Top 5: Best Car Interiors

What makes a good interior?

The evolution of car design is quite something. Each new model launch is met with waves of praise and critique in reference to the exterior styling.

Just as important as the exterior however, is of course the interior, which seems to have evolved rather rapidly in recent times. This is due to many manufacturer's interiors now adopting a fully-digital style, making analogue dials more or less redundant in many new cars.

Another surprising interior trend is the level of refinement and wow-factor offered in many entry-level cars, and not just the range-topping models. Some manufacturers still reserve the fully-digital instrument clusters to higher-specification models, yet nearly all new cars now feature a stylish touchscreen infotainment system.

With so many new models sporting exciting and impressive interiors, we thought we would take a look at our favourites from a mix of different manufacturers, spanning multiple budgets.

Which one do you like best?

• Mercedes-Benz A-Class
• Porsche 911
• BMW M3 Competition
• Range Rover Velar
• MINI Hatch

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Launched in 2018, the fourth-generation A-Class was met with high praise thanks to an ultra-modern interior that demonstrated a brand-new style never before seen in any Mercedes-Benz.

MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) also made its debut in the entry-level A-Class and was seen as a revolution for interior quality. It comprises of two 7-inch or 10.25-inch screens (dependent on specification) which sit alongside each other on the dashboard to create an ultra-wide digital display. One plays the part of displaying the car's infotainment, whilst the other replaces the traditional analogue dials - which are now fully digital.

'Hey Mercedes' can be used to speak voice commands to the car as part of the system, and over time, the car even learns driver habits. Complemented design such as striking turbine air conditioning vents, along with high-quality material choice certainly make the entry-level A-Class feel like it is a much more exclusive Mercedes-Benz model.

Ambient lighting, various seat options and multiple leather colours mean buyers can tailor their A-Class interior perfectly to their individual taste. No matter the selection, the A-Class interior continues to wow its occupants.

Porsche 911

The world's best sportscar continues to set the standard for exterior design, with its unmistakable silhouette evolving perfectly over time. Just like the exterior, the cabin blends iconic original 911 interior traits, with all-new digital design, for a truly special interior focus to complete the overall package.

Five iconic dials have always been the focus of any 911 dashboard throughout the multiple generations, but it is particularly impressive in the 992-generation. The iconic five dials still remain, and just like the original the central largest dial is an analogue rev counter - but in keeping with the digital focus of car interiors currently, the remaining four dials are all digital. This blends the driver-focused originality of the analogue rev counter, whilst still keeping a state-of-the-art digital focus.

A stunning centrally mounted 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment screen is completed by lots of premium feeling materials, gloss-black detailing and a multi-function steering wheel covered in premium leather. Various colour choices can be specified along with the legendary Porsche crest in certain places such as the seats and armrest.

BMW M3 Competition

The G80-generation BMW M3 exterior design has been discussed heavily, but the car's cabin is quite possibly the best interior to feature in a BMW for many years.

This is because the previous-generation F80 M3 featured analogue dials and many thought competitors such as Mercedes-Benz and Audi offered more in terms of the switch to digital styles. It could be argued that the analogue design appeals to keen drivers, but this all-new digital approach is superbly designed to say the least.

Now featuring a stunning digital instrument cluster set-up, with complementing touchscreen infotainment, the M3 Competition may well be one of the best interiors on the market. Comprising a stunning 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch central infotainment display, the M3 offers a new era of digitally focused high-performance driving focus.

The icing on the cake is the optional, fully-functional M Carbon bucket seats, which give the M3's interior the ultimate wow-factor. These can be specified in many eye-catching colour combinations.

Range Rover Velar

Described as the avant-garde Range Rover, the Velar is very much a model brimming with new ideas and style. The exterior design gives this SUV ultra-attractive looks, which arguably make it the best-looking Range Rover model available.

Inside, the new-era approach continues in a somewhat minimalistic digital expression of excellence. A fully-digital instrument cluster houses a neat display, along with two 10-inch touchscreens in the centre of the dashboard. The top screen displays all of the Velar's infotainment features, whilst the bottom one controls the temperature of the Velar's cabin. It is all beautifully laid out, neat and simplistic.

Various leather and suede options can be selected for the seats, along with aluminium trim finishers to make the Velar interior as plush or as simple to meet your personal tastes. The Velar manages to perfectly mix luxury with robustness, a trait seen in many Land Rovers, due to their workhorse/luxury vehicle dual personalities.

MINI Hatch

MINI interiors have always been quirky and cool, and even the first-generation of new MINI launched in 2001 set the bar high with an iconic central speedometer and cool toggle switchgear.

This particular 2021 model of course joins the digital revolution and therefore features a digital instrument cluster which sits in front of the steering wheel, unlike the centre where it used to sit in older models. This area is now reserved for a circular infotainment set up, housing a rectangular screen which complements the interior perfectly.

Iconic toggle switches remain thoughout, and are a superb mix of modern and retro - in fact the whole interior still has the uncanny ability to feel retro, as well as feeling superbly modern.

Although this latest version has all the impressive up-to-date features a new car buyer may need or want, used MINI models still score very highly in some of the best car interiors available and are well worth a look if your budget doesn't stretch to a brand-new MINI.

Find your perfect car interior

With the shift to stunning digital interiors well and truly in motion, maybe our list has inspired you to think about a new car.

At Stratstone, we provide the latest new cars from many of the world's most popular manufacturers. We also have a number of used cars which also feature the latest digital interior styles too.

Whatever you desire, if you cannot find what you are looking for, contact your local Stratstone retailer today with any questions you may have regarding any new or used car and we would be happy to help where we can.