I have been looking for a new leather sofa for a long time. I have done my homework.
Our current sofa is 15 years old. Leather "match" All parts that you touch is leather....Here are questions to ask because the sales people have absolutely no idea. The part between the cushions are "match" Not real leather. Our current sofa is all cracked and peeled between the cushions because that part is not leather. Sales people tell me it IS leather. Until I make them check.
Bonded leather I have been told is stronger than leather because the peices are bonded and pressed. THAT is what I was told. I want a leather sofa. The cushions on my sofa come off. AFter 15 years of on/off, sliding rubbing ... it is shot, cracked, peeled.
Maybe on a reclining sofa where many of the sofa cusions have a little space maybe the "match" won't rip.
As for Bonded leather, I have no experience with this, only what I have been told. By the same sales people that don't know the sides of cushions are not leather.