WardsAuto Blesses 11 Cars With "Interior of the Year"

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

Fair disclosure: I’ve just finished an e-mail correspondence a Ward’s employee who insulted my professional honor. On her or off her? Definitely on her. That’s the best offer I’ve had all week. But seriously folks, if my expense account hadn’t suddenly disappeared, I’d send these guys the animated version of Atlas Shrugged. As Dash Parr (a.k.a. Incredible) moaned, saying every one’s special is like saying no one’s special. I mean, eleven winners? “All 35 [considered] vehicles were divided into six car and truck segments based on price. One winner is named for each of the six categories, plus special-achievement honorees are selected in five other areas. The 11 awards carry equal weight.” And I’m sure that’s exactly what you told the manufacturers so honored. Who are . . .

  • Honda Fit Sport (Economy-priced car)
  • Volkswagen CC (Popular-priced car)
  • Kia Soul (Grooviest Interior)
  • Acura TL (Premium-priced car)
  • Nissan 370Z Touring (Sports car)
  • Dodge Ram (Popular-priced truck)
  • Ford Flex (Premium-priced truck)
  • Audi A4 (Best Redesign)
  • Ford Fusion Hybrid (Best Graphic Display)
  • Lexus RX 450h (Design Harmony)
  • Cadillac CTS-V (Best Brand Expression)

Oh, and “The winners will be honored May 21 at the Ward’s Auto Interiors Conference, to be held at the Dearborn Ritz Carlton.” I expect to see my invitation at robertfarago1@gmail.com any second now.

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • Kamikaze2b Kamikaze2b on Apr 10, 2009

    Aside from the odd gas gauge the 370 Z's interior has been widely praised in almost every review both in print and online, not sure wtf you guys are looking at.

  • F8 F8 on Apr 10, 2009
    Are you talking about the 350Z? The 370Z has a fantastic looking interior. 350Z has interior problems too, but 370Z's interior is all made out of circular objects and gauges of various sizes popping out everywhere like cartoonish frog eyes. If you think that's a good design, then I don't know what to say - it's all personal preference, obviously, but to me it looks like a Mini got screwed by one of the cars from Fast and Furious. It doesn't belong in a 30K+ car.
  • Kamikaze2b Kamikaze2b on Apr 10, 2009

    ^^^Of course looks are subjective, but like I said, every review that I have seen online or in print has praised the interior of the 370, sans the lame gas gauge. You may not like it, but you're in the minority, as this award shows.

  • Ricky Spanish Ricky Spanish on Apr 13, 2009

    the Z ? are they kidding? its just miles and miles and miles of blackness.

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