This has been going on for quite a while in all makes, Mercedes even uses vinyl as standard material, they call it MB Tex or something like that. My suburban was the same way as the expy, vinyl everywhere but the butt and back sections. That said, it appears the expy has a much higher quality material on the entire seat, time will tell. Ford also has a much better exterior paint, noticed that on my 98 expy also. Lets hope the expy proves as bulletproof as the suburban!