Defining a spectacular vehicle interior is subjective business. Different people like different things.
Some buyers think high-sheen piano black adds a unique touch of class, while others see a magnifying glass for annoying fingerprints. Some consumers can’t tolerate fuzzy rat-fur headliners, while others never look up. Some folks can’t survive without something to clutch their Red Bull, while driving enthusiasts view cupholders as frivolous.
As difficult as it is to identify the specific components that make up a world-class interior, there are many givens: Seams must be flush, seats must be comfortable, materials must be durable, information must be accessible, noise must be minimized, space must be ample and styling must make a statement.
The winners of the 2008 Ward’s Interior of the Year Awards check all of these boxes and more.
Ward’s editors served as judges for the competition, evaluating 36 vehicles in March and April. The pool consisted of completely new vehicles or existing models that received significant interior redesigns for ’08.
Ward’s Interior of the Year Awards
Economy-Priced Car ($16,999 and under)
Suzuki SX4 Sport
Finalists
- Chevrolet Aveo
- Ford Focus
- Scion xD
Popular-Priced Car ($17,000–$29,999)
Chevrolet Malibu
Finalists
- Honda Accord
- Hyundai Sonata
- Nissan Altima coupe
- Saturn Astra
- Scion xB
- Toyota Corolla
Premium-Priced Car ($30,000 and over)
Jaguar XF
Finalists
- Acura TSX
- Audi A5 3.2L S-Line
- Cadillac CTS
- Mercedes C300
- Volvo C30
Sports Car ($30,000 and over)
Audi TT coupe
Finalists
- BMW 135i
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evo GSR
- Pontiac G8
- Subaru WRX STI
Popular-Priced Truck ($34,999 and under)
Mazda5
Finalists
- Dodge Journey
- Ford Escape
- Nissan Murano
- Saturn Vue
- Subaru Forester
- Toyota Highlander
Premium-Priced Truck ($35,000 and over)
Chrysler Town & Country
Finalists
- Buick Enclave
- Infiniti EX35
- Lexus LX570
- Mazda CX-9
- Subaru Tribeca
- VW Touareg 2 V-8
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