What Is Hyundai H-Tex?

For decades, automakers have used synthetic leather to replace genuine animal leather. Hyundai more recently gave their product a name.

Connor Hoffman | 

May 6, 2024 | 2 min read

Hyundai

Automakers have replaced leather interiors and vinyl upholstery for years with more environmentally friendly materials. These cheaper synthetic materials don't use animal byproducts and are often made from cloth fibers covered in polyurethane.

Not only is it more affordable and easier to manufacture, gaining the durability of leather without the need to use an animal product is likely to make animal lovers happy. Some are even certified to be completely vegan.

These materials are meant to be a step up from cloth and are often positioned as an alternative to leather. Advances in manufacturing mean the materials can better mimic the feel and durability of cowhide.

Automakers have different names for their versions of vegan leather, from Toyota's Softex to Porsche's Race-Tex. Hyundai has previously used synthetic leather but only recently gave it the H-Tex name, debuting on the 2022 Ioniq 5 electric hatchback.

H-Tex Is Hyundai's Name for Vinyl Upholstery

Hyundai's H-Tex is the trademarked name for the automaker's synthetic leather seats, sometimes called leatherette. H-Tex is polyvinyl chloride compounded with proprietary materials to give it the look and feel of animal leather.

This substitution of synthetic material for the organic equivalent is not unusual for Hyundai. In the Ioniq 6 electric sedan, for example, Hyundai uses recycled polyethylene terephthalate fabric on the seats, bio thermoplastic polyolefin on the dash, and other recycled materials on the doors, carpet, and exterior paint.

Hyundai

H-Tex Has Many Leather-Like Qualities

H-Tex is designed to look and feel like genuine leather. The faux leather material is nearly as soft as the genuine article and is much easier to clean and maintain. It won't crack as easily as natural leather, so you don't have to condition or take special care of it. Just take a soft cloth and some spray interior detailer to clean.

H-Tex is significantly cheaper than genuine leather, but it's usually reserved for Hyundai's more mid-grade models. For example, on the Hyundai Palisade three-row SUV, H-Tex is a step up from cloth seats on the base model and comes standard on the mid-grade SEL and XRT trims. You'll get leather-trimmed seats if you step up to the Limited and full premium nappa leather seats on the fully loaded Calligraphy model. On the Ioniq 5, only the top Limited trim is available with H-Tex seats.

Using vegan synthetic materials such as H-Tex on seating and other cabin surfaces also allows animal lovers to get some of the benefits of traditional leather without having to opt for cow hide.

Connor Hoffman

Connor Hoffman is a writer and editor based in Kansas City. Prior to becoming a freelance writer, he was an editor at a national car magazine and worked in communications at a major automaker. He loves off-roading and camping in his 4Runner, golfing (poorly), and shredding on his mountain bike.