Electric cars have made significant strides in recent years. Gone are the days of limited driving range and dubious reliability. They are fast becoming a practical option for people wanting to reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing style and comfort.
The interiors and user experience are two areas where EVs have made serious leaps. From humongous infotainment screens to redefining the steering wheel, electric car interiors leave no stone unturned when it comes to being futuristic and bleeding edge. The annual list of 10 Best Interiors and UX winners, published by Wards Autos, is a testament to that.
Electric Vehicles Lead The Way In Futuristic Car Interiors
Any vehicle's interior layout is essential, but electric cars need it even more. The silence and comfort of the interior are key for electric cars as they lack the rumble of a petrol engine. And today's EV makers do not ignore that. The winners of the 2023 Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX included six electric vehicles. And if we include the hybrid Kia Sportage, the count goes to seven. This is two more than last year's winners. The trend is a clear indicator of the improvements in interior design and UX in the EV market.
One of the notable winners is the Ford F-150 Lightning, a completely electric version of the Ford F-150. A luxury pickup truck by all means, the Lightning has a roomy cabin with cozy seating for up to six passengers. The dashboard offers simple access to all the car's features, thanks to a sizable touchscreen display and a digital instrument cluster. To add to that, a front trunk and fold-down rear seats are just two of the Lightning's many practical storage options.
Then there's the futuristic i7, BMW's flagship vehicle. With seats upholstered in high-quality leather, the i7's cabin is adorned with premium materials such as wood and metal accents. The dashboard is minimal in design, with a long, curved glass sheet enclosing the digital instrument panel and central infotainment touchscreen. A crystal-like trim element hides the air vents and illuminates the cabin's mood lighting.
User Experience Is A Top Priority In EV Interior Design
User experience is a primary consideration in EV design besides the interior design. Manufacturers of EVs are making investments in technology that makes it simpler and more practical for drivers to charge their cars and operate various features.
The Lyric, the first-ever all-electric Cadillac, packs a notable winning feature in its augmented reality head-up display, which reflects significant information onto the windshield, such as navigational instructions and speed regulations. This enables the drivers to get all the vital information while keeping their eyes on the road. This EV also features a distinctive audio system, with speakers incorporated into the headrests. Users can watch their own films or listen to their own music without bothering others inside the car.
Voice control is a further function that electric car-makers are pursuing. Drivers can operate a number of features using voice control without removing their hands from the wheel or their eyes from the road. For instance, the Mercedes-Benz EQS has a conversation and interactive voice control system. Developed in collaboration with SoundHound, Mercedes-Benz's voice assistant has extended the "Hey Mercedes" experience. From controlling in-car functionality (like windows and ACs) to delivering results for external things like sports scores, and general questions, it has the driver covered.
Electric Vehicles Are Prioritizing Sustainable Interior Materials
Utilizing eco-friendly materials is another way electric vehicles are distinguishing themselves in interior design. It shows that, apart from being emission-free, manufacturers are trying to further distinguish their cars and market them as more sustainable. The interior of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, for instance, is composed of recycled plastic, among other elements. The inside of the Porsche Taycan, another impressive EV, is equally environmentally friendly, with options for leather-less seats constructed of recycled materials.
Recycled plastic, leather, and natural fibers were used in the interiors of the BMW i7 as well. Its dashboard is made of recovered carbon fiber, a greener substitute for conventional carbon fiber. Similarly, Ford is known to use REPREVE fibers in the seats of its pickups, including the F-150. This fiber is made from recycled materials, including plastic bottles.
With its use of vegan leather, the Benz EQS goes even further in sustainability. The interior of the Mercedes-Benz EQS has leather-like seats and other surfaces constructed of premium synthetic materials that appear and feel like the genuine thing.
It is fair to conclude that the interiors and user experience of electric vehicles have advanced significantly in the last few years. The comfort and design of the cabin have become even more important given how quiet electric vehicles are, and manufacturers are not shying from the challenge. Electric vehicles are setting the bar for interior design, from the roomy Ford Mustang Mach-E to the quick and understated Tesla Model S Plaid.
It is not just us that think the interiors and UX of electric vehicles are the best it has ever been. Christie Schweinsberg, the editor of Wards Auto and a judge of the 10 Best Interiors & UX list, says, "For automotive interior and user-experience technology enthusiasts, there’s perhaps been no better era to be alive. The creative design cues we’re witnessing are bold and refreshing, and trim materials are unique and eye-catching. Furthermore, the user experience has been elevated by the increasing digitization of the cockpit, with showy animation greeting drivers on displays and ambient lighting taking center stage like never before."