There are plenty of ways to reduce your reliance on animal-based products.
For cars, that mostly applies to leather used in upholstery and trim pieces, but can also cover materials like mohair used in some convertible tops. Here are 10 great vegan-friendly cars that go the extra mile to eliminate leather, fur and other animal products.
Once you've chosen your favourite, browse Motorpoint's choice of used cars for sale to find out how much you could save.
Fiat 500 Electric
Between its small size, EV powertrain and animal-free interior, the dinky Fiat 500 Electric is all about minimising its impact. Big discounts on nearly new models also mean this battery-powered city car will only have a small impact on your wallet. You'll find artificial 'eco-leather' upholstery and trim covers on higher-spec versions – partly made from old fishing nets – while models lower in the range still get a selection of tasteful cloth finishes.
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Polestar 4
Polestar – along with sister brand Volvo – takes sustainability seriously. On the recent Polestar 4 – the company's Tesla Model Y rival – you have the option of 'Bio-attributed MicroTech' upholstery. This is a vinyl-style material made from organic sources built on a base made from recycled polyester. In practice, it looks and feels like smooth leather with little-to-no obvious grain pattern, and Polestar promises it's both soft and resilient. Beyond the Polestar 4, you can try out the more affordable Polestar 2 with its denim-like WeaveTech upholstery.
Browse used Polestar 4 cars or read our Polestar reviews
Tesla Model Y
Tesla swapped over to using fully artificial leather in 2019, after having offered it as an option for a while. This upholstery is standard too, as are heated front seats with power-adjustment for the driver, so you can enjoy your animal-free experience in comfort. Of course, Teslas are also some of the most accomplished EVs on the roads, so driving one means you're reducing your exhaust emissions at the same time.
Search used Tesla Model Y cars or read our Tesla Model Y review
Citroen C3
The Citroen C3 is no longer a softly sprung hatchback, but now a chunky little SUV. You have a choice of turbo petrol power under the bonnet, or a sensibly sized 44kWh battery under the floor, with the latter managing 198 exhaust-free miles to a charge. Regardless of how the wheels are spun, however, all cars come with artificial leather trim panels, with top-spec Max cars extending this to the seats too.
View used Citroen cars or read our Citroen reviews
BMW 5 Series
BMW is moving most models over to vegan interiors, with the latest 5 Series being the first car to fully remove animal products. In place of the standard leather older cars received, the new one gets 'Veganza' artificial leather. The name might be a bit silly, but it feels just as nice as the real thing – you probably wouldn't spot the difference unless someone pointed it out to you. You'll also find Veganza fitted to battery-powered BMW i5s.
Search used BMW 5 Series or electric BMW i5 cars, or read our BMW 5 Series review
BYD Sealion 7
BYD has already made a strong impression on UK roads with a selection of well-built, well-equipped and – more importantly – well-priced cars. The Sealion 7 is its most impressive effort yet, with luxury features, a comfy ride and effortless performance that's more than a match for rivals from Tesla and Kia. Entry-level Comfort and mid-range Design trim both come with vegan leather upholstery, while real leather is reserved for range-topping Excellence versions.
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Ford Mustang Mach-E
When it launched, the Mach-E caused a stir by being a more environmentally friendly take on the red-blooded Ford Mustang. It doesn't stop at swapping the petrol engine out for a swift electric setup, but also outfits every model in the range with 'Sensico' artificial suede upholstery, both on the seats and interior trim. That's where the car's tree-hugging attitude ends, however, as it's sportier to drive than you might expect.
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Dacia Duster
The Dacia Duster has long enjoyed a reputation for affordability, but the latest version has worked hard to be more environmentally friendly. Exterior body parts are made from a recycled plastic material called 'Starkle' and, if you pick Extreme trim, you'll get interior and seat upholstery made from 'TEP MicroCloud'. This is an artificial fabric derived from algae that's also fully washable.
Browse used Dacia Duster cars or read our Dacia Duster review
Kia EV9
Kia's EV9 is a big car that commands a big price tag but, sit inside, and you'll agree it's worth every single penny. The luxurious, stylish interior is decked out in textiles made from recycled and plant-based materials. You'll also find vegan leather upholstery on the seats – something Kia has committed to introducing across its lineup. The biggest-battery version can manage up to 349 miles on a full charge, with no exhaust emissions.
Shop used Kia cars or read our Kia EV9 review
Smart #1
The Smart Hashtag One might have a name that raises eyebrows, but this battery-powered small SUV has a long list of talents. Premium-trimmed cars have 'duo-leather' upholstery on their seats, which is a combination of vegan leather and man-made suede. That's on top of the company's existing sustainability efforts that've brought 130kg of recycled steel and 40kg of recycled aluminium to the car's chassis.
Check out used Smart cars for sale
Save on your next vegan-friendly vehicle
Save thousands by shopping nearly new and used cars for sale at Motorpoint. For more ways to drive while being kinder to the environment, read our list of the best electric cars on sale.
