Every year, Ward’s Automotive has its editorial staff pick out the best interior of any new or significantly improved car. This year they picked out their 10 Best Interiors from a total of 46 cars “that were all-new or sported interiors that have been significantly upgraded” for 2013, with Asian brands taking 7 top spots, and American marques occupying the remaining three positions.
Keep in mind that the cars are thoroughly tested, and used by the magazine’s staff for their daily commute. The interiors are scored for a number of different and varying categories, in the interest of fairness.
“This year’s batch of winners really drives home the point that auto interiors are vital in the battle for consumers’ hearts and minds,” said WardsAuto World Editor-in-Chief, Drew Winter.
He added: “It wasn’t uncommon all that long ago for auto makers to view interiors as the best place to take cost out of a vehicle program. They eventually figured out that’s a big mistake because people spend a lot more time looking at the inside of their car than the outside.”
So, without further ado, here are this year’s 10 winners in alphabetical order:
By Andrei Nedelea
Acura RDX
It seems that the Ward’s staff really grew to like Acura’s new RDX, the interior of which, they say, perfectly illustrates why the Japanese brand outsold Audi, Cadillac, Infiniti and Volvo in the US, in 2012. The editors also appreciated the extra dose of sportiness applied to the interior – I particularly like the small-looking steering wheel, which I should have included in our own recent selection of nice looking wheels.
Cadillac XTS
Next up is the Cadillac XTS sedan, which WardsAuto says, “earns its place with a thoroughly modern and intuitive HMI, the Cadillac User Experience, which can be voice-activated and integrates an adjustable head-up display that encourages drivers to keep their eyes on the road.” Curious is the fact that the reviewers actually liked the CUE system, which has been criticized by some other publications… Apparently, it’s a matter of personal taste.
Chevrolet Spark
The South Korean-built Chevy Spark was also chosen this year, and it made the list because it was “fun and functional.” Great equipment levels and a “Jalapeno Green” color scheme both inside and out seem to have been the decisive factors here.
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Hyundai made a big increase in quality and modernity inside their new Santa Fe Sport, which greets its passengers with an ambiance of high quality and restrained design. The editors say it’s “the essence of the midsize family CUV.”
Kia Forte
The Kia Forte gets a great interior for its price bracket, and it shows just how far compact cars have come. It proves that you can get good materials and be comfortable without having to shell out on something which costs $30,000 – the Forte is just over half that and widely acknowledged as a great all-round buy, for a variety of motoring needs.
Lexus GS450h
The Lexus GS is not here by accident. The premium Japanese automaker has a history of making good interiors, and if those found in Lexus of old were sometimes a bit too cluttered, step inside the new GS or IS and the story is different. WardAuto said it was “the most visually stunning” of the bunch, and I’m inclined to agree.
Mazda6
The Mazda6 stood out thanks to its solid build, good infotainment system and clever use of textures, contrasts and colors. While its interior may not be the most modern thing you’ve ever laid your eyes on, it is simple, and surprisingly uncluttered, when compared to some of the brand’s older offerings.
Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder CUV is seen as a considerable step up in interior ambiance, over the truck-based SUV it replaces. It can seat seven, and the third row can be easily stowed away, when more carrying capacity is required.
Ram 1500 “Laramie Longhorn”
The only pickup truck that made it into the top ten is the Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn. The magazine says it deserves it thanks to its “spectacular, emotive interior that sets a high standard other auto makers will be hard-pressed to emulate.” The publication also highlights the “high-quality matte-finish wood trim” and the buckled saddlebags attached to the seat backs that “hearken back to the pony express”. The editors seemed so impressed with it, that they even went as far as to call its interior fit for a “Bentley pickup…”
Toyota Avalon
The usual solid build and good materials are traits present inside the new 2013 Toyota Avalon, and being a full-size sedan, there’s also a bit of luxury thrown into the mix. In fact, Ward’s said it was the “most luxurious non-luxury car” they tested.