#CAS17: AWESOME or AWFUL? Are Mercedes-Benz's Interiors ON POINT or OFF The Mark?

In the luxury sector, we must admit that it's gotta be difficult for the design teams to continually reinvent a brand's look, feel and textures. There's only so much that can be done.

However, we've been noting that some automakers are keeping things interesting on the inside of vehicles. Some have started integrating new pattern work into the upholstrey's stitching, while others have started creating shapes and patterns in the seat's perforation.

2017 Chicago Auto Show

The reality is that some succeed and others fail. Massively.

Having said that we wanted to bring forth Mercedes-Benz's latest efforts and hear what YOU have to say on the matter. The three-pointed star's interiors have been known to be ergonomic nightmares and a tad old man-ish; however, as of late it seems they've turned a corner.

Now they're home to large displays and a lot of tech gadgets. So, we've gotta ask: Are Mercedes' latest interiors AWESOME or AWFUL?


2017 Chicago Auto Show

MDarringer - 2/9/2017 10:21:49 PM

-2 Boost

black and white = immature looking

baby shit orange and beige = gaudy, grotesque, and tasteless

MDarringer - 2/9/2017 10:21:50 PM

-2 Boost

black and white = immature looking

baby shit orange and beige = gaudy, grotesque, and tasteless

TomM - 2/10/2017 5:54:45 PM

+2 Boost

Show car interiors are not necessarily what will end up in production vehicles. It is not unusual for manufacturers to use eye catching (for good or bad) clor schemes in their Show cars. However - these ignore just how really nice the REAL production interiors are in the Sclass - Maybach - and AMG car they actually sell. Yes - they are different from AUDI and if you like understatement well - apparently though - Audi A8 does not compete in sales.

malba2367 - 2/9/2017 10:41:04 PM

+6 Boost

I personally prefer the more clean, contemporary lines of Audi interiors. I find the MB interiors to be very well built..and can see how people who prefer more traditional decor would love these interiors.

momentofsurrender - 2/9/2017 10:46:04 PM

+3 Boost

Many of their interiors are stunning. The new E class and certainly the S Class fall into that category. Really impressive in person. Many will disagree but the S class Coupe and Cabriolet hold their own against the much more expensive related Bentley products.

gkearns56 - 2/10/2017 10:11:03 AM

+1 Boost

Dislike the long drive-in movie theater dash. Reminds me of the old Buick's of the 80's. Put the previous generation cockpit in the newly designed cars and they would have a fabulous interior looking vehicle. Even BMW interiors for the 3 series (only) have too much plastic.

llaroo - 2/9/2017 10:48:56 PM

+3 Boost

gaudy looking, all the curves of the dash are now accentuated with LED lights, everywhere you turn there is a curve - way too tacky and annoying

Dexter1 - 2/10/2017 1:29:33 AM

-1 Boost

Are these interiors from the new Ford F150 Lariat Edition?

PUGPROUD - 2/10/2017 3:51:18 PM

0 Boost

Different strokes for different folks. Like them or not Mercedes interiors have come a long way in terms of style, quality and sense of occassion over the past ten years. Video screens are the latest greatest trend though I'm old school and prefer digital dials. Drove a friends C63 Coupe recently and was quite impressed on all performance and style fronts.

mre30 - 2/10/2017 10:15:33 PM

+1 Boost

The Mercedes "jumbo-tron" look is not aging well in my opinion. I agree with others that the Mercedes interiors have skewed towards the 'gimmicky'.

The E and S class interiors are very busy and a riot of shapes and textures but they at least preserve a semblance of "premium".

The interiors of the C-Class on down have a patina of cheapness about them. I had to drive a C300 service loaner for two days and after an initial 20 minutes in it (where it looks good on surface) it is cheapo, flimsy, and plasticky. All the GL suv's (GLS and GLE are aged and GLC and GLA are junky looking) have tired and/or cheapo looking interiors.

Its time for a new interior design language that is scalable both up and down.

BimmersNme - 2/10/2017 10:17:05 PM

+3 Boost

Totally agree with BobM's comment

GermanNut - 2/11/2017 12:14:33 PM

+2 Boost

Mercedes-Benz does high-quality interiors but their design is very different than Audi's also high-quality interiors. Whereas Audi does clean, sleek and minimalist interiors, Mercedes-Benz is more typical luxury with woods and a heavier design theme.

I personally really like Audi's clean and sleek look but for those who want a more traditional interpretation of luxury, Mercedes-Benz is a great choice.

Both Mercedes Benz and Audi have interiors that are significantly higher quality and better ergonomically than BMW's interiors.