That carbon effect faux leather material is what's on mine too but below that I have some elasticated material connecting it to the plastic base. I have all leather seats so found it strange that part wasn't leather until I read about the sides ripping as they have no give. Maybe the all leather made the issue even worse so they had to have this elasticated side?There is a soft almost faux leather material that has been embossed to look like carbon effect. I am concerned it might deteriorate over time but there is no plastic that I can see. The suede is very soft and warm and no creaking, and the leather bolsters on the side are much stiffer than the standard leather seats. I can get a pic of one later today.