Some of the benefits you have listed for the Lexus are just that, luxury items. However; when trying to get a vehicle without leather with children, I think, is a bad move. At first, I never wanted leather as well. Then my daughter came along and we ended up getting our first SUV. We bought a used Durango. But the one that had the options (not including leather) was the one that had the leather interior. I found our be comparing that SUV with my wife car (cloth interior) the SUV was much easier to clean. Ever try to clean spit-up milk on a cloth seat? Not pretty. With Leather, it just wipes up/off. This alone may be one factor why you might want to get your next vehicle with a leather interior. I know I will never (as long as I can help it) buy another vehicle without leather. Also, from what I've seen and what friends have told me from their experiences, the HiHy's cloth interior is hard to keep clean. My wife's mother has a Prius and 2 HiHys. Another coworker has a gas Highlander. All have the same problems with trying to keep the interior clean.

Thanks,
Rich