How do we feel about leather and wood steering wheels?

[JulesMaximus]

Many luxury cars are doing this now and I have to say that I'm not a fan. The wood is hot during the summer and cold in the winter. I prefer a full leather wrapped wheel.

 

[Evilviking]

Lexus (and probably many others) have done it for years. I think it looks fancy. Not something I would personally want for a couple more decades tho.

 

[Raizinman]

In tense or racing situations my hands tend to get a little sweaty. I don't like smooth wood surfaces. I much prefer leather wrapped that has a little texture to it.

 

[SSSnail]

In tense or racing situations my hands tend to get a little sweaty. I don't like smooth wood surfaces. I much prefer leather wrapped that has a little texture to it.

hash tag driving gloves. Amidoinitrite?

 

[SearchMaster]

Leather all the way. Wood is almost going back to the hard plastic wheels of the 70s and 80s in terms of tactile feel. I never want to relive the sensation of driving our green 70s station wagon as a teen

 

[Elganja]

hate hate hate wood steering wheels as a driver, but it does look awesome

 

[tsupersonic]

I have an '02 MDX, and the steering wheel is the worst! It's partial wood/leather. Like you said, it's cold in winter, hot in the summer.

Ideally, I love wheels that are partial alcantara/leather. Alcantara for the touch points, and leather for the rest. Something like this:

 

[JulesMaximus]

I have an '02 MDX, and the steering wheel is the worst! It's partial wood/leather. Like you said, it's cold in winter, hot in the summer.

Ideally, I love wheels that are partial alcantara/leather. Alcantara for the touch points, and leather for the rest. Something like this:

Yeah, that is a nice wheel.

Our Lexus has one of those combination wood/leather wheels and I've been driving that car quite a bit lately which kind of prompted this thread. As someone else mentioned, they feel kind of cheap and plastic like. I know that it is a wood veneer but it is sealed with a hard lacquer so it is durable but I just don't like the combination of materials on a steering wheel.

Thankfully, none of our other cars have that. They both have leather wrapped flat bottom steering wheels.

 

[Ferzerp]

I've had alacantra for grip before, and my only concern has been that it will wear poorly in that scenario. It hasn't been a problem for me since I've sold the cars after a year, but it was something that I am curious if will last.

 

[herm0016]

leather all the way.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Another vote for leather... This is all Bentley's fault. They have to add all those inlays by hand and cut all the leather by hand to each order to be fancy and set standards of craftsmanship.... It makes companies like Lexus want to figure out ways to mass produce similar looks to upsell everyone on it.

I'd take the Mercedes wheel over that any day. What bothers me the most about cars these days is the cheaper plastics they are using....they are strong, light, but thin. They have decent look and definitely will last a decade in a vehicle...but at the cost of feeling flimsy. I miss the old days when the plastics were more rubberized and cars had more metal in them. (call me old-school)

 

[repoman0]

I've had alacantra for grip before, and my only concern has been that it will wear poorly in that scenario. It hasn't been a problem for me since I've sold the cars after a year, but it was something that I am curious if will last.

I've got an alcantara wheel in my 2005 M3. It's nice to grip and doesn't get too hot or too cold, but it is easily the most worn piece in the car. It starts to pill and feels a little rough. Granted, I bought the car with 34,500 miles and have only put 4000 miles on it since, so not sure what it was like when it was new. I also haven't cleaned it because I don't know how.

If it doesn't clean up well when I get the energy to figure out how, I will probably get it rewrapped in leather.

 

[Raizinman]

hash tag driving gloves. Amidoinitrite?

Driving a high performance car on the street, its not always possible to be wearing your crash helmet, racing shoes and gloves. You never know when you might need 550 horses at a moments notice, but I'm sure glad it is there when I need it!!

 

[Midwayman]

My folks used to have a car with a partial wooden wheel. I hated that thing. Awful texture. I'm with you on the alcantara/leather combo. Feels great. I just wish that they would make steering wheels thicker in general. I end up grabbing my wheel a little higher than I probably should because there are bulges there that are way more comfortable to hold.

 

[jlee]

I've got an alcantara wheel in my 2005 M3. It's nice to grip and doesn't get too hot or too cold, but it is easily the most worn piece in the car. It starts to pill and feels a little rough. Granted, I bought the car with 34,500 miles and have only put 4000 miles on it since, so not sure what it was like when it was new. I also haven't cleaned it because I don't know how.

If it doesn't clean up well when I get the energy to figure out how, I will probably get it rewrapped in leather.

You do have to clean it - the wheel on my MR2 is ~4 years old and is starting to get smooth in high-wear spots. I bought a bottle of Alcantara cleaner on Amazon and will try it out - it should bring it back to like-new.

 

[theeedude]

Fine Corinthian leather or bust.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Fine Corinthian leather or bust.

Who are you? Ricardo Montalban?

Can I interest you in this fine 1970s Chrysler Cordoba?

Yes, I am old enough to remember those commercials.

 

[mvbighead]

I have a wood steering wheel on my RX330. I rather like it. My wife does to. As for hot/cold extremes, it never really bothers me. The car as a whole is either hot or cold. When the air runs a few minutes, it's tolerable.

 

[exar333]

Leather steering wheel FTW. Wood or carbon fiber feel too 'hollow' and lack the grip. Alcantara is OK, but some can really wear quickly.

 

[franksta]

I've not driven a new car with a wood wheel. I'm a fan of the old ones though.

 

[Yakk]

Enjoy the feel of wood, and like wood steering wheels.

Except in the winter at -20C, where it gets covered by a foam to not freeze fingers. Leather is just as hot or cold, so not for me.

 

[Engineer]

I like the look but haven't used one to really tell how well they feel.

 

[IronWing]

Bakelite steering wheel is best steering wheel. The reason is that they were thinner. Modern steering wheels are too thick. Also, steering wheels should never have a spoke at the bottom. I can't balance a super piggy gulp on the bottom of the steering wheel if there is a spoke there.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Bakelite steering wheel is best steering wheel. The reason is that they were thinner. Modern steering wheels are too thick. Also, steering wheels should never have a spoke at the bottom. I can't balance a super piggy gulp on the bottom of the steering wheel if there is a spoke there.

Yeah, you couldn't balance a super piggy gulp on the steering wheel in my car. Here is an interior shot of my car. This wheel feels good in my hands and I don't think it is too thick at all.

 

[exar333]

I've not driven a new car with a wood wheel. I'm a fan of the old ones though.

I would agree with this.

A pre-airbag vehicle or classic car with a stylish (thin) wood wheel is pretty nice. Modern ones not so much...