Sadly, despite the upgrades,
the cabin quality still doesn't stand up to close scrutiny and feels some way behind its rivals.
The rear seat space and boot space is just about adequate and there is scope for improvement in the overall
cabin quality still.
Not exact matches
The switchgear is now showing its age, particularly since Audi launched newer models like the A4 (now offering neat touches like the Virtual Cockpit display), but at least the
quality is
still good and the overall design
still works well; Audi kept things commendably simple with the A1 and S1's
cabin.
Merc's
cabin is probably
still half a notch behind the Bentley's too - not necessarily in design or technology, because it gets elements like the S - Class's dual - widescreen set - up and supremely supportive AMG sports seats, but in the finer details, such as odd switch carried over from lesser Mercs, or the
quality of hide or wood.
Overall, the materials throughout the
cabin are all high -
quality, and the new look it got in GM's impressive 2007 redesign
still holds up, despite competition from the likes of the Ford Expedition EL.
Its
cabin still impresses in terms of
quality and design, and it nearly matches the Infiniti's level of comfort and convenience features.
As Phil mentioned, the
cabin lacks the material
quality and style of the vehicles it is trying to emulate, but it's
still a very nice place to spend time.
And although boldly styled, the
cabin still lacks the
quality feeling of the Golf GTI.
Our test car had the optional Reserve Package that includes more leather trim, among other features, but while overall materials
quality is good, it's
still too similar to an uplevel Ford model to be considered among the luxury elite; the Cadillac Escalade and QX80
cabins feel considerably richer.
The Lancer is certainly showing its age, but the car
still has many positive
qualities: The styling is attractive, the
cabin is comfortable and fairly spacious, and the price is solid.
The
cabin is
still attractive and the
quality is pretty good, too, but while there is space in the rear for adults, they're unlikely to thank you for the lift.
If there's a criticism it's that the R's elevated abilities do hide the chassis» best from you until you're going very quickly indeed, though they're easy to appreciate on wet and greasy roads - and the R
still features all the regular Golf's best attributes, from handsome styling to a great driving position and
quality cabin.
Beyond the bits you can see — like the new, if
still subdued design language, with its matrix LED headlights, OLED rear light strip and subtle blisters over each wheelarch, and the fresh new
cabin with a high -
quality and ultra-tasteful feel, the A8's aluminium skin is virtually stretching to accommodate the new autonomous functions, active suspension, mild hybrid tech and a new touchscreen - based cockpit.
The result is greater interior space, while a dashboard re-trim in Nappa leather and a technical fabric ensures the
cabin still meets the
quality standards of the regular car.
Ford's offering is
still the best to drive in this class and VW just nicks the
quality prize, though most cars in this class now have pleasingly high -
quality cabins.
There's also the less racy, but
still very welcome, VW group sense of supreme
quality throughout the
cabin, with nicely weighted buttons and sturdy surfaces.
It's a very well - rounded package now, with much more competitive fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures than the earlier model, although it
still comes with a few reservations in areas such as engine refinement and the
quality of some of its
cabin materials.
EXPERTS ARE SAYING With the latest RX 350 you're
still getting all of the above
qualities, plus a smooth V6 engine, comfortable seating for five and a handsome
cabin featuring top - notch materials and assembly
quality.
There may be technologically far more accomplished rivals around but the Continental GT's sumptuously finished
cabin and superb material
quality is
still up there with the best in class.
There are
still some pretty interesting
qualities to one of Acura's sportier models, including the rather spacious interior
cabin and the refined handling characteristics, but if the Japanese brand has any intention to keep up with the times, it's pretty important that it starts with arguably the first thing customers will notice when in the market for a new car.
Driving Dynamics — The S - Class is famed for its stupendous ride
quality and although there has been no change to the suspension, it
still does a great job of filtering the undulating surfaces into the
cabin.
Driving Dynamics - The S - Class is famed for its stupendous ride
quality and although there has been no change to the suspension, it
still does a great job of filtering the undulating surfaces into the
cabin.
The
quality of the plastics could
still do with some improvement and we wish there was more use of soft touch plastics in the
cabin (Most luxurious
cabin in the segment?
And on the road, ride
quality is
still manageable and you no longer have to suffer in a cheap - looking
cabin.
The Chrysler 200 Touring improves quite a bit on its predecessor, the Sebring, but its
cabin quality and tech options
still fall short of what we'd consider entry - level luxury.
That's not to say the
cabin quality is
still top notch, mind.
For 2014, Mitsubishi claims to have reduced NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) levels in the
cabin, as well as suspension ride
quality, but it's obvious both
still require further work.
There are
still some lower -
quality materials in evidence lower down in the
cabin, though.
However, while the overall
cabin experience is a huge improvement over the earlier Corollas, it
still falls short in terms of plastic
quality at some places, especially when compared to the Octavia, Elantra and Jetta.
This is
still not a fully modern
cabin with switchgear and material choices that should worry designers at larger sports car companies, but build
quality inside is good, and commendably free of annoying creaks and rattles.
Materials are of decent
quality, but there is
still a good amount of road noise that seeps into the
cabin.
While German cars
still get better
quality all around, the Levante has some rough edges too and certain parts in the
cabin are also shared with other cars from the FCA stable.
Still, the company has built up a good reputation for reliability, and as the previous Sorento wasn't affected by any major recalls, it's safe to assume this latest model will be hassle - free to own — not least because the
cabin and build
quality have really stepped up a notch.
However, the things RX buyers usually love — serene
cabin, excellent build
quality, decent levels of standard equipment — are
still clearly in evidence.
Though the Fiesta ST can promote a boy - racer vibe that Millennials might have outgrown, its styling is
still attractive and the
cabin employs
quality materials.
Mazda has made good use of
quality materials and have produced a
cabin area which is comfortable, yet can
still yield excitement.
The plastic
quality is good and generous use of soft touch plastic and leather makes the
cabin feel plush, though the fit and finish of the plastics is
still Mahindra - grade.
Even with these minor oversights, the Pacifica's
cabin is
still the nicest in its class in terms of seating flexibility and material
quality.
While Mitsubishi has improved the
quality of the surfaces inside the
cabin, there is
still a low - rent feel to the doors and centre console surrounds.
If you just want to make your way to Australia, there are plenty of cheaper options out there that
still offer high
quality premium
cabins so consider those.
I know that the day will come when my premium
cabin travel days are behind me (mostly) so it always pleases me to see some airlines
still trying to offer a bit of
quality at the back of the aircraft.
Don't let the price fool you, because even though it seems ridiculous just how affordable their villas and
cabins are, rest assured you can
still expect a
quality stay (and have some mula left over for whale watching and Fraser Island day trips).