These Cars Made It To This Year’s Wards 10 Best Interiors

This year’s list is dominated by unibody car-based crossover/utility vehicles. As a matter of fact, seven out of this year’s list of ten winners are utility vehicles, and this is also reflected in the sales data collected by Wards Intelligence.

Based on their research, for the 2021 model year that just ended September 30, 45.3 percent of vehicles sold were CUVs, up nearly three percentage points from the prior year. Cars accounted for 22.8 percent of sales, compared with 18.2 percent for all pickups, 9.1 percent for all body-on-frame SUVs and 4.6 percent for vans.

Listed by Wards Auto in alphabetical order, here is the full list of this year’s winners and a photo of its interior:

Bentley Bentayga Speed

With a starting price of $247,725 before options, it’s no surprise that a crossover SUV of this caliber made it to this list. This price tag can easily escalate past $300,000 if you lavishly tick all the options boxes. You definitely do get what you pay for, but this list also includes numerous vehicles that will fit your budget,

Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is the only pickup on this year’s list. Wards Auto commends the F-150’s soft surfaces that contrast with its textured metal trim. But the true highlight for the Wards Auto team is its utility, especially the optional Interior Work Surface and fold-flat front seats. The F-150 currently sets the bar among pickups in terms of luxury while still offering loads of practicality.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is the only electric vehicle (EV) to be included in this year’s list. Wards Auto was quick to point out that their list is often filled with interiors that are full of bling and copious amounts of bright or rich colors. The Mach-E bucks their trend with its slick, minimalist cabin whilst still being made with premium, upscale materials.

GMC Yukon Denali

The GMC Yukon Denali is the only body-on-frame SUV to be included in this year’s list. The judges from Wards Auto were impressed with the attention to detail in the Yukon Denali’s materials, particularly the open-pore wood, metallic elements, and the varying grades of leather across its interior.

Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is the most affordable car on this year’s list and it’s one of the only two non-SUV or crossover on this list. Affordable doesn’t mean cheap, though. Wards Auto is particularly fond of the textured gray trims on the doors and center console. However, the Civic’s true pièce de résistance according to Wards Auto is its aluminum honeycomb trim piece spanning the width of the dashboard.

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai has been part of Wards Auto’s list for the past three years, and the new Tucson seeks to continue the brand’s winning streak. The Tucson was included in this year’s list thanks to its daring design details and tactile buttons for the sound and climate controls that are within easy reach.

Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been completely redesigned this year and its overhauled premium interior has landed it a spot on this year’s list. Wards Auto was swooned by its lavish materials, breathtaking interior color scheme, and ingenious features such as the McIntosh sound system’s decibel meter and the easy-to-access middle-row captain’s chairs.

Land Rover Defender

Wards Auto admits that the Defender’s interior is not for everyone, but it still gave it a spot on this year’s list. The judges were particularly impressed with its exposed structural parts that "mimics fancy New York City apartments" as well as the overall simple but functional vibe that the Defender’s interior offers.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

It’s no surprise that the new S-Class made it to this year’s list. As a matter of fact, I’ll truly be surprised if it did not earn the recognition of Wards Auto at all. Just a simple look at the benchmark full-size luxury sedan’s interior is enough to explain why a new S-Class will always deserve to be on Wards Auto’s list.

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi was never historically known to churn out premium or even exciting interiors, but the new Outlander bucks that trend. Essentially a reskinned Nissan Rogue this time around, the new Outlander finally has an interior that’s worthy of praise from the Wards Auto team, thanks to its rich colors, premium materials and overall distinctive design.

This year’s list of 10 Best Interiors packs a number of expected and unexpected entries. What do you think? Do you agree with all the cars on this list? If no, what model would it be and what will you replace it with?