Ward's 10 Best Interiors (2013) released, Asian automakers take 7 of 10 spots

Interiors Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/wards...photo-5813259/

Step inside just about any new car these days and you'll quickly see that vehicle interiors have become a pretty nice place to spend some time in. For the third consecutive year, WardsAuto sat in each and every new vehicle that had received redesigned or updated interiors, and it has now named its 10 Best Interiors.

Judges look at everything from design and fit-and-finish to comfort, safety and technology. Some of the standout selections include budget cars like the Chevrolet Spark and Kia Forte all the way up to more expensive sedans like the $60,000+ Cadillac XTS and Lexus GS450h. An interesting note here is that WardsAuto praises Cadillac for its CUE infotainment system while Consumer Reports generally lambasts the system. Asian automakers definitely won the contest for nicest interiors as the list is comprised of five Japanese automakers and two South Korean, with Toyota and General Motors in a dead heat with the most number of cars on the list with two each.

• Acura RDX
• Cadillac XTS
• Chevrolet Spark
• Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
• Kia Forte
• Lexus GS450h
• Mazda6
• Nissan Pathfinder
• Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
• Toyota Avalon

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/w...-take-7-of-10/

 

Well done Lexus GS450h!! Well deserved

 

Love that bamboo interior...

 

Not a Euro in sight

 

Well deserved for the GSh and Avalon! The XTS interior is also nice, although the new CTS already surpasses it. And I also like the Mazda 6 interior. There are a couple of questionable choices there though...

I personally can't wait for the GS-F and the GS exterior facelift that will come with it. The exterior is hot, but there are details that can be touched up. The interior on the other hand is perfect.

 

Go GSh! That bamboo is stunning and the craftsmanship is top notch

 

Euro brands have been cost-cutting and and cheapening on interiors way too much.

While I don't agree with everything on this list (as there are some very questionable additions), the GS interior being on the list is VERY well deserved. The GS has IMHO a best in class interior at the moment.

 

They're not the only ones. Lexus is a mixed bag. Here we have the wonderful rich, posh and well appointed GS interior and in the other corner we have that pathetic excuse for a "luxury" car ES interior

 

What's funny, is the ES interior is nicer than the Avalon's. The Avalon's on the list, though. Then again, so is the Chevy Spark!

Flame on...

 

No need for flaming.

The list obviously merits not just material quality; but also design, ergonomics, and user friendliness.

 

Just in case it wasn't obvious, that was directed at Hoovey and his jealous "ex-lover" type remarks towards the ES's interior. He just can't seem to let it go.

 

There is a lot of back and forth on the ES forum on the quality (or lack of) of the interior on the new ES. Same thing happens with most new cars.

 

Asians are good on expensive car interiors.... now they have to become better on cheap cars as well... and somehow not compromise on mechanical durability? :-)

Lower Yen?

 

Engineering.

 

Not a single Audi?

Strange. Audi has a reputation for using some of the best interior materials in the buisness.

I agree, BTW, that the wood used in the new GS interior looks excellent. It would look right at home in a Audi.