Blogs.automag.com is starting to think that leather has lost “its luster”. There have been several vehicles come out with many options that makes leather look well…just uncomfortable.

“The Nissan Versa could hardly be cheaper (its starts at $13,255), but it has the interior of a much more expensive car. Space is generous and surfaces nicely padded, but a big part of luxury impression is the cloth upholstery, which Nissan describes as “suede/tricot” and which is, in fact, convincingly suede-like. Nice.”

Now this one Im a little hesitant until I see it for myself. “Suede-like” doesn’t make me really think luxury.

“Shortly after the Versa, I spent some time in a Mazda6 Sport Wagon. This was the base model, the Special Value Edition ($24,784 before options). The overall interior is a bit bland, particularly our dunked-in-gray example; black and beige interiors also are available. Again, however, I was impressed with the upholstery, a plush, nice-feeling cloth. Unfortunately, Mazda is dropping this sporty-driving wagon for 2008, so rush out and get yours now.”

Now with this one, I’m sorry I don’t care how “luxurious” the upholstery is, you can’t cover up the blandness of the interior.

“The very next week, it was the Mitsubishi Outlander’s turn to surprise. We had a mid-level LS model ($24,420, with 4WD) in the office. Although the cabin has its fair share of hard plastic, it also wears some handsome cloth upholstery, “Sport cloth,” in Mitsubishi-speak. Standard on all trim levels, it’s available in black or beige. The Outlander also gets a thumbs-up for its back seat, which is set well higher than the fronts, slides forward and back, and also reclines. Our example also boasted a DVD player, a $1150 option, but was missing the available third-row seat.”

Personally, it is just too early to decide if leather is out or not. What do you think? Is leather replaced?