The 10 Best Car Interiors of 2021 According to WardsAuto
What are the best new car interiors on the market? If you want some answers, WardsAuto’s annual list is back for 2021.
Once again, the magazine’s staff based their decisions on several criteria including design aesthetic, comfort, ergonomics, materials, fit-and-finish and the user-friendliness of displays and controls. Not all vehicles are considered, mind you—only brand new or significantly improved models, with no price limit.
For the most part, we at The Car Guide agree with the picks, although we’re kind of surprised by the absence of Audi (e-tron GT), Cadillac (Escalade), Genesis (GV70 and GV80) or even the Toyota Sienna. Check out the top 10 right here!
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E
WardsAuto’s take: “Subtle, sleek and modern. This is the sharpest BEV interior yet–modern without being too spartan.”
2021 GMC Yukon XL Denali
WardsAuto’s take: “From steering wheel to liftgate, this is a beautifully executed interior. GMC’s push for recognition as a purveyor of premium vehicles reaches its pinnacle in the 2021 Yukon XL Denali XL,which features a refined yet rugged interior that’s exclusive to the Denali.”
2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
WardsAuto’s take: “Beyond its visual allure, the all-new Mercedes-Benz S580 wins a Wards 10 Best Interiors trophy for its Air Balance cabin fragrance spritzer, Burmester 4D surround-sound system and the custom massage to soothe one’s troubles away.”
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
WardsAuto’s take: “Warm and alluring inside, with a strong sense of handcraftsmanship. The Grand Cherokee L provides an ultra-luxury look and feel—and a healthy level of techno-gadgetry—at a more mass-market price.”
2022 Honda Civic
WardsAuto’s take: “The new Civic is a solid entry in this price segment. This is a nice combo of style and function and the honeycomb trim running pillar-to-pillar gives this a clean, technical appearance.”
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander
WardsAuto’s take: “The fully redesigned 2022 Outlander earns Mitsubishi its first Wards 10 Best Interiors trophy on the strength of distinctive design, plentiful technology and outstanding value. In terms of the interior being able to sell the vehicle, this interior stands above every other car on the list.”
2021 Land Rover Defender
WardsAuto’s take: “Clearly the Defender’s interior is not for everyone, but it wins a 10 Best Interiors award because it’s proud to be different, instills enormous confidence and makes the beginning of every drive feel like an adventure.”
2021 Bentley Bentayga Speed
WardsAuto’s take: “Bentley delivers a dramatic, sporty, captivating passenger compartment that maintains the brand’s identity while incorporating the latest connectivity and infotainment technologies. The fact that so much of this interior is built and stitched by hand makes it even more remarkable.”
2022 Hyundai Tucson
WardsAuto’s take: “The Hyundai Tucson checks all the boxes and then some. It’s a stylish, well-put-together midsize CUV that offers plenty of features and comfort at an attractive price, and then goes that extra step.”
2021 Ford F-150
WardsAuto’s take: “The level of luxury in the 2021 Ford F-150 combines with the latest technology, practicality and a brilliant fold-out work surface that transforms the center console for lunch, signing documents or firing up the laptop.”