Do Civics have leather seats?
Yes—leather seats aren’t standard on the base Honda Civic, but higher-end trims offer leather seating, typically in the form of leather-trimmed surfaces rather than full leather. Availability varies by model year and market.
In this article, we explain how leather seating is distributed across the current Civic lineup, how to verify the exact upholstery on the car you’re considering, and what to know about care and maintenance. The information reflects the latest available model-year details for the 11th-generation Civic (model years 2022–present), with variations by trim and region.
Leather seating by trim
Here's how upholstery typically breaks down in the current Civic lineup. Note that exact materials can vary by year and market, so always confirm with the dealer or official spec sheets.
- LX: Cloth seats.
- Sport: Cloth seats.
- EX: Cloth seats.
- EX-L: Leather-trimmed seating surfaces (premium synthetic leather).
- Touring: Leather-trimmed seating surfaces (premium synthetic leather), often with additional seat refinements.
Conclusion: If you want leather seating, plan to look at EX-L or Touring on most current Civics. The base trims generally come with fabric upholstery, and the higher trims use leather-trimmed surfaces that may be synthetic rather than genuine leather. Material specifics can vary by year and market, so check the exact build for your car.
How to verify on a specific vehicle
To confirm upholstery on the exact Civic you’re considering, use these steps when shopping new or used.
- Check the window sticker (Monroney) or the official build sheet for upholstery wording (e.g., "Leather-trimmed seating surfaces").
- Review the official Honda brochure or the online build tool for your model year and trim.
- Inspect photos or the interior in person to confirm the seat material and color of the trim you’re evaluating.
Conclusion: Upholstery descriptions can differ by year and market, so always verify with official sources or the selling dealer before purchase.
Care and maintenance of leather seats
Leather-trimmed seating surfaces require a bit more regular care than cloth to maintain appearance and longevity.
- Keep seats clean by vacuuming regularly and wiping with a damp microfiber cloth to remove dust and debris.
- Use cleaners and conditioners formulated for automotive leather or leatherette; avoid harsh solvents that can dry or crack surfaces.
- Avoid direct, prolonged sun exposure; use sunshades or park in shade to protect the material from fading.
- Condition the leather-trimmed surfaces periodically to maintain suppleness and prevent cracking.
Conclusion: With proper care, leather-trimmed seats can be durable and comfortable, though they may require more maintenance than cloth seats.
Summary
The Honda Civic does offer leather seating, but not on the base models. Higher trims—primarily EX-L and Touring—typically come with leather-trimmed (often synthetic leather) seating surfaces. Always check the exact model year’s brochures, the dealer’s build sheet, or the window sticker to confirm the upholstery for the specific car you’re considering, since materials and availability can vary by year and market.
