STUD or DUD: Have Audi And Mercedes Fallen To Second And Third Place In Best Interiors Compared To The 2016 BMW 7-Series?

Nope, still seeing some cheap plastics, but the gap is closing.

The key fob is cool though, but do I have to charge it?

I thought the same when I saw the black air vents, I thought this would be ending in design, especially the premium German brands. But then I saw the new Q7, which has them running all the way across the dash, exactly like the new VW passat, so maybe they're not letting go. I do prefer the metal-like round air vents in the mercedes though.

It won{t matter Autospies if you put 100 post of the new 7 series, it will continue behind the S class...

I love the ignorant comments already!

We're posting so much because we were one of eight U.S. publications that were present. You will not find these photos anywhere else unless they're ours.

Love the exterior. Never liked the uncomfortable junction between the bottom of the radio and the center console in all BMWs these days. Why doesn't that center console continue seamlessly down between the seats?

I agree, the concept they showed before had a better design for the console, I think this looks a lot like other BMW interiors, functional, but it's not creative in design.

The new 7-series is quite nice. The interior is head and shoulders above the S-Class, with a bespoke, beautifully finished look to it. There is no Buick-like steering wheel and no "jumbo-tron" dashboard that spreads wall-to-wall like the billboards in Times Square.

The exterior is very tasteful - perhaps aside from that fender vent behind the front wheels.

I think there will be naysayers, but for the people with $100K+ to spend on a big sedan there is a large subset who will buy this because it is, arguably a more tasteful offering than the MB S.

I have a 2012 S550 and have not upgraded to a new one because I think it looks gaudy and I don't like the droopy styling lines. This design is much more appealing to me. I am also 47 yrs old and I don't like seeing all the 65 yr old "New S" drivers.

MB has won the conquest of people who used to buy Lexus LS460s. Aside from AMG (which are really gaudy in my opinion), the S has become an old-man's car. I think this is going to do well and will slightly erode the S sales, but will kill the remaining meager level of A8 sales.

Yes, the quality of the materials are of the highest class, but I am not a fan of the design. I just feel the center stack design looks outdated

Love the exterior. I've always disliked the shifter BMW uses. They done an excellent job on the new 7 series. Gosh the days of Bangle's ugly trunk lids are fading quickly in that review mirror. Now get rid of those terrible run-flat tires that ride harsh, get less mileage on them and cost 1/3 more, and I may comeback over to buy another 5 series soon.

The interior looks tacky. The center buttons look like they're made from cheap plastic. The S-Class, despite having the Buick steering wheel and massive center screen, will continue to dominate.

I'm not a fan of this design, so no, Audi's interiors haven't "fallen behind"... yet.

But according to the stuff I've been seeing about Audi's next generation of interiors and exteriors, as seen in the new Q7, Audi is all queued up to become a *former* design leader.

The materials look of the highest quality but the design and detailing still lack the handcrafted love I see in the S-class interior.

Agent00R: Sorry If I offend you with what I wrote but I did it because "usually" I do not see that kind of coverage on S , A8, or even the CT6, that to my eyes looks better than the 7 (But may be you did not get a direct invitation to the release of those new models) and that "looks", biased. If is not, cool, the fact that I have an account here, tells you that I like the site (even if you do not post any of my suggested links). Keep the good work and if I am wrong the articles will tell us that, and still you know that you do not need justify anything cause you are the Sysop. Blessings.

It's beautiful, to be sure.

i really don't get the interior of the new s class or any recent benz (although just saw a video of the new s class coupe and that look as nice if not nicer than the new ).

i can't get past the giant flat lcd panels on the dash on the s class. they are just ugly even if the materials are nice.

i hate the tiny stuck to dash screens of the lower end MBs and the pop out (also small) lcd of the audis.

I do love the design of the drive iscreen. its bright and the shape and size is perfect for me. maybe its the large size and aspect ratio that makes it so much nicer.