Wards Auto’s Top 10 User Experience winners

What could be worse than purchasing a car and finding out that it lacks some of the most common features inside? Wouldn’t it be a mess if you’re unable to manage the infotainment system or adjusting the climate control in a rather comfortable manner? After all, switching and toggling between these common functions is something that you expect from the cars in every range. 

This is where the famous Wards Auto comes into the picture. Wards Auto is a leading provider of insights and analysis on different automobiles. Its job is to test and find out the user-friendliness of the interior technology, features, and functionality. In this guide, we have listed Wards Auto’s top ten vehicles offering the best user experience for 2020.

The last year had some uncertain competition and some unusual challenges, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. It restricted the range of vehicles that the judges could get their hands on. However, a total of 18 cars were judged and rated. So. let’s have a look at the winners -

Audi Q7

The German SUV was the one to top the list. The Audi Q7 received an update this year, featuring a highly customizable multimedia interface. The car now comes with three display screens that make driving fun. It also gets extra marks for all the charging plugs and ports, seamless phone pairing, and second-row climate control.  The car is a great option for tech-savvy buyers. 

BMW X7

Well, how can we skip out on the BMW X7 when talking about the Audi Q7? Similar to the Audi counterpart, the car comes with an appealing range of features for tech-heads. The car is able to suit the environment as per the mood of the occupants with its "Caring Car" menu on the main screen. The best part is that these moods can be accessed through voice commands. Other cabin features are wireless phone charging, massaging seats, eight different USB ports, and leather trim, even in the third row.

Chevrolet TrailBlazer

Chevrolet's latest small SUV is all about comfort and conveyance. It carries a wide variety of features, including an intuitive infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and several driver-assist technologies. The latter includes lane-keep assist, forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, and teen driver technology. 

Ford Escape

The Ford Escape comes with a better and improved Sync 3 infotainment system that allows seamless phone pairing and supports a wide variety of integrations including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa, and Waze. The vehicle also includes features like gauge readings, backup camera images, and navigation maps. Overall, the 2020 Escape is a great offering in terms of equipment.

Hyundai Sonata

The Hyundai Sonata is another offering in the list. The SUV hosts a number of tech goodies like a Bose premium audio system, ambient lighting, and driver-assist systems. Other notable features inside the car include 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, 10.25-inch central display and highly comfortable, ventilated seats to add on to the comfort and convenience of the users.

Kia Seltos

Kia's impressive small SUV also made its position in this list. According to Wards, the engineers have done a great job with Seltos. The major highlights of the car include an impressive infotainment system with 8-speaker Bose audio and different drive-assist systems. Overall, the interior and infotainment make it a reliable crossover. 

Mercedes-Benz CLA250

Mercedes-Benz CLA250 impressed the Wards panel with its quality inputs. The car comprises a touchscreen that includes high-quality images and graphics of the screens. Not just this, the car also includes an augmented-reality navigation system that takes things beyond the present. Besides the navigation, the other notable elements include multi-color in-cabin illumination.

Subaru Legacy

Subaru Legacy comprises appealing UX; the list includes drive-assist systems that are both effective and convenient to use. The judges also liked the sedan's driver drowsiness detection system, adaptive cruise control, USB ports, the high-resolution image on the screen, and Apple Carplay, Android Auto compatibility. 

Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander is the only model that earns its spot in both the top 10 best interiors as well as best UX category. It is fitted with a highly customizable center touchscreen infotainment system that is convenient and easy to use. The system also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Volkswagen's new midsize SUV is also available on the list. The car includes an 8-inch multimedia screen that supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a digital cockpit, and Fender audio system with 12 speakers. Other highlights include wireless phone charging, five USB ports, and electrical outlets among others. 

So, these were the Wards Auto 10 Best User Experience winners. The assessment was done under specific criteria with a focus on the tech-based systems offered in a vehicle.

Also read: Automakers that rule their segments in Asia-Pacific Region