Automaker Skoda may not be familiar to American readers, but it is an important part of the VW Group in Europe. Think of it like Pontiac was to Chevrolet, before GM unceremoniously killed the brand to avoid bankruptcy in 2009. Skoda makes a version of the Passat called the Superb, but in this case there’s at least some of the car that doesn’t. totally lives up to its name.
The Superb’s new digital gauge cluster appears to have been jammed into the dash and nailed right in front of the old analog unit. The infotainment screen is also large and protruding, but at least it appears somewhat framed by the dashboard. The cluster is inexcusable though and the bezel around the screen is massive. Looks like they asked Me to do it.
What is unusual is that the interior of the Volkswagen Passat, which is actually the same car, does not look like this. The display itself may actually be the same part, but it’s integrated into the cluster in a much more aesthetically pleasing way. There aren’t even any visible nail heads. Very impressive.
To be honest, I think a lot of car manufacturers don’t really know what to expect when it comes to their customers’ interior design preferences. The smartphoneification of everything means that some people like the fact that there is a big screen in their car. It’s so pretty, so pleasant to the touch, it feels good. Others don’t like it at all, considering it a big rectangular distraction that’s harder to use than hard buttons.
Whichever side of the fence you land on, I think we can all agree that there are better ways to do this than Skoda’s approach. If you’re going to throw a screen into a car, at least make it look like you didn’t literally throw it away.
