Truth be told, 90 percent of
car ownership is spent inside the
vehicle. With that, it is no surprise
that the impression felt seated be-
hind the wheel for the frst time is
critical to a new-vehicle purchase.
Last decade, interior designs
often were the last to be funded, as economic woes
impacted the manufacturer’s bottom line. Interi-
ors became the afterthought and frequently were
sourced last. With few exceptions, interiors back
then could have qualifed for federal disaster relief.
In today’s competitive global market, automakers
are keenly aware of their one chance to make a good
frst impression on new-car buyers considering their
product line.
Of the nearly 1,000 vehicles at this year’s Chicago
Auto Show, many will fnd their way onto perspec-
tive buyers’ shopping lists. But like a pair of shoes,
not all vehicles are a good ft for everyone.
Graceful Curves
Sweeping contours and attractive interior colors
are pleasing accents that draw consumers into the
comfortable confnes of many 2013 models on the
Chicago Auto Show foor. General Motors is among
the frst of the domestic manufacturers to bring pod-
like cabin contours to their mid-size sedan line-up.
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ seen at the
General Motors exhibit wraps the driver and front
passenger in personal space surrounded by rich two-
tone interior accents. Foot well space is generous for
both front occupants with seat travel that can easily
accommodate legroom for those over six-feet tall.
GM’s Buick Division highlights the 2013 Buick
LaCrosse passenger quarters with slim slivers of soft
blue ambient light that bring a cool hue to the soft-
touch dashboard and front door panels for an added
touch of class and refnement for evening driving
pleasure.
Intuitive interior surroundings fll the 2013 Lin-
coln MKS, built locally at the Chicago Assembly
Plant. As far as Lincoln is concerned, button-busy
dashboards are history, replaced by sleek controls
that manage a variety of functions by sliding a
fnger across a thin horizontal crystal on the center
stack. The luxury brand’s MyLincoln Touch display
crowns the console with a split touch-screen that af-
fords driver and front passenger operation of several
cabin functions including navigation, simultane-
ously.
European Influence
Ford Motor Company’s redesigned 2013 Ford Fu-
sion escorts a Blueblood look to the midsize sedan
segment with a front end design that mirrors a strik-
ing resemblance to the British-built
Aston Martin.
But unlike the pricey Aston Martin,
the $23,000 Ford Fusion comes with
a usable back seat that can be en-
joyed by adults for a trip across town
or cross-country with no shortage of
space for their gear in the trunk.
Germany’s Volkswagen Passat keeps
its 2013 model intact with few interior
changes over last year’s model, with
rear seat knee and legroom that rivals
By Jim Jackson
Freelance Automotive Journalist
Driving an Interior Revival
CHICAGO AUTO SHOW 2013
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More Than100,000 Veh i c l es Jus t A Cl i ck Away…Dr i veCh i cago. com