The 1980s represented a change in style that had not been seen before in automotive engineering. Not only did sports cars get turbos and new exterior designs but the cabins became more technology-focused with cool features comfort features. For the first time, patterned cloth seating became a thing. Buttons and dials were set up for every function, and even then, that was a luxury. Regular production models received significantly less priority compared to the higher-end vehicles in this category.
However, those models blessed with this attention had the advantage of long-lasting quality that is evident to date. They may only have had climate control, air conditioning, and basic seat functions, but the pedigree in construction and layout is still apparent. Let's take a look at what the very best car interiors looked like in the '80s.
10 Cadillac Brougham
The Brougham arrived in 1987, featuring a vintage-styled interior with high-end material quality. Even at the base level, it was upholstered in Prima Vera cloth and tailored fluted design. The Brougham d’Elegance is then trimmed with luxurious velour with different available sew styles that could match current limousines.
Its buttons and dials for seating and climate control were also much simpler to operate than other foreign luxury sedans. Illuminated Entry and passenger lighted vanity mirrors were standard as well.
9 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC
Mercedes-Benz sold various versions of the 560 from 1986 TO 1989, and the SEC was among them. It was the predecessor of what is now known as the S Class, so it is not surprising that it is on the list. The S Class is the current Mercedes-Benz benchmark for luxury and interior quality.
Apart from the wood trim and fine leather upholstery, Mercedes-Benz fitted the model with seats with memory function and lumbar support, not to mention the stereo and dual-zone climate control.
8 Aston Martin Lagonda
The Lagonda is a unique model considering it came from a heritage of conservative automakers, yet it was a wild card. It was one of the first models to feature cutting-edge displays and buttons meant to be touch-sensitive, but they did always work.
The material quality was also quite up there. It featured a great leather interior and wood trim all around the cabin, which was one of the reasons the customers purchased the car, considering the odd exterior looks.
7 Mercedes-Benz W124
The second Mercedes on the list was produced for the mainstream middle class and was the first iteration of the Mercedes E-Class. The Mercedes W124 has plastics that feel quite firm even by the current standards, but the cabin's layout has a certain simplicity that creates a timeless appeal.
The majority of the W124s come with leather trim, though the cloth is also part of the usual. The carpets and the instrumentation also last well, even if new parts can be expensive.
6 Opel Monza GSE
The Opels of this era are renowned for their solid-looking cabins. Recaro front seats, velour cloth door panels, and seven function trip computers are all part of the package.
The other striking element of the dash was the LCD instrument pack, and it is usually reliable. The Monza GSE also had an illuminated vanity mirror, integral map reading lights, and sound insulation. Its cabin was very well outfitted, even if it was released for the middle-class customer segments.
5 Renault 25
The Renault 25 was released as a luxury-class sedan that looked great on the outside and the inside. The Renault 25 was one of the first models to come with a voice synthesizer onboard computer that reported problems in a vehicle system.
It also came with both velor and heating with great lateral support and the necessary adjustments. The seats were electrically operated for the high-end models, and the drivers had a memory of five positions.
4 Nissan Gloria
The Gloria was released to the market during the late 80s as a luxury four-door sedan. It was reasonably traditional, of course, though the interior had a sophisticated home stereo system. The designers of the Nissan Gloria also had cubism in mind, which was in line with ongoing trends of the period.
The seating was comfy as well due to the velour button-tufted upholstery. The steering wheel was also covered with leather and plastic wood finishing. Audio decks, car navigation, and power windows were also part of the standard package.
3 Alfa Romeo 164
The Alfa 164 is another late 80s offering with a cabin with smooth lines and considerable space. The dashboard and layout were both simple and futuristic. Climate control, seat position control, and power windows were part of the package.
The car's interior is also durable as it takes a long time to wear down and will show limited signs even if it has been running for thousands of miles. The leather material quality coupled with the sunroof as well makes for great drives.
2 Porsche 928
The 928 is said to have set the template for modern cabins because of the raised center console and tight integration. The dash also seamlessly wrapped around the door cards.
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Considered one of the coolest cars to drive, the 928 was exceedingly comfortable due to the leather and material quality. The signature tombstone bucket seats were also in a form that has not changed much up to date. The front passengers have sufficient space as well.
1 BMW 8 Series
The BMW 8 Series cabin was one of the model's highlights as it featured a well-built and driver-focused interior. Like the Porsche, it was an upscale German model with a high level of integration as well. The material quality was high, and the instrumentation had a lot of buttons and dials.
BMW prioritized the space as well, so there was sufficient head and legroom for all passengers. BMW also tried a minimalist approach with this model, which was an interesting shift from the typically packed interiors.