What Is Subaru’s StarTex Seat Material?

Stepping into a Subaru with StarTex feels like sliding into your wet suit — minus the chilly ocean splash. This synthetic polyurethane material debuted on the 2020 Subaru Outback to appeal to the kind of people who reality-check their car’s interior after muddy hikes or spilled sports drinks. Now it’s available on newer models including the capable Forester Wilderness and the Solterra, the first all-electric from Subaru. It’s vegan-friendly, made with recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) backing. That means no leather stains, and no coffee-spill or dog-puke drama that blends into fabric forever.

StarTex is tough and waterproof, two of its best features. Perfect for outdoorsy folks who say, “Let’s hit the trail in the Crosstrek and go kayaking in the lake.” And yes, Reddit users often compare it to wet-suit feel: flexible, grippy, and quick-dry. Owners rave that when they beat up the seats with the elements, it wipes clean immediately. Its breathability and outdoor resilience, especially in sunlight and heat, are highly noted, too. It’s far more durable than leather, cloth, or vinyl, even after repeated cleanings. It’s softer to touch than expected, without the plastic feel. And compared to leatherette, StarTex doesn’t stink, doesn’t crack, and doesn’t stain if you actually drive through the real world, not just look in the showroom.

Subaru owners don’t just drive — they haul kids, carry dogs, tow kayaks, and roam where pavement ends. Traditional leather or cloth interiors don’t cut it for this kind of life. That’s where StarTex comes in. A clear edge over leather or cloth, it’s tooled for outdoor payload.

Subaru aimed to strike a balance: a seat material that looks like leather, but behaves like gear you’d wear to wakeboard. StarTex is basically faux leather, crafted through chemical processes that don’t suck. No more slaughtering for hides, which makes our bovine friends so happy. It’s water-repellent, easy to clean with soap, and skips the nasty stuff like polyvinyl chloride and chlorine that you’ll find in other vinyl seats. The backing? Made from 25% recycled PET — yes, like the water bottles. 

Owners on Forester forums confirm that heat retention is minimal, and comfort remains even after hours in the sun. Others note that StarTex feels plush but not plasticky — almost soft, like neoprene. Compared to generic vinyl seats, this material breathes and flexes, meaning fewer cracks, less sticking, and better temperature control. And it’s lighter, too, than leather counterparts. In essence, Subaru crafted StarTex to match its brand identity — more utility, less worry, whole lot of real-world proof. With this innovation, Subaru seems like a contender for the best car interiors of all time. 

If you came here for leather-level luxury, you might walk away wanting more comfort. But that’s kind of missing the point. StarTex isn’t trying to fool you. Years after its invention, it has proven to shrug off elements like beach sand, dog paws, grape juice, and weather without a struggle. Best suited for people with active or outdoorsy lifestyles, it keeps improving. 

Long-term owners report no staining, minimal wear, and fast cleanup after spills — things that are rare with cloth or leather interiors. It feels and looks like real leather. It can trap heat briefly in direct sunlight, but nothing like leather’s sun-scorch or vinyl’s melting plastic smell. Owners confirm StarTex stands up better than other synthetics after repeated washing. It still looks prime even after active use on trail runs.  

Despite all these advantages, please clean those seats once in a while. Dirt might not stick, but smells do eventually. Still, if you’re more messy than prim, StarTex is less seat, more wet suit: slips on, does the job, and won’t complain if it gets wet.