Steering wheel is real leather, as is the shifter knob.

The other real leather portions are those which are perforated. These include the middle portion of the seats, the area behind the hand grip on the doors. Everything else is synthetic.

For more information, read this thread: http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f138/2014-forester-leather-composition-244938/

 

Ok thanks, except my seats are cloth with vinyl bolsters (XT Premium). That's why I am wondering if the wheel is leather - the Subaru materials don't say so.

 

You will love the upgrade to the 15 STi wheel. One of my favorite mods.

COBB AccessPort_ by vJoshf, on Flickr



Here's a better picture. Feels excellent in the hands and love that it's smaller in diameter.

STi Steering Wheel swap_-4 by vJoshf, on Flickr

 

You will love the upgrade to the 15 STi wheel. One of my favorite mods.

I particularly dislike 3-spoke steering wheels. Know of any 4-spoke wheel that will work?

 

Yup, that does look amazing. I am sure the slightly smaller diameter improves feel as well due to less leverage.

 

Cars101.com identifies your XT premium wheel as being leather.

LEATHER WHEEL

VINYL WHEEL

2015 Subaru Forester research webpage

 

Yeah I did a lot of research on that site. However, a lot of the photos online are misleading. For instance, pretty much every XT Premium photo from journalists includes the nav and climate control. Apparently they were given a 'special' XT Premium version which included those non-standard options. This is completely bogus as it led me to believe Premium would have automatic climate which it does not (you have to dig through Subaru site to realize this).

I am attaching a screenshot from the Subaru site which shows that XT Premium does not have a leather wrapped wheel. It's wrapped in something - just not leather. Either that, or the Subaru specs are wrong (why would they be?).

 

I trust cars101... he is a dealership salesman, so he knows his stuff better than the press who are given special models.