"Lower Priced" New Vehicles with Great Interiors: Autotrader Names Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 for 2023
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ATLANTA, April 20, 2023 -- Vehicle interior design is a blend of art and science, and fortunately for new car buyers, beauty and function can coexist and appear across a wide spectrum of vehicles. In fact, oftentimes designers and engineers turn the limitations of price into gardens of creativity. To highlight the best interiors among the most affordable new vehicles this year, Autotrader, a Cox Automotive company, has named the Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 for 2023.
"Thankfully, inexpensive new cars can still be attractive and functional," said Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader. "Automotive interiors have come quite a long way in the last several years. With every new model year that comes along, we see more and more premium materials and top-notch tech featured in everyday cars appearing in the middle and lower third of the price scale. New-car buyers do not need to sacrifice interior comfort or function just because they are on a budget."
All vehicles on the list are from the 2023 model-year and feature base prices under $50,000; however, buyers can option-up several of the models to drive their prices well above the list's $50,000 limit. All of the 2023 Best Interiors Under $50,000 vehicles – even in lower-trim levels – are still beautiful, comfortable and feature-laden. Below, in alphabetical order by brand, are Autotrader's 2023 choices for 10 Cars Priced Under $50,000 with the Best Interiors:
Autotrader's Best Interiors Under $50,000 for 2023
1. 2023 Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon
Twin midsize trucks, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, are all-new for 2023. Both have embraced the driver-centric, highly functional dashboard this time, throwing symmetry aside for a big, useful interface. As befits a truck, there's lots of practical storage in the cabin and beefy controls for working hands.
2. 2023 Ford Super Duty
The 2023 Ford Super Duty pickup truck has a wide array of configurations, and every Super Duty has a comfortable, roomy cabin with an elegant, functional design. Tick all the boxes, and you'll be surrounded by an interior with luxury and features you'd expect in a high-end SUV. Even at the base level, this work truck just plain works.
3. 2023 Dodge Hornet
Using the same bones as the soon-to-arrive Alfa Romeo Tonale (a Stellantis Group stablemate), the 2023 Dodge Hornet captures the muscle car's transcendent spirit in a compact SUV package. Packed with sporty features like standard paddle shifters, push-button start, sport seats and more, the Hornet's interior has a bold flair to match its exterior's macho pose.
4. 2023 Honda CR-V
Honda probably didn't have to update the CR-V, as it has been one of the top-selling SUVs in the United States for over a decade. But the 2023 Honda CR-V continues the compact SUV's march toward elegance with its new, more spacious interior design. After experimenting with control layout in the last generation, the CR-V returns to big rotary dials for climate control, an actual knob for audio volume, and a crisp, horizontally arrayed dash that makes the SUV feel as wide as the outdoors.
5. 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
The new, all-electric 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 midsize sedan has been collecting awards this season, and we're happy to add our tip of the hat. With an airy cabin and a clean, minimalist interior, the details stand out. The landscape displays, one for the instrument panel and one for infotainment, share a single bezel and give the driver a futuristic view of the road ahead. A flat-bottomed steering wheel hints at a memorable driving experience, and a girder-like center console imparts strength and stability. Adjustable ambient lighting brings the party.
6. 2023 Kia Niro
Available as a hybrid (HEV), a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), or a pure electric (BEV), the 2023 Kia Niro overachieves in many ways. With its stylish and two-toned interior, the Niro has excellent cargo space for a compact SUV and great features for an inexpensive vehicle. Heated and ventilated front seats are standard, for example, as is a power tailgate. The Niro's comfort and solid build quality are beyond its affordable price, no matter which powertrain you choose.
7. 2023 Lexus RX
The midsize luxury SUV that started the segment, the 2023 Lexus RX debuts a new version designed to jolt the competition. The RX exterior has sharpened up, leaving room for the interior to make a similarly crisp and elegant statement. A giant central screen running the latest iteration of Lexus' Enform dominates the dash, but the RX smartly retains simple rotary knobs for vital functions. Gone are the fidgety touchpads in the center console. The whole interior is subdued, calm, and, well, Lexus-like.
8. 2023 Nissan Ariya
A brand-new BEV from Nissan is big news, especially since the venerable Leaf isn't going away. The 2023 Nissan Ariya absorbs learnings from Nissan's BEV experience and pumps up the volume on exterior design, performance and interior design. While the Leaf could sometimes feel very entry-level, the Ariya's interior is more Maxima than Versa, maybe even verging on Infiniti levels of design and finish. Minimalistic and modern, the Ariya has no incidental strokes; everything feels intentional and just right.
9. 2023 Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is the undisputed king of hybrids, the first successful electrified car on U.S. roadways. Toyota isn't wasting its legacy with timid design. The 2023 Prius stuns with the most striking exterior in its history, along with a crisp, modern interior featuring thoughtful details and elegant finishes. Prius hasn't lost its efficiency or interior utility, either, capable of swallowing cargo like an SUV and passengers like a midsize car.
10. 2023 Volvo XC40
The Volvo XC40 underwent its first significant makeover since launching as a 2017 model. Volvo's rebirth under Chinese company Geely's ownership has been remarkable, with a dual-pronged focus on electrification and design. While the XC40's exterior is a smaller echo of the midsize XC60 and large XC90 SUVs, its interior is a haven for Scandinavian design. Filled with sustainable fabrics and vegan leather alternatives, the XC40's interior feels rich and clean, with a genuinely spa-like atmosphere.
To learn more about the Best Interiors Under $50,000 for 2023 from Autotrader, including pricing details, photos, additional vehicle information and available inventory, visit https://www.autotrader.com/best-cars/best-interiors-under-50000.
Vehicle interior design is a blend of art and science. Not only must an interior look good, but it also has to function. This list of best interiors concentrates on what used to be called “bread and butter” vehicles: cars in the middle and lower third of the price scale, usually everyday cars, not high-end luxury cars or exotic showpieces. Fortunately, beauty and function can appear across the spectrum of cars. An inexpensive car does not have to be ugly or hard to use. Sometimes, designers and engineers turn the limitations of price into gardens of creativity. We celebrate that achievement and seek it out in every new vehicle.
How We Chose Our Best Interiors
After we determined which 2023 vehicles qualified for consideration, a group of Autotrader editors conferred on the strengths and weaknesses of each vehicle’s interior. We considered function and layout, comfort and convenience, materials and construction, and overall attractiveness. We thought about what it would be like to own each vehicle and how well its interior might survive the tests of time, both functionally and aesthetically. Finally, after several rounds of knock-down, drag-out email confrontations, we arrived at a list of 10.
We’ve put together this list of 10 cars with base prices under $50,000, offering the best interiors of the 2023 model year for the price. Buyers can add options and features to several vehicles on this list to drive their prices way over our limit, but the lower-trim models are still beautiful, comfortable, and feature-laden. Even though some manufacturers have already unveiled 2024 models and, in some cases, put them on sale, those early interlopers will have to wait for next year to get our recognition. We’ve got to draw the line somewhere — so we’ve drawn it on the calendar.
Here are 10 Cars Priced Under $50,000 with the Best Interiors of 2023 (presented alphabetically by brand).
1. 2023 Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon
Twin midsize trucks, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, are all-new for 2023. Both have embraced the driver-centric, highly functional dashboard this time, throwing symmetry aside for a big, useful interface. As befits a truck, there’s lots of practical storage in the cabin and beefy controls for working hands. The Colorado starts at just over $30,000, while the slightly fancier Canyon begins at almost $37,000. See 2023 Chevrolet Colorado models for sale and See 2023 GMC Canyon models for sale
2. 2023 Ford Super Duty
Starting at just under $44,000, the 2023 Ford Super Duty pickup truck has a wide array of configurations from F-250 to F-350 to F-450, Regular Cab to SuperCab to Crew Cab, 6-3/4-foot to 8-foot bed, and single rear wheel to dually (dual rear wheels). Every Super Duty has a comfortable, roomy cabin with an elegant, functional design. Tick all the boxes, and you’ll be surrounded by an interior with luxury and features you’d expect in a high-end SUV. Even at the base level, this work truck just plain works. See 2023 Ford F-250 models for sale
3. 2023 Dodge Hornet
Using the same bones as the soon-to-arrive Alfa Romeo Tonale (a Stellantis Group stablemate), the 2023 Dodge Hornet captures the muscle car’s transcendent spirit in a compact SUV package. Packed with sporty features like standard paddle shifters, push-button start, sport seats, and more, the Hornet’s interior has a bold flair to match its exterior’s macho pose. Dodge has built some equity with muscle car performance, and the new Hornet, starting at just under $30,000, cashes in. See 2023 Dodge Hornet models for sale
4. 2023 Honda CR-V
Honda probably didn’t have to update the CR-V. It’s been one of the top-selling SUVs in the United States for over a decade. But the 2023 Honda CR-V, starting near $28,500, continues the compact SUV’s march toward elegance with its new, more spacious interior design. After experimenting with control layout in the last generation, the CR-V returns to big rotary dials for climate control, an actual knob for audio volume, and a crisp, horizontally arrayed dash that makes the SUV feel as wide as the outdoors. See 2023 Honda CR-V models for sale
5. 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
The new, all-electric 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 midsize sedan has been collecting awards this season, and we’re happy to add our tip of the hat. Starting at $45,500, it easily limbos under our $50K limit. With an airy cabin and a clean, minimalist interior, details stand out. The landscape displays, one for the instrument panel and one for infotainment, share a single bezel and give the driver a futuristic view of the road ahead. A flat-bottomed steering wheel hints at a memorable driving experience, and a girder-like center console imparts strength and stability. Adjustable ambient lighting brings the party. Bravo, Ioniq 6. See 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 models for sale
6. 2023 Kia Niro
Available as a hybrid (HEV) starting just over $26,500, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) starting just under $34,000, or a pure electric (BEV) starting around $39,500, the 2023 Kia Niro overachieves in many ways. Its interior is stylish and 2-toned, and it has excellent cargo space for a compact SUV and great features for an inexpensive vehicle. Heated and ventilated front seats are standard, for example, as is a power tailgate. The Niro’s comfort and solid build quality are beyond its affordable price, no matter which powertrain you choose. See 2023 Kia Niro models for sale
7. 2023 Lexus RX
The midsize luxury SUV that started the segment, the 2023 Lexus RX rolls on in a new version designed to jolt the competition. Sliding in under our $50,000 limit with a base price of $48,550, the RX exterior has sharpened up, leaving room for the interior to make a similarly crisp and elegant statement. A giant central screen running the latest iteration of Lexus’ Enform dominates the dash, but the RX smartly retains simple rotary knobs for vital functions. Gone are the fidgety touchpads in the center console. The whole interior is subdued, calm, and, well, Lexus-like. And that’s a very good thing. See 2023 Lexus RX models for sale
8. 2023 Nissan Ariya
A brand-new BEV from Nissan is big news, especially since the venerable Leaf isn’t going away. The 2023 Nissan Ariya absorbs learnings from Nissan’s BEV experience and pumps up the volume on exterior design, performance, and interior design. While the Leaf could sometimes feel very entry-level, the Ariya’s interior is more Maxima than Versa, maybe even verging on Infiniti levels of design and finish. Minimalistic and modern, the Ariya has no incidental strokes; everything feels intentional and just right, starting at around $43,000. See 2023 Nissan Ariya models for sale
9. 2023 Toyota Prius
As Omar says in “The Wire,” “You come at the king, you best not miss.” The Toyota Prius is the undisputed king of hybrids, the first successful electrified car on U.S. roadways. Toyota isn’t wasting its legacy with timid design. The 2023 Prius, starting around $27,500, stuns with the most striking exterior in its history and a crisp, modern interior with thoughtful details and elegant finishes. Prius hasn’t lost its efficiency or interior utility, either, capable of swallowing cargo like an SUV and passengers like a midsize. Take that, competition. See 2023 Toyota Prius models for sale
10. 2023 Volvo XC40
Starting around $36,500, the 2023 Volvo XC40 underwent its first significant makeover since launching as a 2017 model. Volvo’s rebirth under Chinese company Geely’s ownership has been remarkable, with a dual-pronged focus on electrification and design. While the XC40’s exterior is a smaller echo of the midsize XC60 and large XC90 SUVs, its interior is a haven for Scandinavian design. Filled with sustainable fabrics and vegan leather alternatives, the XC40’s interior feels rich and clean, with a genuinely spa-like atmosphere. See 2023 Volvo XC40 models for sale
Best Interiors Under $50,000 for 2023
- 2023 Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon
- 2023 Ford Super Duty
- 2023 Dodge Hornet
- 2023 Honda CR-V
- 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
- 2023 Kia Niro
- 2023 Lexus RX
- 2023 Nissan Ariya
- 2023 Toyota Prius
- 2023 Volvo XC40
Jason Fogelson
