WardsAuto names 2026 Best Interiors and UX winners as cabins swing back to physical controls

By AI, Created 10:09 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – WardsAuto has named the 10 winners of its 2026 Interiors & UX awards, highlighting a shift toward physical knobs and buttons, smarter screens and more sustainable materials. The honorees will be showcased at AutoTech 2026 in Novi, Michigan, as automakers respond to driver frustration with overly complex infotainment systems.

Why it matters: - Automotive interiors are moving back toward simpler, driver-friendly controls for everyday tasks. - The shift could reduce distraction by putting volume, climate and seat controls back within easy reach. - Sustainability is now a core design requirement, not just a premium-trim feature.

What happened: - WardsAuto announced the 2026 Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX winners on May 5, 2026. - The awards recognize vehicles with standout cabins and user experiences in design, materials, comfort and technology. - The 10 winners are Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X, Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige, GMC Acadia Denali Ultimate, Jeep Cherokee Overland 4x4, Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Electric, Nissan Sentra SR, Porsche Macan 4S, Subaru Outback Touring XT, Toyota RAV4 Limited and Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line. - The winners will be celebrated at AutoTech 2026 at the Vibe Credit Union Showplace in Novi, Michigan. - Winning vehicles will be displayed throughout the exhibition hall at the event.

The details: - Wards judges say most of the 2026 test vehicles brought back dedicated knobs and buttons for the controls drivers use most. - Those controls include volume, climate and seat heaters. - The judging pool covered 28 nominee vehicles driven in routine daily use in early 2026. - Scoring included first impression and design harmony, materials, fit and finish, comfort and accessibility, connectivity and infotainment, displays, driver information and physical controls, ADAS confidence and safety, and value versus segment competitors. - The full nominee list also included Acura ADX, Audi Q3, Bentley Continental GT, Cadillac Vistiq, Chevrolet Bolt, Dodge Charger, Ford Maverick Lobo, Honda Passport, Honda Prelude, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Sportage, Lucid Gravity, Mazda CX-5, Nissan Leaf, Polestar 4, Subaru Trailseeker, Toyota C-HR and Volvo EX30. - Winners also reflect growing use of recycled, bio-based and animal-friendly synthetic materials. - WardsAuto says those materials are expanding across price points. - The company links that expansion to EV-buyer demand and tightening U.S. and European rules on end-of-life vehicle waste. - Many winning cabins also emphasize ambient lighting, premium audio, massaging seats and better acoustic isolation. - Touchscreens remain central in some winners, but WardsAuto says those vehicles pair screens with faster processors, useful voice assistants and head-up displays.

Between the lines: - The awards point to a broad industry correction after years of screen-first cabin design. - Consumer frustration with infotainment appears to be forcing automakers to rethink how drivers interact with basic vehicle functions. - The shift suggests that usability is now competing with visual minimalism as a key design goal. - J.D. Power’s 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study found infotainment systems still generate roughly twice as many complaints as exterior-related issues, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay problems, laggy screens, voice-recognition failures and deep menus among the top pain points.

What’s next: - WardsAuto will publish full features on each winner in the weeks before AutoTech 2026. - Credentialed media will receive complimentary access to the awards ceremony and the AutoTech event. - Tickets are available through AutoTech Events. - WardsAuto also directs readers to its LinkedIn page for updates: WardsAuto on LinkedIn.

The bottom line: - Automakers are bringing back tactile controls because drivers still want simpler, safer access to the features they use most.