Best interior design of current gen cars
Discussion
Muddle238 said:
Seeing as there has been mention already of the Peugeot 3008, 508 and DS7 Crossback, I thought I'd just throw this into the mix:
Citroen DS5. The Mk1 had a screen but it didn't become touchscreen until the Mk2, instead the early cars have a wheel control gadget similar to an iDrive system. As a result you have a lot more physical buttons and switches, often finished nicely in chrome or with knurled rotary effects.
I have one lying about somewhere, had it almost four years now and despite what some say about flaky French interiors, these modern Peugeot, Citroen and DS cars have anything but flaky interiors - mine is absolutely silent on the move, not a single squeak, buzz or rattle. Plus all the toys still work perfectly!! For those who like lots of buttons and switches, there are over 100 in the DS5 on high spec examples.
For a long journeys, this car is a lovely place to be.
Yeah the DS5 interior is great, the whole aeronautic feel with the switches on the roof...I love buttons!Citroen DS5. The Mk1 had a screen but it didn't become touchscreen until the Mk2, instead the early cars have a wheel control gadget similar to an iDrive system. As a result you have a lot more physical buttons and switches, often finished nicely in chrome or with knurled rotary effects.
I have one lying about somewhere, had it almost four years now and despite what some say about flaky French interiors, these modern Peugeot, Citroen and DS cars have anything but flaky interiors - mine is absolutely silent on the move, not a single squeak, buzz or rattle. Plus all the toys still work perfectly!! For those who like lots of buttons and switches, there are over 100 in the DS5 on high spec examples.
For a long journeys, this car is a lovely place to be.
Only problem with the DS5 is the very untypical hard suspension. Had they offered the Hydramatic it would have made the highly desirable.
Tuvra said:
Lexus GS is a very nice place to be, it was the reason I bought one:-
Mine has lovely silver seats with black piano wood, I love it
+1Mine has lovely silver seats with black piano wood, I love it
I have a GS300h and I love the interior. The design is good, but the build quality is from another planet. You feel that you could detonate a bomb in there and nothing would break.
Muddle238 said:
Seeing as there has been mention already of the Peugeot 3008, 508 and DS7 Crossback, I thought I'd just throw this into the mix:
Citroen DS5. The Mk1 had a screen but it didn't become touchscreen until the Mk2, instead the early cars have a wheel control gadget similar to an iDrive system. As a result you have a lot more physical buttons and switches, often finished nicely in chrome or with knurled rotary effects.
I have one lying about somewhere, had it almost four years now and despite what some say about flaky French interiors, these modern Peugeot, Citroen and DS cars have anything but flaky interiors - mine is absolutely silent on the move, not a single squeak, buzz or rattle. Plus all the toys still work perfectly!! For those who like lots of buttons and switches, there are over 100 in the DS5 on high spec examples.
For a long journeys, this car is a lovely place to be.
Funny isn’t it? Everyone loves the DS5 and hates touchscreens, but when Porsche bought out the new macan which has lots of buttons, it got royally slagged off, which is a shame as I think it’s a nice interiorCitroen DS5. The Mk1 had a screen but it didn't become touchscreen until the Mk2, instead the early cars have a wheel control gadget similar to an iDrive system. As a result you have a lot more physical buttons and switches, often finished nicely in chrome or with knurled rotary effects.
I have one lying about somewhere, had it almost four years now and despite what some say about flaky French interiors, these modern Peugeot, Citroen and DS cars have anything but flaky interiors - mine is absolutely silent on the move, not a single squeak, buzz or rattle. Plus all the toys still work perfectly!! For those who like lots of buttons and switches, there are over 100 in the DS5 on high spec examples.
For a long journeys, this car is a lovely place to be.
Julian Thompson said:
About that I drive thing - it’s still total rubbish in my opinion. Whenever I drive anywhere in my 4 series with the nav thing it’s always a complete faff to set the destination and functions like “end route guidance” are buried sub menus deep. Pretty much it’s unusable safely without your passenger doing it for you. So much graphical style over logic. Pants
I find iDrive works well for most stuff, except for the sat nav, which is fiddly like you say. Thankfully the voice recognition works well ("drive to <postcode>", "drive home", or "end route guidance" as does the ConnectedDrive app on the phone, which lets you look up a destination and then send it to the car, so it's waiting for you when you get in. I tend to use these to set nav destinations rather than the iDrive controller.Edited by Limpet on Saturday 17th November 19:38
I cannot understand the whole "I want buttons and knobs not a touchscreen, that way I can use them when driving" mindset. In my experience (admittedly I've only been driving on a regular basis for around 1 year and 9 months) the touchscreen is far far easier.
My car is a Citroen C1, so not technologically advanced in the slightest and as a result it doesn't have that many buttons, knobs and dials. I still cannot remember where everything is, and need to look down to turn the heater on or just change the direction of the air (owned the car for about 2 and a half years!)
However, I can easily change the radio station or make a phonecall etc (both operated through the screen) without looking away.
Maybe it's a generation thing? Being 19 most of my technology in life has been touchscreen, while those who are middle aged etc will have had original Nokia's (I had one as well, albeit for a very short amount of time) for many years and so are used to buttons etc. Thus making each easier for the respective individuals/age groups.
My car is a Citroen C1, so not technologically advanced in the slightest and as a result it doesn't have that many buttons, knobs and dials. I still cannot remember where everything is, and need to look down to turn the heater on or just change the direction of the air (owned the car for about 2 and a half years!)
However, I can easily change the radio station or make a phonecall etc (both operated through the screen) without looking away.
Maybe it's a generation thing? Being 19 most of my technology in life has been touchscreen, while those who are middle aged etc will have had original Nokia's (I had one as well, albeit for a very short amount of time) for many years and so are used to buttons etc. Thus making each easier for the respective individuals/age groups.
DukeDickson said:
unsprung said:
if you don't mind too much some exuberance from other side of the pond...
Genesis G70
launching now for 2019 model year
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a23391020...
http://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/24234/2019-genesi...
It appears to have a super cheap tablet glued to the top of the dash, so royally stuffed, regardless of any surprising material choice or other cohesion.Genesis G70
launching now for 2019 model year
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a23391020...
http://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/24234/2019-genesi...
Maybe just me, but no current interior that could be considered top dollar could have the prominent screen, especially if rather budget & proud.
it even has a trapezoidal shape so as to expertly finish the stack
in my opinion these interiors by Genesis are smart and with just the right amount of sumptuous
Shermanator said:
I cannot understand the whole "I want buttons and knobs not a touchscreen, that way I can use them when driving" mindset. In my experience (admittedly I've only been driving on a regular basis for around 1 year and 9 months) the touchscreen is far far easier.
My car is a Citroen C1, so not technologically advanced in the slightest and as a result it doesn't have that many buttons, knobs and dials. I still cannot remember where everything is, and need to look down to turn the heater on or just change the direction of the air (owned the car for about 2 and a half years!)
However, I can easily change the radio station or make a phonecall etc (both operated through the screen) without looking away.
Maybe it's a generation thing? Being 19 most of my technology in life has been touchscreen, while those who are middle aged etc will have had original Nokia's (I had one as well, albeit for a very short amount of time) for many years and so are used to buttons etc. Thus making each easier for the respective individuals/age groups.
An interesting counter, but I still hate them! S's 2015 Insignia has touch screens, and I find they take concentration away from driving. What it must be like using a Tesla Model 3 I dread to think. Maybe I am becoming an old fart (41) My car is a Citroen C1, so not technologically advanced in the slightest and as a result it doesn't have that many buttons, knobs and dials. I still cannot remember where everything is, and need to look down to turn the heater on or just change the direction of the air (owned the car for about 2 and a half years!)
However, I can easily change the radio station or make a phonecall etc (both operated through the screen) without looking away.
Maybe it's a generation thing? Being 19 most of my technology in life has been touchscreen, while those who are middle aged etc will have had original Nokia's (I had one as well, albeit for a very short amount of time) for many years and so are used to buttons etc. Thus making each easier for the respective individuals/age groups.
You can't blanket say touchscreens are better or buttons are better. If well designed they will both be easy to use.
When a touchscreen hides heated seats controls in a menu within a menu, that's a backwards step compared to having a single button you press.
My R56 Mini has the fog light switches right at the bottom of the centre console, behind the gear lever. Maybe it's a retro touch but ergonomically it's a really bad design choice and more often than not I open the windows rather than turn the fog lights on.
When a touchscreen hides heated seats controls in a menu within a menu, that's a backwards step compared to having a single button you press.
My R56 Mini has the fog light switches right at the bottom of the centre console, behind the gear lever. Maybe it's a retro touch but ergonomically it's a really bad design choice and more often than not I open the windows rather than turn the fog lights on.
Fermit and Sarah said:
An interesting counter, but I still hate them! S's 2015 Insignia has touch screens, and I find they take concentration away from driving. What it must be like using a Tesla Model 3 I dread to think. Maybe I am becoming an old fart (41)
I will point out that the Model 3/Model S/Model X way of infotainment system is my idea of hell! There needs to be a balance, which the vast majority of cars manage, Tesla don't!Brainpox said:
You can't blanket say touchscreens are better or buttons are better. If well designed they will both be easy to use.
When a touchscreen hides heated seats controls in a menu within a menu, that's a backwards step compared to having a single button you press.
My R56 Mini has the fog light switches right at the bottom of the centre console, behind the gear lever. Maybe it's a retro touch but ergonomically it's a really bad design choice and more often than not I open the windows rather than turn the fog lights on.
Yes, a balance is needed. Should have pointed that out!When a touchscreen hides heated seats controls in a menu within a menu, that's a backwards step compared to having a single button you press.
My R56 Mini has the fog light switches right at the bottom of the centre console, behind the gear lever. Maybe it's a retro touch but ergonomically it's a really bad design choice and more often than not I open the windows rather than turn the fog lights on.
Many people think all touchscreens are crap though
To elaborate on what I said before, it’s not about whether a touchscreen or a dial or a switch is present, it’s about primary safety. Any action that can only be accessed using an interface that requires you to take your visual attention from the road & surroundings is detrimental to your control of the vehicle.
Changing the radio is something you might want to do, but you can wait x seconds while you pull out of a junction/whatever. Needing to change the air flow because your windows are misting up, or to flick on the wipers as it’s starting to rain, are things that can’t/shouldn’t wait.
By putting the controls for the air distribution in a touchscreen, you’re forcing the user to divert attention to the touchscreen itself, rather than the road, at precisely the point the driver needs to concentrate more on the road, as the view out has been decreased in acuity. It’s therefore less safe. (Would anyone consider replacing a column stalk for the wipers with a touchscreen button in a sub-menu? Don’t think so).
Don’t get me wrong, I am not anti-touchscreen, and for things like Navigation/ Entertainment/ Handsfree ‘phone, I have no issue at all with one. Indeed, I’ll sync my ipad to the car I get tomorrow evening at the airport & happily use the touchscreen to select tracks while I’m driving along. I’m more than confident that the majority of drivers, the majority of the time will be able to use a touchscreen sufficiently well that incidents won’t occur.
However, at an absolute level, I believe touchscreen control of HVAC is inherently more dangerous than that of knobs/sliders & therefore I will not buy a car that features it. Good design is also about suitability of usage, not just aesthetics.
Changing the radio is something you might want to do, but you can wait x seconds while you pull out of a junction/whatever. Needing to change the air flow because your windows are misting up, or to flick on the wipers as it’s starting to rain, are things that can’t/shouldn’t wait.
By putting the controls for the air distribution in a touchscreen, you’re forcing the user to divert attention to the touchscreen itself, rather than the road, at precisely the point the driver needs to concentrate more on the road, as the view out has been decreased in acuity. It’s therefore less safe. (Would anyone consider replacing a column stalk for the wipers with a touchscreen button in a sub-menu? Don’t think so).
Don’t get me wrong, I am not anti-touchscreen, and for things like Navigation/ Entertainment/ Handsfree ‘phone, I have no issue at all with one. Indeed, I’ll sync my ipad to the car I get tomorrow evening at the airport & happily use the touchscreen to select tracks while I’m driving along. I’m more than confident that the majority of drivers, the majority of the time will be able to use a touchscreen sufficiently well that incidents won’t occur.
However, at an absolute level, I believe touchscreen control of HVAC is inherently more dangerous than that of knobs/sliders & therefore I will not buy a car that features it. Good design is also about suitability of usage, not just aesthetics.
Shermanator said:
Brainpox said:
You can't blanket say touchscreens are better or buttons are better. If well designed they will both be easy to use.
When a touchscreen hides heated seats controls in a menu within a menu, that's a backwards step compared to having a single button you press.
My R56 Mini has the fog light switches right at the bottom of the centre console, behind the gear lever. Maybe it's a retro touch but ergonomically it's a really bad design choice and more often than not I open the windows rather than turn the fog lights on.
Yes, a balance is needed. Should have pointed that out!When a touchscreen hides heated seats controls in a menu within a menu, that's a backwards step compared to having a single button you press.
My R56 Mini has the fog light switches right at the bottom of the centre console, behind the gear lever. Maybe it's a retro touch but ergonomically it's a really bad design choice and more often than not I open the windows rather than turn the fog lights on.
Many people think all touchscreens are crap though
The only buttons on the centre console are for door locks, hazard lights, rear screen heater and front screen fans. For the radio/media, phone, fans/air con and car settings, it's got soft keys around the screen. Sat nav is your phone's Carplay/Android Auto app when you plug it in.
It has got steering wheel and voice control for a lot of it, but I wouldn't fiddle with the screen while I was driving.
Prinny said:
Don’t get me wrong, I am not anti-touchscreen, and for things like Navigation/ Entertainment/ Handsfree ‘phone, I have no issue at all with one. Indeed, I’ll sync my ipad to the car I get tomorrow evening at the airport & happily use the touchscreen to select tracks while I’m driving along. I’m more than confident that the majority of drivers, the majority of the time will be able to use a touchscreen sufficiently well that incidents won’t occur.
I agree with the first point. A sat nav is used once, at the beginning of the journey. On the wifes car if Radio one are playing a song I hate I have to use the touch screen to come off the Nav, select another radio station, press it three more times to get it to do it, press it again for another station as it responds 'station not available'. The alternative would be sliding my finger over a row of preset buttons whilst keeping my attention on the road. Julian Thompson said:
flatso said:
In a standardised world with 2000 cc engines and speed cameras everywhere the inside atmosphere is starting to be a huge selling point for me. I am absolutely impressed by the new Peugeot interiours, the 3008 and the 508 seem to be at least one product cycle ahead of anyone else in terms of design. So, what other newish cars are out there that can impress with their style inside?
Good grief that looks fabulous! Thanks for posting I had no idea Peugeot were making an effort again.Is the car any good?
I could however see Lion-O sitting in there waving his sword out of the sunroof and screaming.
What happened to elegant and restrained , ie. classy?
others may disagree, but a light tan interior, as used by many OEMs, always seemed rather cheap in appearance -- and sometimes shockingly so
I was delighted when I first stumbled upon the London Tan colour used by Jaguar; I love the tinge of ruddy red that brings this tan to life; it's classical and rich in character (two photos below); of course other OEMs have similar (Volvo in particular comes to mind)
I was delighted when I first stumbled upon the London Tan colour used by Jaguar; I love the tinge of ruddy red that brings this tan to life; it's classical and rich in character (two photos below); of course other OEMs have similar (Volvo in particular comes to mind)
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