Most everyone is familiar with the Ward’s Auto 10 Best Engines award where BMW, Audi and Ford took several honors for 2010, but a less prominent, though perhaps more eye-catching, award given by the magazine is the Ward’s Interior of the Year awards.
The award recipients are chosen through a process that examines all new vehicles for the given model year. For 2010, Ward’s had 40 vehicles, considered finalists meeting the requirements. Vehicles are placed in several different classes and judged based upon interior ergonomics, quality and feel of materials, comfort, fit and finish and overall value.
The winners in each class will be announced in mid-April, but you can continue after the jump to view the list of competitors in each class. It could be argued that many of the vehicles are deserving, but only one per class will be selected. The Buick Regal interior pictured above caught our eye, but tell us your own in the comments below.
WARD’S 2010 INTERIOR OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
POPULAR-PRICED CARS (-$29,999)
Buick Regal
Dodge Caliber
Hyundai Sonata
Kia Forte
Mazda3
Subaru Outback
Suzuki Kizashi
Volkswagen Golf
PREMIUM-PRICED CARS (no cap)
BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo
Buick LaCrosse
Ford Taurus SHO
Infiniti M56
Lexus IS 250C
Nissan Maxima
Porsche Panamera
Mercedes E350 coupe
HYBRID-ELECTRIC VEHICLES (no cap)
Honda Insight
Lexus HS 250H
Nissan Altima Hybrid
Toyota Prius
SPORTS CARS (no cap)
Chevrolet Camaro
Hyundai Genesis coupe
Mazdaspeed3
Nissan Z roadster
POPULAR-PRICED TRUCKS (-$39,999)
Chevrolet Equinox
Honda Accord Crosstour
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Patriot
Kia Sorento
Ram Heavy Duty pickup
Toyota 4Runner
PREMIUM-PRICED TRUCKS (no cap)
Acura ZDX
Audi Q5
Cadillac SRX
Land Rover LR4
Lexus GX 460
Lincoln MKT
Mazda CX-9
Volvo XC60
Toyota Sienna