The best new car interiors 2024 (2024)

Mercedes Benz S-Class

The Mercedes Benz S-Class saloon oozes the elegance and luxury of a limousine, which is not surprising given that many of them are set to work under such conditions. Lavish in the material choice, a cluster display couples with a 12.8-inch central infotainment touchscreen with haptic feedback – that means it responds like you’re touching a physical button.

The MBUX software suite responds to ‘Hey Mercedes’ and is pretty accurate. What’s more, Daimler is introducing ways to pay from your display, so the future looks even more convenient. For now, there’s a massage feature and fancy smells for a truly relaxing ride.

To find out more, read our full Mercedes-Benz S-Class review

Range Rover

Developed as the comfort version of the Land Rover, the level of luxury would perhaps make a farmer or two grumble about excess. But for both your city and off-roading needs, the Range Rover is utterly superb.

Armchair-like seats cocoon occupants with such embrace, it’s easy to switch off from the world outside. The centre console displays control the climate control and infotainment, though there’s not a complete loss of physical switchgear to digitisation. There’s a customisable cluster display too. Since it’s a Range Rover, there’s no shortage of space and if you opt for the Executive Class rear seating, there’s passenger massages and a fridge.

To find out more, read our full Range Rover review

Tesla Model 3

Tesla’s pioneering approach is so clever that it makes you wonder why it wasn’t done sooner. Doing away with the cluster display altogether, the driver’s key information, such as speed is display at the top right corner of the now-portrait monitor. With a wealth of connectivity, coming from an integrated e-SIM, there’s no relying on your mobile to connect. Netflix and Twitch join the raft of engine-off features.

What’s more, there’s loads of other comfort modes to make those leather seats feel a little more like home. ‘Camp mode’ keeps the cabin temperature ambient if you want to, er, camp in the car. Even pooch is comfortable with ‘Dog mode’ engaged while you pop to the shop.

To find out more, read our full Tesla Model 3 review

Peugeot 208

Peugeot has come on leaps and bounds in its cabin offering in recent years. For the price point especially, the comfort and convenience suits any driver. The ‘piano’-style selection buttons are appealing to drivers that prefer to build up muscle memory and minimise driver distraction – that's harder to do with digitised ones.

The 3D i-co*ckpit is also designed to shape around the driver. It’s subtle but effective. Unlike some of its rivals, the 208’s cluster display is more choosy about the information displayed, making it both uncluttered and brilliant.

To find out more, read our full Peugeot 208 review

Audi Q4 E-Tron

The Audi Q4 E-Tron is typically Audi in its delivery of a comfortable yet futuristic cabin environment. Spacious and set in suitably comfortable seats, the Q4 E-Tron driver is presented with a large central touchscreen, sitting above manual climate controls. The MMI infotainment suite offers a number of connected features, across audio, telephony and navigation.

An augmented reality head-up display, cannily known as the AR-HUD, is an optional extra, but well worth it, if you cover a lot of miles. It’s visible only in the driver’s direct eye-line, displaying a simplified set of navigation cues, and also offering markers when adaptive cruise control is engaged.

To find out more, read our full Audi Q4 E-Tron review

Bentley Continental GT

The Bentley Continental GT delivers an interior worthy of first-class honours. Slide into the immaculate leather, appreciate the exquisite varnished wood interior and relax with the exclusive Naim audio system. Of course, this level of swank and sophistication comes with the respective price tag.

One of the remarkable features of the Continental GT’s cabin is the silence. Despite the Bentley’s power, the peace inside this motor is especially restful. Those less tech-savvy will also welcome the myriad choices Bentley gives their drivers to access climate control and infotainment channels.

To find out more, read our full Bentley Continental GT review

Volkswagen ID.4

The electrification strategy of the VW brand is in full flow. The interior of the Volkswagen ID.4 is nothing short of what we can expect to see in all cars in coming years. Fancy lighting schemes, digitised climate control and a glossy 12.0-inch touchscreen coupled with a 5.3-inch equally glossy cluster display boasting high-resolution graphics are the initial welcome to the driver.

Those lighting schemes are thematic and aren’t just for aesthetics. They determine what colour the visual driver assistants glow, among other things. Sliders, gesture and voice control contribute to the futuristic feel too.

To find out more, read our full Volkswagen ID.4 review

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Perhaps inspired by the original Tesla approach, the Mustang Mach-E features the third generation of Ford’s easy-to-use SYNC infotainment suite, with a large 15.5-inch portrait-oriented centre screen.

The interior of the Mach-E is comfortable, yet minimalist. This is one interior that may not appeal to drivers who like buttons, since most controls have now been digitised. The more simplified cluster display does away with skeuomorphic dials of a speedo and rev counter in favour of numbers, arguably less distracting. The optional panoramic sunroof creates a sense of light and space too.

To find out more, read our full Ford Mustang Mach-E review