ATLANTA, Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether making the grind of a long daily commute, running seemingly endless errands or schlepping kids to and from activities each week, most Americans spend a considerable amount of time inside their cars.  With that in mind, the expert editors at Autotrader recently named the 10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 for 2017.  Each new car on the list offers a standout modern, comfortable, luxurious and/or visually appealing interior within the given price point. 

"You could argue that a car's interior appeal is even more important than its exterior styling, given that most drivers spend far more time experiencing their car from the inside," said Tara Trompeter, managing editor of Autotrader.  "That's why it is so important to find a comfortable interior that works well for your personal preferences and needs." 

Autotrader's 10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 for 2017 offers an inside look at which new mainstream models really showcase the mantra, "it's what's inside that counts." For this list, Autotrader's editors focused on the latest models that have been updated within the last year.  Each of the cars scored a four or better on a five-point evaluation sheet, and the editors then voted on which cars from that small group should make the cut for the 10 best. 

Autotrader's 10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 for 2017
The models below are listed alphabetically and are not ranked.

2017 Audi A4 
Standout interior features of the recently updated A4 include an available full-color gauge cluster screen (an amazing detail not typically seen on models of this price point), high-end materials used throughout the vehicle at all trim levels and a roomier cabin compared to A4s of the past.

2017 Cadillac XT5 
Interior highlights of the all-new XT5 include extremely comfortable seats, a gorgeous leather-lined dashboard, a modern instrument panel and neatly integrated infotainment system, and handsome wood trim throughout the cabin. 

2017 Honda Ridgeline 
Utilitarian yet also nice, which can't be said for all pickup trucks, the new Ridgeline boasts a durable and logical interior with comfortable and roomy seating for front and rear passengers, easy-to-reach controls and an intuitive infotainment system.

2017 Infiniti Q60 
Infiniti's new Q60 model offers an improved stylish interior featuring supple leather seats, a futuristic center control stack with two different screens (one for infotainment controls and one for the navigation system map), and a thick, grippy steering wheel that will surprise and delight driving enthusiasts.

2017 Kia Sorento 
The recently redesigned Sorento boasts a handsome cabin with dramatically improved materials compared to the outgoing model, functional and durable features like sliding rear seats for easy third-row access, and several luxurious options available on the more high-end SX trim.

2017 Lincoln Continental 
Lincoln's all-new flagship Continental proves the brand has come quite a long way, featuring a truly luxurious interior that touts excellent materials, comfortable seats, a roomy rear seat and trunk, and features like the 50/50 split seat bottom extender that can accommodate a wide variety of ultra-comfy driving positions.

2017 Mazda CX-9 
Mazda's recently redesigned midsize SUV features a surprisingly handsome interior with upscale materials, high-quality upholstery and roomy rear seats, an easy-to-read and easy-to-use infotainment system, dashboard and center control area, and a thick steering wheel for driver enjoyment.

2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 
The new C-Class takes Mercedes-Benz interiors up a notch when compared to recent years, with an amazingly elegant center control stack, gauge cluster and steering wheel, high-quality interior materials throughout the cabin and a surprisingly roomy rear seat.

2017 Toyota Prius Prime 
An alternative-fuel vehicle with an alternative interior to match, the plug-in hybrid Prius Prime boasts a cheerful interior with an available giant center screen, white accents and unique cabin features and placements that admittedly may be an acquired taste for some, but love at first sight for others.

2017 Volvo S90 
Volvo's standout interiors in recent years go above and beyond, and the S90 falls in line with tremendously comfortable seats, extremely high-quality materials throughout, an intuitive and handsome giant infotainment screen, and delightful details like huge center climate vents and available simultaneous use of Volvo's native controls and Apple CarPlay on the big touchscreen.

For more information about Autotrader's 10 Best Car Interiors Under $50,000 for 2017, including full editorial commentary on each model with more details describing what makes its interior outstanding, please visit http://www.autotrader.com/best-cars/10-best-car-interiors-under-50000-262250.

About Autotrader 
Autotrader is the most visited third-party car shopping site, with the most engaged audience of in-market shoppers. As the foremost authority on automotive consumer insights and expert in online and mobile marketing, Autotrader makes the car shopping experience easy and fun for today's empowered consumer looking to find or sell the perfect new, used or Certified Pre-Owned car. Using technology, shopper insights and local market guidance, Autotrader's comprehensive marketing solutions guide dealers to personalized digital marketing strategies that grow brand, drive traffic and connect the online and in-store shopping experience.

Autotrader is a Cox Automotive™ brand. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. For more information, please visit http://press.autotrader.com.

About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive Inc. is transforming the way the world buys, sells and owns cars with industry-leading digital marketing, software, financial, wholesale and e-commerce solutions for consumers, dealers, manufacturers and the overall automotive ecosystem worldwide. Committed to open choice and dedicated to strong partnerships, the Cox Automotive family includes Autotrader®, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, vAuto®, Xtime® and a host of other brands. The global company has 33,000 team members in more than 200 locations and is partner to more than 40,000 auto dealers, as well as most major automobile manufacturers, while engaging U.S. consumer car buyers with the most recognized media brands in the industry. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., an Atlanta-based company with revenues exceeding $20 billion and approximately 60,000 employees. Cox Enterprises' other major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications and Cox Media Group. For more information about Cox Automotive, visit www.coxautoinc.com.

SOURCE Autotrader