Ward's 10 Best Interior Award 2013. Photo from Wards Magazine
For this reason and for the third consecutive year, WardsAuto, a magazine that for more than 80 years has delivered all kinds of information and everything about the global automotive industry, has chosen the 10 best interiors of 2013 new cars after analyzing during two months all releases and re-designs of the past year. The evaluation included exactly 46 vehicles and winners were recognized during a special ceremony in the city of Dearborn, Michigan
Judges were concerned about areas such as design, the level of finishing touches, parts adjustments, comfort, safety, and technology. Something very interesting is that among the 10 vehicles selected seven belong to Asian automakers, including Kia, Lexus, Acura, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota and Hyundai, of these, two are Korean, Kia and Hyundai, and five Japanese, Acura, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota, and Lexus. The remainder are Americans (Cadillac, Dodge and Chevrolet).
Among the top places, there are some cheap vehicles like the Chevrolet Spark and the Kia Forte which for being cars priced for under $16000 dollars come really well equipped and competed against other more expensive models and from higher categories such as the Acura RDX SUV or the luxurious Lexus GS450 sedan.
A peculiar note on this choice comes from the Cadillac XTS, which incorporates the latest infotainment system CUE from General Motors, the same which has been criticized by Consumer Reports because of various issues it has shown.
Toyota and General Motors are the two manufacturers with the most models gathered among the winners. Three of these vehicles are SUVs, five are sedans, one hatchback and one truck. The bad news is that only two of these cars fall within the range of the cheap ones. So here are the vehicles and models winners of the Best Interior 2013 award sorted alphabetically:
Acura RDX - SUV Priced Around $40,000
Cadillac XTS - Luxury Sedan Priced Around $64,500
Chevrolet Spark - Hatchback Priced Around $16,000
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport - SUV Priced Around $36,000
Kia Forte - Sedan Priced Around $25,000
Lexus GS 450h - Luxury Sedan Priced Around $68,000
Mazda Mazda6 - Sedan Priced Around $31,500
Nissan Pathfinder - Luxury SUV Priced Around $44,000
Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn — Truck Priced Around $55,000
Toyota Avalon - Luxury Sedan Priced Around $42,000
So, what is your favorite interior? These results demonstrate that Asian manufacturers are doing a better job in a matter of design and quality. Lucky those who can afford any of these new cars. In my case, I would opt for the Lexus GS 450h, and I also really like the interior of the Toyota Avalon and the Dodge RAM truck.
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