Penton's WardsAuto Announces 10 Best Interiors of 2014

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Penton's Ward's "10 Best Interiors" list for 2014 includes a wide range of vehicle types, including a pickup truck, a few sporty compacts, a high-performance coupe, a trail-ready CUV, two high-end luxury cars and an ultra-luxury Rolls-Royce.

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WardsAuto editors selected the top passenger compartments after spending February and March evaluating 41 vehicles that were all-new or sported interiors that have been significantly upgraded. The winners will be recognized during a special ceremony at the WardsAuto Interiors Conference being held May 21 at The Henry hotel in Dearborn, MI.

This year's winners:

• Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (General Motors Co.)
• Chrysler 200C (Chrysler Group LLC)
• GMC Sierra Denali (General Motors Co.)
• Jeep Cherokee Limited (Chrysler Group LLC)
• Hyundai Equus Ultimate (Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd.)
• Kia Soul+ (Kia Motors Co. Ltd.)
• Mazda3 (Mazda Motor Corp.)
• Mercedes-Benz S550 (Daimler AG)
• Rolls-Royce Wraith (Rolls-Royce Holdings plc)
• Volkswagen GTI (Volkswagen AG)

To determine the winners, editors drive the vehicles during their routine commutes and submit score sheets ranking each interior based on several criteria, including materials, ergonomics, comfort, safety, value, fit-and-finish and overall design. Scores also are applied based on the user-friendliness of the human-machine interface and the ability to link mobile phones and access vehicle information. Editors have been posting video reviews of the nominees, and full write-ups on each winner will begin posting April 21 at http://wardsauto.com.

"This year's list is the most diverse we've ever had, from affordable compacts to ultra-luxury cars such as the $375,000 Rolls-Royce Wraith" says WardsAuto World Editor-in-Chief, Drew Winter. "In each case, the interior plays a pivotal role in establishing the vehicle's brand character, and making it intensely desirable to buyers. Massaging seats, headliners that turn into a planetarium and autonomous driving features are just a few features that make this year's 10 best interiors really special."

In addition to the awards being presented in a ceremony during the WardsAuto Interiors Conference, Ward's expects to have all ten winning vehicles on display at the event for attendees to experience and judge the interiors for themselves. The ceremony will include a live video review inside each vehicle, highlighting the key features that earned each interior its honor. Registration information for the conference is at http://autointeriors.com.

About WardsAuto
WardsAuto is a world-leading provider of auto industry news, data and analysis, having served the industry's information needs for more than 85 years. WardsAuto World is a monthly magazine serving automotive professionals around the world. The twice-monthly newsletter WardsAuto Engine & Technology Update provides analysis of engineering advancements and technical issues. WardsAuto.com is an online subscription service delivering all the industry news, data and analysis compiled by WardsAuto. A Southfield, MI-based division of Penton Inc., WardsAuto also publishes the weekly industry newsletter Ward's Automotive Reports, the digital tablet magazine WardsAuto Dealer Business, and offers a wealth of other automotive information services including reference annuals, online databases, and customized data reports.

About Penton
Penton is a leading professional information services company that engages and informs millions of professionals every day, helping them grow and solve their most critical business challenges. As a provider of critical workflow solutions and insightful content, marketing services and networking, Penton helps businesses do business in five core growth markets: agriculture, transportation, natural products/food, infrastructure, and industrial design/manufacturing.

Penton is a growth company with a track-record of strong performance and success and is backed by its co-owners: MidOcean Partners and U.S. Equity Partners II, an investment fund sponsored by Wasserstein & Co., LP.

For additional information on the company and its businesses, visit www.penton.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:  
Chris Lamphear
Director of Marketing
Penton Transportation Group
(248) 799-2658
[email protected]

SOURCE Penton