Driving a car is hard enough, but driving with an uncomfortable steering wheel makes it even worse. I know the agony of filtering through the mountain of steering wheel options such as price, durability, maintenance requirements.
To help ease the frustration, here are the results from a poll that explored the different types of steering wheel choices and what they have to offer.
Let me help you sleep easy tonight. Read up and find the best steering wheel to suit your needs.
Table of Contents
Is a Wood a Better Material Than Leather?
47% of the car drivers stated that Leather steering wheels were the best overall. While 35% selected wood steering wheels. 12% of drivers preferred a steering wheel that combined wood and leather and 6% had no preference.
A poll was created to gather information on what was considered the best steering wheel. There was so much information that I included all of the reasons for the opinions in the sections below.
This was a personal study, but it was nice to hear the opinions and experiences of people who use the steering wheels.
Enjoy!
Are Wood Steering Wheels Cheaper Than Leather ?
Steering wheels constructed from natural woods such as mahogany or walnut cost $300 – $400 because of the limited supply of wood and the involvement of hand craftsmanship. A pure leather steering cost $150 – $360. Woodgrain steering wheels uses cheaper parts and cost $100 – $250.
Natural Wood Steering Wheel
Natural wood steering wheels are arts of hand craftsmanship. Companies such as Nardi still handcraft these wheels, and it’s a thing of beauty.
Here…you have to watch this video on the craftmanship of a pure wooden steering wheel.
Whew…! Gave me goosebumps.
I have no idea whats he’s saying…but that’s my point. You don’t have to understand to recognize the amount of work put into a pure wood steering wheel.
But I did use captions the second and third time I watched the video.
Nardi has some of the highest quality wood steering wheels. Nothing but the finest mahogany is used.
And there is a hefty price tag to go with it.
But hey, You get what you pay for!
Leather Steering Wheel
I have been talking about the price of leather steering wheels in several comparison posts. Leather steering wheel prices typically fall in the range of $150 – $360.
But if you want more information on the price of leather steering wheels, I wrote a post with specifics prices of leather steering wheel prices.
Wood Grain Steering Wheel
I have nothing against wood grain steering wheels, but the price falls in the lowest category.
Woodgrain (fake wood) steering wheels are typically found in sports cars and high-up luxury cars. Woodgrain imitates real wood by wrapping a wood pattern over a plastic wheel.
Cheaper materials warrant a lower price. There are some wood grain steering wheels for under $100.
But remember…you get what you pay for!
Is Wood Steering Wheel Better For Extreme Temperatures?
The temperature was a significant issue that came up in our discussion on wood vs. leather steering wheels.
Wooden steering wheels tend to heat up quickly when placed in direct sunlight or under the sunlight for a long time. Temperature is a significant factor that will affect the steering wheel’s grip on your hand, as well as its durability.
Wood or Leather: Which Steering Wheel Has the Best Grip?
Leather wins in the category of best grip.
Wooden steering wheels get slippery when wet due to their smooth finish.
Let’s face it. Your hands are going to sweat. And it’s going to be worse if your palms are loaded with lotions or oils. Sweaty wet hands on a lacquer finish will result in some slippage.
It’s not the end of the world, but you will have to readjust your grip to maintain control occasionally. You could wear gloves, similar to the owners of suede or Alcantara steering wheels.
But I’m not sure about that look.
Leather steering wheels are going to give you a better grip….end of story.
Do Wood Steering Wheels Last Longer Than Leather?
The lifespan of a steering wheel can be directly attributable to its components, the materials used in manufacturing, and how they are put together.
If you were basing your decision solely on durability, this would be a tough one.
Wood and Leather steering wheel are comparable in durability. You can expect the steering wheel to last over 40,000 miles as long as you take care of it.
Woodend steering wheels will need to be cleaned, conditioned, and occasionally polished. And leather steering wheel will need to be cleaned and conditioned.
The only issue is surface damage. If you’re not careful, the rings on your hand could scratch up the finish on either type of wheel. This is not the case for steering wheels made from suede or Alcantara.
Is It Easier to Clean a Wood or Leather Steering Wheel?
Wooden steering wheels are coated with a lacquer finish for protection, but over time lotions, aftershave, grease, oil, or anything else that could possibly be transferred from your hand to the steering wheel will leave gunk.
The simplest way to clean the gunk is with mild soap and a lint-free cloth. Lotions or anything containing alcohol is terrible for lacquer surfaces.
And please, don’t use any general-purpose cleaners.
Leather steering wheels are just as easy to clean as wooden steering wheels.
I love saddle soap for cleaning all of my leather projects. But any mild soap would work. Just follow these steps:
- Mix a little soap and water to create a mild dilution.
- Dip a cloth into the dilution and wipe away the gunk.
- Finally, dry the lacquer with a lint-free cloth.
Leather Honey is another good line of products. Their products are free of harsh chemicals that could destroy your leather. And as a leather crafter, it is prevalent in my line of work.
But don’t take my word for it. Have a look at some of the reviews to see if it’s something that would work for you.
But if you like to stay away from soaps and chemicals, I have the perfect cleaner for you. I wrote an article on cleaning leather with homemade green wise solutions that I recommend you read.
Which Cars Come with Wood Steering Wheels?
Woodgrain steering wheels are popular in luxury car models.
The Mercedes Benz S Class, Audi A8, and BMW 7 series have wood grain steering wheels. Some high-end Japanese luxury cars like the Lexus LS 400 also have wood grain steering wheels.
Wood grain steering wheels are also pretty popular in class and show cars.
Leather steering wheels are available in cars of all price ranges.
Upmarket mainstream brands like Lexus and Acura have been offering leather steering wheels in their higher trim levels.
You can even get a leather-wrapped steering wheel on a Honda Accord!
So really, it comes down to personal preference.
Are Steering Wheels Made From Wood and Leather Any Good?
So what if you can’t decide on a wooden or leather steering wheel?
Should you get a wheel that combines both materials?
Combination steering wheels have also started to be very popular in the luxury car industry due to their soft feel and unique look.
I know some people have to like them or they wouldn’t be on the market. But almost everyone I came across seemed to hate them.
The most common reason for disliking a combination steering wheel was that it didn’t work well with extreme heat, and it was slippery on the hands.
I only sampled a small number of people. So take it for what it’s worth.
Most Popular Steering Wheel Comparisons
If you liked the comparison of wood and leather. Be sure to check out some of the other comparisons. You may just discover that another steering wheel is better for your car.
