Germans Shut Out In The 2013 Ward's 10 Best Interiors List

WardsAuto editors selected the top passenger compartments after spending February and March evaluating 46 vehicles that were all-new or sported interiors that have been significantly upgraded. The winners will be recognized during a special ceremony at the WardsAuto Interiors Conference being held May 22 at The Henry hotel in Dearborn, MI.

This year's winners:

• Acura RDX (Honda Motor Co. Ltd.)
• Cadillac XTS (General Motors Co.)
• Chevrolet Spark (General Motors Co.)
• Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd.)
• Kia Forte (Kia Motors Corp.)
• Lexus GS 450h (Toyota Motor Corp.)
• Mazda6 (Mazda Motor Corp.)
• Nissan Pathfinder (Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.)
• Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn (Chrysler Group LLC)
• Toyota Avalon (Toyota Motor Corp.)

To determine the winners, editors drive the vehicles during their routine commutes and submit score sheets ranking each auto interior based on several criteria, including materials, ergonomics, comfort, safety, value, fit-and-finish and overall design. Scores also are applied based on the user-friendliness of the human-machine interface and the ability to link mobile phones and access vehicle information. Video reviews and photo galleries of evaluated vehicles may be found at http://wardsauto.com, and full write-ups on each winner will post on April 29.

"This year's batch of winners really drives home the point that auto interiors are vital in the battle for consumers' hearts and minds," says WardsAuto World Editor-in-Chief, Drew Winter . "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."

In addition to the awards being presented in a ceremony during the WardsAuto Interiors Conference, Ward's expects to have all ten winning vehicles on display at the event for attendees to experience and judge the interiors for themselves. The ceremony will include a live video review inside each vehicle, highlighting the key features that earned each interior its honor. Registration information for the conference is at http://autointeriors.com.

Lexus - 4/15/2013 2:12:52 PM

+4 Boost

So Ward's has a Kia, Hyundai and a Chevrolet Spark on the list for best interior but no Audi, MB or Bentley? IMAO........ I am sorry but Ward's just lost all of their credibility with me. How can they not have Audi or MB on the list?

This two brands easily has the best if not one of the best interior designs in it class from start to finish and this is coming for Lexus fan. LAME.......

USNA1999 - 4/15/2013 2:32:37 PM

0 Boost

I am with you, the only car from their selection that I would agree on having a great interior would be the Lexus GS 450h. And talking about Lexus, for the hardcore fans, I will be dropping of my 2009 LS this afternoon at Lexus of Jacksonville in Atlantic Blvd. to get the alternator replaced (service quote $1200). So much for the "best" quality and reliability.

Firewombat - 4/15/2013 3:42:36 PM

0 Boost

You're probably too young to understand this @cleveland but a warranty and a service / maintenance plan are 2 different things

USNA1999 - 4/15/2013 5:23:22 PM

-4 Boost

ClevelandSteamer not with 96K miles on it.

Firewombat - 4/16/2013 10:57:06 AM

-1 Boost

@Cleveland, stop being so aggressive because you're really showing your age.

I can't actually believe that you are trying to huff and puff your way out of another situation where you made a stupid statement and you're clearly wrong and now backtracking, using a BMW example for a lexus?

He stated clearly that that the car has 96k miles on it, so how does that fall into a standard service contract?

Just admit that you actually thought he should claim this from his warranty because it was a 4 yo car and that's because you've never owned a car.

You really need to start reading-up on things before commenting because you're embarrassing yourself. If you look up "warranty" and "service plan" you'll understand. Young people are most welcome here but if you're going to get into arguments you must first do your homework. :)

USNA1999 - 4/16/2013 11:31:25 AM

-1 Boost

Clevelandsteamer I just got off the phone (11:20 am EST) with Lexus of Jacksonville and the alternator is NOT covered under warranty on a 2009 Lexus LS with 96K miles. How are you coming up with this? You are full of it! You are just a hater.

USNA1999 - 4/16/2013 11:37:48 AM

-4 Boost

And YES I am honestly complaining about a car's quality which I racked up almost 100k miles in less than 4 years because because I have owned a VW Passat, Honda Accord, Honda Civic and a MB C230, drove over 100K on each in an average of 4 to 5 years while in the Navy moving coast to coast from Florida, South Carolina, Rhode Island, California, Rhode Island and even Bahrain. They all had their issues but they are all cost under $30K.

Firewombat - 4/16/2013 4:13:15 PM

-1 Boost

LOL, @cleveland is suddenly blind too! I'm not lexsucks but we've both been longer than you, and of you read our posts I think you'll realise we are almost completely different.


Funny how you, when faced with an decent argument based on facts, you never counter, you only bash profiles based on what you belive how biased they are.

Can't wait until I can prove you wrong again, as I have, in front of everyone TWICE now, I will keep exposing you as someone who doesn't understand cars, lies, makes-up figures, all to look superior and yet everyone here thinks you're a naive troll.

Firewombat - 4/17/2013 3:28:00 AM

-1 Boost

Again, no facts or figures, just a personal attack again, I've been here longer than you, not that it matters, you've just been here under different accounts after being banned. Shame.

LexSucks - 4/17/2013 8:58:07 PM

-4 Boost

Guess what? ClevelandSteamer has been banned again. LOL!!! FWIW he's been banned close to a dozen times here. This is so funny. I said to him that his new "ClevelandSteamer" account won't last 2 months without getting banned.

Mezger - 4/15/2013 3:27:08 PM

0 Boost

Its called: imagination. Here's an example:
I'm dropping off my 2013 Prius this afternoon at Imaginary Land. to get the batteries replaced (service quote $9000). So much for the "best" quality and reliability.
You see, in imaginary land anything is possible and Considering USNA1999 pasts anti-Japan comments- I'm not surprised

USNA1999 - 4/15/2013 5:35:34 PM

-1 Boost

Mezger I just changed my profile picture just for you. I get a kick out of proving losers like you wrong. Let me know if you want me to pose with the car since I have already proven a few losers on this board wrong a few times. I can also pose next to my wife's TOUAREG and my daughter's MINI. BTW I don't have any anti-Japan issues, I just want to prove that none of these cars are bullet proof like some of you would want to believe, I own the top of the line car from Lexus and had my share of issues with it. Granted I do drive the car many miles per year and harder than the average owner.

USNA1999 - 4/15/2013 5:55:43 PM

-1 Boost

Mezger I am also imagining that I graduated from the Naval Academy, have an MBA from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA, retired from the Navy as a Commander (Aviator). Work for AGN, live in JCP in St. Johns, Florida. Have been married for 20 years to my high school sweetheart and have one daughter currently is Asia as part of a Youth Exchange Program. Maybe this is really a dream.

USNA1999 - 4/15/2013 6:00:17 PM

-2 Boost

Since today is tax day, a $32K tax bill. Hopefully, I was imagining that one but my accountant stated that this one was for real. LoL!

Firewombat - 4/15/2013 3:41:50 PM

-1 Boost

You're probably too young to understand this @cleveland but a warranty and a service / maintenance plan are 2 different things

Firewombat - 4/16/2013 11:01:24 AM

-1 Boost

Why, because I pointed out you being wrong again and now you're throwing a tantrum? Shame.

Firewombat - 4/16/2013 4:17:14 PM

-1 Boost

Again, you don't understand what a warranty is, please use a dictionary.

And the first time I proved you wrong was when you stated an IS350 had the some 0-60 time as a 335i, you tried to lie your way out of that too, just like this scenario.

Firewombat - 4/17/2013 6:56:52 AM

0 Boost

No, you obviously don't, you're still talking about a service plan vs a warranty, really, just look it up then we won't have to sit through your tantrums.

Firewombat - 4/15/2013 3:57:06 PM

-1 Boost

This list is a shame. The Cadillac cue system has been lambasted by every major American motoring magazine and somehow, even taking that into account, it's "quality" and design override that that? The Acura RDX? Are.you.kidding.me?

There are about 3 cars there I would consider, not necessarily have, in a top 10, Toyota Avalon being one of them. They did a good job with that interior.

The rest, compared to other brands, suck. And no, I don't think MB should be in there, they're only catching up to Audi and BMW now, current c-class being an example. Wards joins the list of almost ran in terms of credibility.

Firewombat - 4/16/2013 10:59:34 AM

-2 Boost

@Cleveland, insecure much? If you don't have anything constructive to say then go back to Edmunds, unless they banned you again?

Firewombat - 4/16/2013 4:19:49 PM

-2 Boost

No point in responding, he thinks a warranty is a maintenance plan just like he thought 5.1 secs and 5.6 secs both equaled an average on 5.9 secs... in his mind... worrying

lexworld - 4/15/2013 6:02:28 PM

+2 Boost

Now that you've had the experience of owing Lexuses flagship, get rid of it and drive any of your other Euros and let us know how well they hold up under the same daily hard driving conditions.

So strange that a person who drives a late model Lexus LS460 flagship wants us to actually know that the alternator of all things just went out on him. When you find out about just how much demand is actually on any alternator of any brand or type let us know will ya. Give me a break. Somebody talk to this guy.

USNA1999 - 4/15/2013 6:12:00 PM

-2 Boost

Talk to me about what? Not sure what your point is but mine was to show you guys that this car is not perfect. BTW I owned a MB C230 Kompressor sedan before this car and yes it also had a few issues. The most expensive came to $3,500 when one of the cylinders lost compression.
Why should I get rid of it when I have it paid, if I do I am thinking about a GS350 among some "Euros". BTW how much demand is actually on any alternator of any brand or type? I don't even know what that means since I am not a mechanic, I just call the shop and have them repair it.

USNA1999 - 4/15/2013 6:33:36 PM

-3 Boost

Oh, I get it. I am supposed to hide these issues so people think this car never breaks. LoL!

USNA1999 - 4/16/2013 11:24:02 AM

-4 Boost

Clevelandsteamer I just got off the phone (11:20 am EST) with Lexus of Jacksonville and the alternator is NOT covered under warranty on a 2009 Lexus LS. How are you coming up wit this? You are full of it! You are just a hater.

Mezger - 4/16/2013 4:12:11 AM

+2 Boost

Or maybe see a shrink?

USNA1999 - 4/16/2013 5:18:12 AM

-3 Boost

What happened? You still think I am imagining things? Some of you guys are just too funny, when challenge with the truth you just all hide. I don't have any reason to be lying about anything I say.

gatoreight - 4/16/2013 2:23:17 PM

+1 Boost

This list is all right, but not exactly perfect.

The arguing on in this thread though, is a joke. First of all, good luck finding a car warranty outside of Hyundai and a few others that offer 5 year 100,000 mile coverage. More luck is needed to find a warranty that covers an alternator at 96,000 miles. Cleveland asked a dumb question, no big deal, and everyone jumped on his case, then he got defensive, and chaos ensued. You all sound like children. Get over it. Who cares. I feel ashamed for even reading all that garbage.

Now, back to the "list". It's actually not all that bad considering it only covers NEW or Upgraded interiors. The Kia forte shouldn't have made the list.... The 6 gran coupe and X3 should have made the list. I really like the comfort provided in the new Accord interiors. The Chevy Spark is crap. IMO.

Firewombat - 4/16/2013 4:26:35 PM

-2 Boost

Boom, I agree with you lexworld, @cleveland asked a very stupid question. It's a big deal because, if you read his other posts, he makes extremely stupid claims and generally makes-up figures and stats. If you question it he throws a tantrum and that's why everyone got worked-up.

Firewombat - 4/17/2013 3:29:18 AM

-1 Boost

Again, no facts or figures, just a personal attack again, I've been here longer than you, not that it matters, you've just been here under different accounts after being banned. Shame.

lexworld - 4/16/2013 2:26:04 PM

+3 Boost

Dude, no one is saying you have to lie and say your high expectation from the worlds top car maker has let you down or is not as great as those Toy/Lex fans would have someone to believe. But, things like batteries that fail way before the warrantly is up, alternators that give out before or after it's warranty is up from constant high current demand, cracked windshields, accidental road tire damage, paint chips from road debris etc are all unavoidable things that happen to good and bad people who drive every type of vehicle on the planet. Seriously, I feel ya because $1200 for labor/parts is no joke, but dude you're not driving a second class citizens automobile. Trust me on that one. Many very wealthy celebrities are consistantly return customers of Lexus and Toyota vehicles for many good reasons and fun to drive is way down the priority list. Of course, Mr. Akio Toyoda is bent on changing any incurring negative perception of the entire brands image....That you can be sure of!

USNA1999 - 4/16/2013 2:45:32 PM

-4 Boost

lexworld, I totally agree. I just got totally frustrated when last week I got a message on my computer stating that the alternator needed to be replaced. You don't expect this things when you spend this kind of money. I also understand about unavoidable things, I had pleanty of crap hit my vehicle while driving on I-95 and I-4.

lexworld - 4/16/2013 2:31:25 PM

+2 Boost

Well, actually the fun to drive priority has become an added factor in cosumer desire due to the daily drivers routine bordem these days....