Model 3 never had a leather steering wheel even from the beginning (as I understand it). It has always been vegan.
I have to say it, but I am a little bit happy that you didn't get the impression that the Model Y was materially quieter. I have an October 2018 Model 3 (Vin 110XXX) and while I love it, I have been thinking about upgrading to a Y - partially for the increased room in the back and the ability to take hockey sticks and skis inside the car without folding down one of the rear seats, but secretly, because the 3 is just noisy on the highway. Tire noise, some wind noise, just noisy. Not in a terrible way, but not as quiet as I would like.