Anyone else disappointed with progression of Car Interiors?

Clipsey

Clipsey

Clipsey

Soldato
Joined
26 Nov 2004
Posts
6,167
Location
Near Windy City, USA
Is it just me or are the interiors just a bit hum drum these days?
Obviously the super high end cars are beautiful, but I'm talking about your every day manufacturers. They are all vastly similar and none of them ooze that much style or class?
I used to care more about how a car looked and performed, however now the main attraction is the interior and what it all offers. With technology advancements things have obviously come a long way and makes life super easy. However, I've been looking for a replacement car for maybe early next year and nothing is screaming out to me.

What manufacturers do you guys think produce a classy interior?

Recently rented a BMW 5 series and was not that impressed:
The radio and dash seems so dated and lack of touch screen?
http://2017bmw5series.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/2017-BMW-5-Series-Interior-Model-M5.jpg

Switched it out to an E-class half way through the rental:
Little nicer looking and more functional, but after a few days felt boring:
https://www.mercedes-benz.com/wp-co...es-Benz-Vehicles-new-e-class-2016-660x602.jpg

My current car:
Love the big touch screen (especially the ease of use of all the apps), digital display, but again lots of plastic and standard looking on most things.

Test driven
Lexus Rx:
Seriously disappointed with this one:
http://www.bestcrossoversuvs.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/2017-Lexus-RX-450h-interior.jpg

Chevy Tahoe:
Gorgeous looking car, awful interior! This is a $70k car! I was expecting a lot more!
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLhyELHx...600/2017+Chevrolet+Tahoe+Z71+Release+Date.jpg

Cadillac Escalade:
Probably my favourite so far that I have test drove. Offers absolutely everything when it comes to technology. Not sure I want to spend that much though. Exterior looks identical to Tahoe and Yukon, but quite a lot more money.
http://static.usnews.rankingsandrev...5538/2016_cadillac_escalade_esv_dashboard.jpg

Infiniti QX80:
Massive car, a love or hate type of look. I love the look, interior.....way to dated :( Even looked at the 2017 Nissan Armada as it's the exact same car....the interior was even worse!
http://bestnewsuv.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2017-Infiniti-QX60-interior.jpg

Not my style of car, but the Tesla S has something pretty different:
Not sure of the screen would be annoying or awesome: Moving in the right direction though.
https://carsintrend.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Tesla-Model-3-interior.jpg


Buttons - they should be a thing of the past! Need minimal buttons, volume and a/c maybe.
Guess I'm being particularly picky or just have wishes that can't quite all be filled.
Figured if you're spending a lot of money, you want it all!

Any particular brands that you guys think are leading the way etc?

Just for reference I'll be buying another 4x4.

** Do Not Hotlink Images **
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I think that depends more on the software Uriel and how easy it is to use. Are you concerned more about safety and having to fiddle with a screen?
The Jeep/Chrysler eco system is incredibly easy to use and what I love about my current car. My wife has the cayenne (2012) the screen is a lot harder to use and doesn't function that great.
Most of the things you use are loaded on to the driving wheel these days or can just say a command and it'll happen.
 
Armageus said:
Nope buttons are perfectly fine for Cars - rather have some tactile feedback, and physical presence, so that I can change things without having to look exactly at where on a touch screen I need to press.

I also don't need "apps" in my car... I am supposed to be driving, not worrying about the latest social media posts as I am driving along.
Click to expand...

This leads again to the software and ease of use. I have rarely seen one that is any good so far. However, the ones that are good are incredibly easy to use.

I agree on the silly stuff like social updates, pandora or whatever. I mean more in terms of music, nav, climate, car settings etc.
 
Heads up display like on the BMW was fantastic - a great advancement. iDrive I personally didn't get along with and the software was not easy to use at all. Way to fiddly.

Probably true about touchscreens and people being distracted, shame as I really like mine at the moment and it's ease of use.

As Kindai mentioned, guess there is only so many ways you can dress up air vents, compartments, buttons etc.
However, I'm not just talking about the buttons (or lack of) it's just everything in general.
Read that people were disappointed with the Jag F-Pace, far to plastic.

I'm probably (definitely) just being way to critical.
 
[TW]Fox;30118439 said:
That isn't a 5 Series interior, it's the slightly older 5 Series GT.

The interior of the 5 Series is designed for the 10.2" widescreen not the silly 6 inch one in your photo. With the proper widescreen etc it is IMHO one of the best car interiors around.

It's good that it doesn't have a touch screen - because they are terrible in a car environment.
Click to expand...

That was a stock pic I grabbed from Google, they all looked pretty similar.
Here is from the BMW website under 5 series (even though in the link it states 3 series....?)
http://www.bmwusa.com/content/dam/b..._3Series_Overview-BM4_AdvancedInnovations.jpg

The heads up display on the windscreen is great, however the software they use I feel is terrible. If it were a touch screen it would be shambolic I agree. Trying to navigate, change Xm stations was all so long winded. The interior looks nice, non digital clusters seems very dated to me. Just one of the improvements they should be making.
 
[TW]Fox;30118521 said:
This is not a Cadillac Escalade it is a Cadillac CTS, a completely different type of car.

If you can't even remember what these interiors looked like enough to be able to find pictures of them on Google I'm not sure how how much credibility we should give your view on them :p
Click to expand...

haha just noticed that. I had about 20 tabs open and tried to keep everything similar size and color. How I didn't see the missing giant stalk shifter (yawn!) I don't know.

Is the BMX X5 similar Fox?
 
Hades said:
I can use it without taking my eyes of the road.
Click to expand...

I think this relates to the software though. I can easily use my touchscreen without looking at it (at least the major functions). I just know where it's located by heart.
 
Last edited:
Rilot said:
Jag? Poor infotainment UI compared to the 5-Series etc. but looks nice and is a nice place to be. Is touchscreen at least which seems to be something you want.
Click to expand...

I saw the F-Pace the other day and thought it looked really nice. Few people had negative things to say but probably nit picking.
Only trouble is, this would be a car for my wife as it's not big enough for what I want. Ideally want 7-seater with captain seats in the 2nd row.
 
Rilot said:
Range Rover Sport? 7 seats, touchscreen, lack of buttons.
Click to expand...
My bro-in-law recommends staying clear of them (he's lead mechanic at one of their dealerships in England). They are very tasty, but being that I'm from Essex I could never bring myself to buying one!
adolf hamster said:
i feel for the op if he ever has to drive a ford ka.

tbh the lower end cars interiors are getting worse, seats are massively uncomfortable and the quality just isnt there.
Click to expand...

Ha, don't worry I've had my fair share of cassette driven interior decks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom