Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Ward's selects the 10 best interiors of 2012

Gallery of award winning interiors:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/wards...photo-4965676/

Ward's AutoWorld is well known for its annual "10 Best Engines" list, but the trade publication has been compiling a second list for interiors for a few years now. Formerly known as the "Interior of the Year" competition, Ward's rebranded the list last year, naming the coolest cockpits under the "10 Best Interiors" moniker.

This year's winners are a relatively diverse lot, with hatchbacks, sedans and crossovers all making the list. While Ward's lists them in alphabetical order rather than crowning a single winner, we're choosing to present them with the lowest as-tested MSRP first:

Hyundai Accent ($15,925)
Chevrolet Sonic ($18,745)
Dodge Dart ($21,485)
Volkswagen Beetle ($25,195)
Mazda CX-5 ($30,415)
Hyundai Azera ($36,875)
Chrysler 300 Luxury ($44,855)
Range Rover Evoque ($49,745)
Infiniti JX35 ($54,800)
Audi A7 ($67,430)

The first thing we noticed then is that while fully half the models carrying base sticker prices under $25,000, Ward's was clearly not testing the base models of any of these vehicles. The Chevy Sonic, for instance, starts nearly $5,000 below the price of the car Ward's drove. Even so, that half of the cars on the list could be legitimately called "affordable" is impressive.

Ward's says 40 vehicles qualified for the competition by having "new or significantly improved interiors," and while 13 of those were luxury vehicles, they only made up half of the winners. Ward's says it judged the interiors based on design, fit-and-finish, comfort, ergonomics, safety, material selection, overall value, aesthetics, and human-machine interface.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/w...riors-of-2012/

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

!!!!!!!!!! No GS350 on the list.

theanimala

I really have to stop off at the dealer to take a look at the GS350 interior in person, because to me it does not look that nice at all. Retro without the really wiz bang nice features, but yet the magazines say it is quiet nice. I assume it's one of those you have to see in person. The same way the Hyundai Genesis looks semi nice in photos, but in person feels very cheap to me.

ydooby

I think that's most likely because the new GS350 is of model year 2013.

LexFather

Toys4RJill

You should check out the GS350 in person. Its great, materials are top notch and the design is really good. Everything is done right. The seats are incredible.

The only fault in the new GS350 is the extensive use of lighterweight materials.

Overall, the new GS is the best interior ever so far for Lexus.

cino

iTrader: (1)

No Lexus, Jaguar, BMW, and MB interior. The list is a pure joke.

raptor22

seeing some of those interiors that made the list, i'd have to agree.

xsh0tya

Not sure who the judges were... but I will respectfully disagree...

T0ked

iTrader: (2)

Figuring they are talking about new or sig improved interiors, no Lexus should be on the list. Hoping with the new GS and ES, one of those makes it next time. and not being a fan of some of the cars on the list, I'm able to swallow my pride and admit that after sitting in a few of them at the auto show, i have no qualms about the list.

IS350jet

Exactly!!!!! I've never agreed with Ward's interior list. Ever since the Dodge Caliber made the list a couple of years ago, I knew cocaine had to play a part. Useless list. Garbage.

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

Sometimes Ward's gets it right...and sometimes they don't. I think this is a "don't" year.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

i lol'ed

mmarshall

Agreed. I don't now how any serious car reviewer can consider the Caliber (or its brother Jeep Compass) a good interior. But, to be fair, there has been at least some upgrade in these two interiors the last couple of years as Chrysler seeks to improve the qualty and image of their vehicles.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

When a deer decided to jump in front of my car a year ago, I was given a Caliber loaner. After a week I couldn't stand it, and took it back for another car a Cobalt which while not leaps and bounds better, drove and seemed better put together. Almost cried when I got my car back, I missed her