A method of manufacturing a composite interbody device is provided, comprising:assembling superior and inferior endplates:wherein the surface features increase surface area of the bone interface layer, to optimize contact with bone at an implant site; andforming a porous core interface layer on the central barrier layer opposite the bone interface layer;diffusion bonding under heat and pressure the core interface layer with the central barrier layer and the bone interface layer coating the bone interface side with hydroxyapatite;placing the inferior and superior endplates in a mold, on each side of a core cavity, with the core interface layers facing the core cavity and the bone interface sides facing away from the cavity; andinjection-molding molten plastic into the core cavity, to form a plastic core between the endplates and bonded with core interface sides of the core interface layers;wherein molten plastic extrudes into pores of the core interface layers, to bond with the endplates.