Genesis G70Genesis Exterior styling makes a vehicle’s first impression, but it’s the interior that really makes or breaks it. It doesn’t matter how good the outside is if you’re not happy with the inside. To that end, auto industry publication WardsAuto recently announced its annual Wards 10 Best Interiors for 2019. The editors looked at 32 nominees (which had to be all-new or updated for 2019, but there’s no price cap) and scored each on design, comfort, ergonomics, materials, fit and finish, and user-friendliness. The Michigan-based company tested U.S. models, which don’t always correspond to Canadian trim levels, so we’ve given you both the Canadian starting price, and the U.S. price for the trim level that Wards tested. In alphabetical order, the top ten are: Bentley Continental GT (CDN starting price $231,800/US tested $276,730) Bentley Continental GT Bentley You expect near-perfection at this price, and the GT delivers. Wards says it takes 100 hours and ten bull hides to create the interior, and it looks it. Also nominated was the Cayenne Turbo, which has a sportier flair, but for plain good looks and coddling luxury, Bentley has this one. Even so, they bear some resemblance in their overall design, no doubt because they’re both part of the Volkswagen Group. BMW M850i (CDN starting price $123,500/US tested $119,295) 2019 BMW M850i xDrive Coupe Handout / BMW The new coupe was nominated along with the BMW 330i and X5, but while those two scored high, the judges thought the M850i “takes the brand’s interiors to another level.” They liked its “ergonomics, brilliant displays, and lightning-fast voice recognition,” along with its leather and metal trim. It is handsome, but I’d have given the crown to nominee Audi A8, with its better-integrated centre screen and smoother, wider-looking dash styling. Genesis G70 (CDN starting price $42,000/US tested $44,895) Genesis G70 Genesis The Genesis hit the list with attention to detail, rear-seat comfort, and that “all this style, quality and content” came in under $45,000. Personal taste being, well, personal, I’ve never been a fan of too much diamond-stitched upholstery; that aside, the G70 earned its spot. Among the also-rans, the Toyota Avalon has a curved centre console topped with a tablet-style touchscreen that looks too clunky, and the Lexus ES 350, while stylish, can’t top the Genesis. Hyundai Santa Fe (CDN starting price $28,999/US tested $39,905) Hyundai Santa Fe Hyundai The Hyundai Palisade and Veloster N were also nominated, but Santa Fe made the final cut for throwing in all kinds of features for the price – Wards noted heated second-row seats, wireless charging, privacy shades, impeccable fit-and-finish, and “the kind of brushed-aluminum sill plates usually found in luxury cars twice the price.” The new Palisade could have easily traded places with it, but what you get for the Santa Fe’s price is impressive. I also like the Subaru Ascent’s interior, and it was nominated, but didn’t make the final cut. Jeep Gladiator (CDN starting price estimated $45,500/US tested $51,245) Jeep Gladiator Jeep The Gladiator shares the new-for-2018 Wrangler’s impressive cabin, but Wards was really wowed with the second row and its fold-up-fold-down seats, locking storage, and removable Bluetooth wireless speaker. The Gladiator easily topped the nominated Ford Ranger, with an interior that gets the job done but lacks the Jeep’s flair. The GMC Sierra Denali made the top 10 in 2014, but only earned a nomination this time around. Lincoln Nautilus (CDN starting price $50,450/US tested $67,630) Lincoln Nautilus Black Label Lincoln Lincoln’s new focus on its interiors earned it a well-deserved spot. Wards tested the Black Label trim and liked the infotainment system’s operation, the diamond-pattern seats, Alcantara headliner, and a console that’s “the visual focal point of the interior.” Arch-rival Cadillac was nominated for its XT4, but its hodgepodge of dash panels is too funky for a luxury brand; the Lexus UX 200 F Sport compact sport-ute has a functional cockpit but it’s a bit too plain. Mercedes-Benz A220 Sedan (CDN starting price $34,990/US tested $51,935) Mercedes-Benz A220 Sedan Mercedes-Benz The A220 is Mercedes-Benz’s entry-level model, but it doesn’t look it. Wards gushed over the first appearance of MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), which uses artificial intelligence to learn natural speech commands. As did I, the editors also liked the turbine-shaped vents and how the instrument cluster and infotainment system are integrated into a single screen. Other nominated sedans included the Nissan Altima, with a swoopy dash that mimics the front grille; Volkswagen Jetta, with its simple but elegant design; and Honda Insight, which is too busy and has a strange, push-pull button transmission shifter. Nissan Kicks (CDN starting price $17,998/US tested $23,330) Nissan Kicks Nissan The Kicks was the least expensive
Origin: The 10 best vehicle interiors for 2019