I was just checking out an interior shot of the 2001 LS430. Why are wood steering wheels becoming popular? I would rather touch soft leather all day, than plastic coated wood. It seems like its more for asthetics, but when driving I would think, most would prefer the feel of leather.

it's not plastic coated wood, it's real with a great finish to it. leather gets REALLY got in the summer, or whenever it's warm or the car is in the sun. so when you go to grip it, it burns. my dad's new 2000 LS400 has a wood steering wheel like that in the LS430 and I think it feels really nice. I prefer i to to leather.

I beleive you, its just that all wood I see in car interiors requires a thick coating of plastic to prevent it from rotting out, so I have to wonder how lexus does it and still allows you to feel the grain of the wood. More interestingly, how do they shape it into a steering well cover?