‘21 Tahoe Leather Seat Split

[WalleyeMikeIII]

I've been out of the business for a few years--but in my experience--most likely the seat has leather seating surfaces--so it's not completely leather. That side panel is probably vinyl and split from it constantly bending from your weight of getting in and out over the years,

This is a fact, on all the SUV models except the Denali and the Cadillacs, the only Leather is the center portion of the front row. Row 2, 3, and all the side panels are Vinyl.
Denali got leather across the whole seating surface surface of the front and 2nd row seats, along with a better grade eather (full grain) is what they marketed it as.
Cadillac's got even better leather in the higher trims, and I think even possibly 3rd row leather on the higher trims. These were part of the "upgrades" for going to the higher priced units.

I have the light shale interior on my Denali. 33k miles, still looks factory new, and I wear jeans always. Once in a while, when I see the beginnigs of some jean dye getting on the seat, I take a damp microfiber cloth and wipe them down...the blue die gets soaked right into the cloth, and off the seats. Not sure what would happen if I left it there for a longer period, I never let that happen...takes about 5 min of maintenance once a week.

To the OP, looks like the whole seat cover is less than $200 on gm parts direct...maybe just order it up and swap it..can't be that hard to do. Link, just check the color and make sure you order the right one.

 

[GMCChevy]

My 2017 has a crack in the same spot. It's the crap vinyl GM used.

It's pretty much been the case for all leather interior cars that the only leather is the seating surfaces.

 

[Gearz]

I just replace the bottom seat cover on my 2011 Tahoe LTZ but it's common for this gen. Top wears great but the sides where the seat cracks is some type of leatherette. I do drag myself off the seat because I'm old. If you replace the seat bottom be sure to replace the foam because they usually tear on the clips plus they wear out.