The hard plastic on doors is nothing new and can be found on just about any mass produced car these days, just some will take that panel and cover it with leather or vinyl, but still most do a textured plastic. It is the texture, appearance, and overall quality of the plastic itself that I look at and compare. I hate when manufactures try and mimic a high end appearance, such as leather, by molding it on a plastic door. The faux leather door and dash that is nothing more than hard plastic. This was found on my focus zx3. However, looking at the ST, the A-pillar plastic has a unique look and feel. The door panels, although a hard plastic, IMO is textured well and does not try and "fool" you into thinking it is something it is not. The same can be said on the rest of the trim of the car. My ONLY complaint are the door handles on the arm rest. To me, that is the only part that I wish was a little more substantial. It just feels too thin, like one good yank and it will break away from the panel.
For me, I prefer longevity and quality. I am not fooled by half ass attempts to make something "luxury" only to have it last just as long as the cheap stuff. I have had cars that have had leather on door panels that peel away, or arm rests that crack or have a huge divot from constant use and leather seats cracking at the seams. I guess my point is, while luxury and high end is nice, things just are NOT built like they used to be. If anyone were to look 10 years down the road your interior will probably look the same with no cracking, peeling, fading, etc. as it did from day one. This is of course assuming regular care and cleaning is done. While the same can be said with really good high-end interior you have to baby it a little more than ours.
For me, I prefer longevity and quality. I am not fooled by half ass attempts to make something "luxury" only to have it last just as long as the cheap stuff. I have had cars that have had leather on door panels that peel away, or arm rests that crack or have a huge divot from constant use and leather seats cracking at the seams. I guess my point is, while luxury and high end is nice, things just are NOT built like they used to be. If anyone were to look 10 years down the road your interior will probably look the same with no cracking, peeling, fading, etc. as it did from day one. This is of course assuming regular care and cleaning is done. While the same can be said with really good high-end interior you have to baby it a little more than ours.