WardsAuto announced 10 Best Interiors Of 2013
New vehicles from Acura, Cadillac, Lexus, and Toyota earn 2013 Ward’s 10 Best Interiors honors. The 2013 “Ward’s 10 Best Interiors” list features a wide range of automobile types and sticker prices.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.
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.
“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.”
The Acura RDX CUV, now in its second generation, secures its place with excellent fit-and-finish and an upscale sportiness that was lacking when the first version launched in 2006.
Editors rave about the RDX’s copious cargo hold, comfortable back seat and durable materials that should hold up well against the inherent abuse that comes from young families. Acura outsold Audi, Cadillac, Infiniti and Volvo in 2012 in the U.S., and the RDX interior demonstrates that Honda’s luxury brand can compete with the best.
The Cadillac XTS fullsize sedan earns its place with a thoroughly modern and intuitive HMI, the Cadillac User Experience, which can be voice-activated and integrates an adjustable head-up display that encourages drivers to keep their eyes on the road. CUE is being applied across the Cadillac range, with good reason.
This year’s winners:
Acura RDX (Honda Motor Co. Ltd.) ($40,315)
Cadillac XTS (General Motors Co.) ($64,695)
Chevrolet Spark (General Motors Co.) ($15,795)
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd.) ($35,925)
Kia Forte (Kia Motors Corp.) ($25,515)
Lexus GS 450h (Toyota Motor Corp.) ($68,139)
Mazda6 (Mazda Motor Corp.) ($31,490)
Nissan Pathfinder (Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.) ($44,395)
Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn (Chrysler Group LLC) ($55,390)
Toyota Avalon (Toyota Motor Corp.) ($42,449).
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.
