Random 2013 interior question.

[Sequoia225]

One thing I have noticed in the 2013s that surprised me compared to my 2003 Limited was the back of the front seats:

Whats with the huge plate of plastic armor on the back of the seat? My 2003 is nice full leather apart from the netting pocket on both seats and the mount arms for that pocket - but its still all leather.

2003 seat back:
http://pictures.dealer.com/s/stanols...bba184afax.jpg

2013 seat back (note the back of the front seats - Im not talking about the folded down seats)
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/outbac...protector1.jpg

[autorot8]

With kids, I prefer the plastic armor on the back of the seat to better protect the seat from small feet.

[Harvey]

I also prefer the plastic on the back of the front seats.

[Sequoia225]

Originally Posted by Harvey

I also prefer the plastic on the back of the front seats.

It just puts a lot more plastic look in the interior and I wondered if anyone knew why they did it - since the whole back of the seat being leather to being plastic is quite a change. i dont know what was in the 3G as I have the 2G I think.

I am looking at the SAP package and the black plastic against the brown leather is a bit strange - wish they could have colored it like they did with the white and black.

[Harvey]

I bought my Outback to be more utility than luxury so for me, personally, it's okay. If kids kick the backs of the seats, as they will do, I won't worry. When I put the back seats down and load stuff, I won't have to worry about hurting the leather on the back of the seats. Heck, even if my wife sat in the back she would put her feet on the back of the seats like she puts her feet all over the glovebox and dash.

[Sequoia225]

lol well for me, my 2003 Outback Limited was luxury and is as luxury as Im sure Ill ever have. All I had before that 3 Toyota Tercels before that. Now that the 2013 OB Limited is 10,000 more than my 2003 OB Limited, I wasnt expecting MORE plastic.

[iainb]

Originally Posted by Sequoia225

It just puts a lot more plastic look in the interior and I wondered if anyone knew why they did it - since the whole back of the seat being leather to being plastic is quite a change. i dont know what was in the 3G as I have the 2G I think.

I am looking at the SAP package and the black plastic against the brown leather is a bit strange - wish they could have colored it like they did with the white and black.

Does it really matter if the backs of the seats aren't leather when they entire front of the seat isn't leather?

Only the perforated center inserts are real leather. The side bolsters on the seat and seat back are fake leather.

[Sequoia225]

Originally Posted by iainb

Does it really matter if the backs of the seats aren't leather when they entire front of the seat isn't leather?

Only the perforated center inserts are real leather. The side bolsters on the seat and seat back are fake leather.

no - it doesnt matter that much. When I can purchase - Im still getting the OB limited.
And its not about it being LEATHER/vs fabric, so much as its just the change from my seat (older OB LIM) and the new, is a normal soft material to very large bulky hard shell.
It just looks odd to me and I initially was just curious why the seat went from one extreme to the other and wondered if anyone knew.

[Harvey]

If you are going to buy the Outback, you could probably get someone to redo the seats for you.

[OBnube]

The plastic does not bother me but I would prefer storage nets on the back of both seats.