We are trying to find a vehicle that can handle snow and has room for 5 adults. My wife suffers with sciatica and the driver seats are a problem. We have a 2019 Subaru Forester our 5th one, I have always liked them, the seats have very firm bolstering on the side of the cushions. The idea of leather seat having more give is in our heads but no research found.
Any recommendations would be apreciated.
Fabric or leather has very little to do with seat comfort. Seat comfort is such an individual feeling it is not likely anyone can say what vehicle will be comfortable for her. I guess the thing to do is for her to look at something and tell the salesman or woman she needs to set in the vehicle for long enough to see if it will work. You did not say new or used.
Our 2024 Subaru Outback Limited is confortable but that does not mean she will like it.
Heated and massaging seats could be helpful here, although of course cars with massaging seats tend to be expensive.
Is a new Forester no longer an option? Do you need 3 rows of seats?
I underwent surgery in 2017 for the crushing pain I was suffering from sciatica and I have a metal implant on my spine now that I joking say looks like the “solid axel and leave springs” from the front end of a '32 Ford… And since the surgery, I have not had an issue since…
Of possible help and support for your wife might be one of the many web sites that is populated by like folks who share their experiences and some of them might be able to offer some recommendation for vehicles that might be less stressful for her to ride in.
Here’s hoping for her best!
Check out the new forester, maybe a higher trim. Mom has back problems that tell her very shortly if a seat is going to work or not. Had to try a few to figure out what works. But then our dealer network is all in an auto mall where you can drive cars back to back. Might be worth a satirday test driving or at least sitting in a few vehicles. We’re looking eventually at a hybrid Crosstrek since mom’s sat in one enough to consider it. Just no rush to replace her almost 17yr old car yet.
We have a Honda Pilot with AWD. The seats in it are very comfortable, and I can speak from recent experience that it handles snow very well. It’s a little bigger than your Subaru.
I agree, if all other factors are equal, no comfort difference between cloth and leather.
If you like your previous Foresters, why not try a 2026?
+1
And, the old argument that leather seats are colder in the winter is negated by the presence of seat heaters. Heated seats (and the heated steering wheel) are among the features that I really like to have.
Then, there is the argument that leather seats are hotter in the summer. My current vehicle also has fan-cooled seats, and that feature really adds to one’s comfort on a hot day. After taking a sweaty hike, it’s really nice to be able to sit on those seats.
If sciatica is the main concern, I would focus less on cloth vs leather and more on seat shape and adjustability, since the foam and support matter most. Look for models with power seats and adjustable lumbar. Since you are familiar with Subaru, it may be worth trying the Subaru Outback or Subaru Ascent and also cross shopping something like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 with AWD for snow. I would suggest sitting in each one for a good 20 minutes at the dealer to really see how her back feels before deciding.
Good suggestion. If you like the basic car but not the seats, look at higher trim options that may have higher quality seats with more comfort options.
Ironically, some of the most comfortable seats in my collection are in my truck. Everyone comments on how comfortable they are and wants to take it when we go somewhere. It’s a hike up to get inside however. You have to plan your footing on the bar to seat transition 
+1000. Even better than heated seats IMO.
I have to go along with this wholeheartedly… I am not recommending a truck, but my Dodge Ram truck came with 6-way adjustable leather seats with lumbar support (an air bladder that adjusts to provide support to the lower back…). So, you might want to consider vehicles with seats that do more than slide back and forth…