. I do not like that the headrests are also nubuck but I’m adding the Volvo accessory pillows to the front headrests which is an imitation perforated black leather which will go nicely with the perforated Napa parts of the seats. I’m going to see if they fit on the back headrests as well but I don’t think they will with the folding feature.

 

So I was skeptical but I don't mind it in my R Design. It was literally the only thing I didn't like about the car before I got it but I prefer the exterior of styling of the R Design over the momentum and inscription so I was willing to make the compromise. It's grown on me and my friend said it keeps you cooler in the summer VS. regular leather. I do not like that the headrests are also nubuck but I'm adding the Volvo accessory pillows to the front headrests which is an imitation perforated black leather which will go nicely with the perforated Napa parts of the seats. I'm going to see if they fit on the back headrests as well but I don't think they will with the folding feature.

Thanks for that personal review. Yeah, I'd prefer pure polished leather for the seats, as seen in the Inscription, but I also prefer the RD's styling. Damnit, I want that fire engine red paint job, not some subtle shade of gray. [emoji16]

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Press release description:

2019 XC40 R-Design: Stepping up to the R-Design will get you 19-inch double-spoke matte black wheels,
a Sport chassis (versus Dynamic chassis), an R-Design grille, R-Design aluminum inlays, R-Design pedals,
a three-spoke R-Design steering wheel with perforated leather, Nubuck R-Design leather upholstery,
metal R-Design front tread plates, a black headliner, glossy black roof rails, dual integrated tailpipes,
and automatic high beam LED headlights with active bending.

 

You're right, it wasn't the UK site. I did a search of the interior code RB00 and came to this build site.

https://www.volvocars.com/sg/build/...com/sg/build/suv/xc40/r-design/d3-6-speed-manual/personalize/upholstery?s=wbkf0

Volvo is a little more descriptive/accurate in other markets.

 

Ahhh, the SINGAPORE site. The only site I've found that calls it textile. Sorry, but don't buy that one at all. Nice try!

Here's FRANCE: https://www.volvocars.com/fr/config...teur/suv/xc40/r-design/t5-awd-boite-geartronic-8/personalize/upholstery?s=9ThIO
(Translation for you: Nubuck / Perforated Nappa Leather R-Design Anthracite, Ambient Anthracite RB00)

Here's Belgium: https://www.volvocars.com/nl-be/con...c40/r-design/t5-awd-geartronic™-8-traps-automaat/personalize/upholstery?s=wcPXF
(Translation: RB00 Comfort seats in Charcoal Nubuck / perforated Nappa leather and black roof)

chk'd several others and NO TEXTILE reference except your Singapore link! SORRY. Enjoy that useless bridge you were convinced to buy!

 

Please tell all of these people that they are wrong - it really is leather!

http://blog.consumerguide.com/test-drive-2019-volvo-xc40-r-design/

http://volvosaskatoon.com/research/build/397383

https://philkotse.com/new-releases/...volvo-xc40-2018-out-in-australia-with-4-variants-each-has-a-launch-edition-1956

I could go on and on, lol.

 

Please tell all of these people that they are wrong - it really is leather!

http://blog.consumerguide.com/test-drive-2019-volvo-xc40-r-design/ Magazine article

http://volvosaskatoon.com/research/build/397383 Volvo "dealer"

https://philkotse.com/new-releases/...volvo-xc40-2018-out-in-australia-with-4-variants-each-has-a-launch-edition-1956 Philkotse.com is a leading portal for automotive classified ads in the Philippines.

I could go on and on, lol.

I already own the XC40 with NUBUCK LEATHER, thanks.
Please contact Volvo and let them know their literature and majority of their websites are wrong, because you say so. Doubt they'll buy your bridge either!

 

More inaccuracies, lol:

https://www.volvocars.com/intl/cars/new-models/xc60/trim/r-design

https://www.volvocars.com/intl/cars/new-models/xc90/trim/r-design

https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/first-impressions/2019-volvo-xc40-first-drive.html

But I know your car has really leather nubuck, lol.

 

This whole "is it leather or is it synthetic" has been played out 100 times. If you look at how Volvo classifies their RB00 material, in some instances they call it nubuck textile and in other places they call it nubuck leather. If you hold a piece of nubuck in your hand and you feel it when you're also touching the R-design seats ("RB00"), it is obvious that the RB00 material is a synthetic leather. That does not detract from the fact that synthetics are now SO CLOSE to being real leather that its almost impossible to discern the difference, and it isn't to say that the RB00 material is uncomfortable (you might even say it's more comfortable than leather). But the bottom line is that RB00 is not real leather.

 

http://forums.swedespeed.com/showth.../showthread.php?204060-What-s-the-straight-story-on-R-Design-Nubuck-amp-Leather

 

I'm not suggesting that Volvo is doing this on purpose, but it is interesting to me that Australia's equivalent of the Federal Trade Commission went after Toyota for its fake-leather advertising a few years ago:
Source:
https://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/holy-cow-toyota-busted-for-fake-leather-20130212-2ea7d.html

And on the Australian Volvo XC40 configurator, they are careful to describe the R-Design interior as follows:
"R-Design Nubuck textile/Fine Nappa Perforated Leather Charcoal in Charcoal interior (RB00)"

Link:
https://www.volvocars.com/au/build-...com/au/build-your-own/xc/xc40/r-design/t5-2-0l-8-speed-auto-awd/summary?s=wXqpW

Whereas their USA Website configurator says "Charcoal Nubuck Leather"
Link:
https://www.volvocars.com/us/build/suv/xc40/r-design/t5-awd/personalize/upholstery?s=yqEKx

 

I'm not suggesting that Volvo is doing this on purpose, but it is interesting to me that Australia's equivalent of the Federal Trade Commission went after Toyota for its fake-leather advertising a few years ago:

Yea, that was my thinking on looking on the UK site! Find the countries that actually enforce false advertising laws (ie, definitely not the US) and see what its listed there. The UK makes more or less no claim at all, and then all these others say textile.

Personally had I known it was synthetic, that'd be a buying point.

 

This thread sure has a lot of testosterone in it. Shall we also debate Yanni or Laurel?

 

Just trying to resolve misconceptions. As a fan of the brand, it's a little annoying that Volvo's own customer care people are misinformed and that folks have to come on a website to get accurate information.

 

I'm considering an XC90 r-design. What are the rear seats like? Are they normal leather or suede? I have 2 kids in car seats and would think that regular leather would be easier to clean up a mess...thoughts?

 

If you go to the Volvo site and build a car, you see Nubuck and Nappa leather for the R-Design seats. Seems to be very similar to the XC40 RD, although the seats themselves are more substantial on the XC90. Not sure why there's this determination to push suede-like Nubuck in RD models. I've had one person explain that it makes you stick to the seat better when zooming around curves. That was a good laugh. [emoji23]

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Reached out to Volvo on Facebook:

Volvo Car USA
Can I get customer service help?
I would like to understand if the upholstery of the XC40 R-Design is GENUINE NUBUCK "LEATHER", or if it is NUBUCK TEXTILE. Please confirm.
WED 7:44PM

Volvo Car USA
Hello Joe, thank you for your interest in the XC40. The Nubuck leather is very similar to a suede texture, not a smooth leather.
5:22AM
Joe
Thank you, but I'm still not understanding if it is genuine leather or a man-made textile. Please define which it is.
4:38PM

Volvo Car USA
Hello Joe, it is genuine leather.

 

As helpful as they can be in some situations, the social media teams for major companies are not the best resources for detailed product information.

 

To steer this conversation in a different direction...
Did people who try both seats RD vs Regular find RD seats more comfortable? For some reason the one time I sat in both I felt RD had seats that were a bit more comfortable.
Wife is back to XC40 (again), but now it's the Inscription.

 

Personally felt RD gave more lateral support and seemed to have a "fitted" feel over the Momentum.
Thigh extension a big plus in comfort, especially on long trips.

 

Oxide red leather should have been exclusive option on RD...black with inserts
or red without inserts

 

I may be a little late to the party and Gracian has already commented on the real/not real question. However, should anyone still be interested...

The official Swedish Volvo site describes the seats of the r-design XC40 as:

"Stolarna har paneler i nubuck med bolster och inlägg i perforerat nappaläder med kontrasterande vita sömmar och passpoaler för en verkligt sportig känsla. Nubucktextil är en vacker högteknologisk väv med enastående grepp och naturlig ventilation. Perfekt för vardagen tack vare att det är praktiskt och slitstarkt. Perforerat nappaläder har en jämn och naturlig finish och perforeringarna förbättrar ventilationen."

For those not fluent in Swedish, even if driving a Volvo (mind the possible poor translation) [emoji6]:

"The seats have panels of nubuck with bolsters and inlays in perforated nappa leather with contrasting white seams and "passpoals" (?) for a really sporty feeling. Nubuck textile is a beautiful high technology weave with astounding grip and natural ventilation [...]".

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with contrasting white seams and "passpoals" (?)

"passpoals" = "piping" Thanks. Your input should end the debate. But it won't.

 

I had a similar experience with a dealership. In mid-late March I went to the dealership to see if I could have them track down a low-mileage CPO xc60. Sales Rep told me about the XC40 at that time (since it is MY2019, I mistakenly thought it wouldn’t be available till the Fall).

But they didn’t have a Momentum or an R-design for me to test drive, because their first batch “sold so quickly.” I.e., they made no effort to ensure there would be at least ONE at the dealership. Sales Rep said “come back next week” to test drive XC40. Meanwhile I have no car due to my prior car being totaled, and I’m supposed to wait a week just to test drive?

On my own initiative I went to another Volvo dealership, 25 miles away, to test drive the xc40 (they had only an R-DES with lava interior). So I test drove that one (but ultimately bought one from the first dealership I went to.)


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Ordered an RD last week. I too was kind of concerned about the nubuck, mostly if it would stain. A lot of online reviews say it is very comfortable. Scotch guard has a nubuck specific product. I think I'll try that.

 

I was able to sit in a momentum and R-Design side by side and I thought the comfort of the front seats were comparable (R-Design being a bit more grippy like people have said).

The big difference for me was the rear seats. For some reason, both my significant other and I thought the rear seats in the R-Design were a LOT more comfortable than the seats in the Momentum.

Both rear seats suffer from lack of thigh support. The seats are just too short.

 

Having come from a Beemer with boston leather seats I felt I was compromising with the nubuck/leather on my R Design FE. 1k miles down the road though and I'm sold on these seats. The comfortable nubuck inserts do look a cool contrast that match the contrasting black roof and white paint of my car. I still like the idea of full leather but I'm definitely a convert with the Volvo nubuck/leather seats for the R Design.

 

In the Swedish configurator you can fit a R-design with either leather or nubuck. Maybe possible to special order from US too?

 

Yes, the color is called Fusion Red and is quite a bit different from a traditional fire engine red - that would be more Passion Red in Volvo's nomenclature.

 

I still haven't been able to get hands-on with an RD XC40, so I have to rely on the photos and videos that I've seen online. I'm used to full leather seats in my cars, so the idea of suede seats seems ... worrisome. Suede seems like it might easily stain, much like suede shoes vs. polished leather shoes.

What's the verdict from those of you who have first-hand experience with the RD?

Just returned from 800+ miles of OSD first hand experience with R-Design seats in Sweden and Norway. Versus Momo/Inscription seats I test drove in the U.S., I found the Nubuck excellent in all ways. That surprised me, because I've always been a full leather fan. I found the R-Design side bolstering far more pronounced than the Momo/Inscription, and loved it. I'm medium-build. An NFL nose tackle definitely would not fit in an R-Design seat.