The Most Unique Car Interiors: Design and Innovation

The most unique car interiors come from innovation and design risks taken by automakers willing to push the envelope toward the future of comfort and quality.

Today’s cars have interiors that blend comfort, style, safety, and functionality together. Most modern cars feature dashboards dominated by large screens for infotainment and gauge readings, providing the desired information and entertainment needs while on the road. Over the decades of the automotive industry, some movements in car interior design has created the most interesting looks and styles.

Here are some of the most unique car interiors and elements from various decades of this industry.

1901-1907 Oldsmobile Tonneau

The early days of the automotive industry provided us with cars that were basically wagons or carriages with an engine operating the wheels. This Oldsmobile Tonneau provides one of the first interior innovations with a curved dashboard that protects passengers from debris kicked up from the wheels. This was one of the first cars designed with an interior for style and functionality. This Oldsmobile had a nice rear passenger section with a well-padded rear door for added comfort and protection.

1906-1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50 Sliver Ghost Limousine

Rolls-Royce has been at the top of the automotive market for more than 100 years. One of the earliest and most unique car interiors came in the form of the Silver Ghost. This build on the 40/50 chassis gave the world a cabin that looked like a luxurious Pullman passenger car on top of the chassis. The cabin was decked out in amazing fabrics and had overstuffed seats to give passengers the desired comfort and quality. This cabin also featured retractable sunshades, wooden pull-out trays, and a decadent headliner.

1947-1948 Tucker 48

The Tucker 48 was a unique car with the added interior cabin space that comes from a level floor. This level floor was possible because this car had a rear-mounted engine and an electro-vacuum-operated transaxle, which left lots of room for interior space and quality. Like many cars of the decade, the Tucker 48 was wide and accommodating, making it easy to enjoy any seat. There wasn’t a bad seat in this car, ensuring families could get comfortable and enjoy the ride together.

1959 Pontiac Bonneville

We admire two-tone interiors, but this Bonneville took it a step further to give us one of the most unique car interiors we’ve ever seen. The three-tone interior made of leather was something most had never thought of before. This Bonneville wore a sporty style and offered lots of room in the cabin. The tri-color interior lasted until the Bonneville Brougham of the late 1970s, which made this color scheme a success for two decades.

1964 Ford Thunderbird

Elegance was a huge part of the Thunderbird models from the 1960s. These cars had some of the best materials available, which made this muscle car a nearly luxurious model that was fun and impressive on any road. The 1964 Thunderbird featured a swing-away steering wheel to make entry and exit easier for the driver. The dashboard flowed into the console, while the door panels had contours that made this car feel fast and fun. There was an optional tonneau cover to cover the rear passenger section when not in use, which gave this Ford a coupe-like look.

1975 Cadillac DeVille

The Cadillac DeVille has one of the most unique car interiors ever offered in the entire market. This car took styling to new heights with the Maharajah cloth that gave the interior and Indian carpet vibe on the seats. The bold and brash materials used in this car were a theme of the 1970s, which made this Cadillac one of the most elegant and attractive of the decade. By today’s standards, this car would appear garish and overdone, but during its time, the DeVille was one of the most desirable large cars.

2012-Present Tesla Model S

Regardless of how you feel about the Tesla Model S and its driving system, its undeniable that this car brought one of the most interesting interior styles ever seen. Tesla took a minimalist approach to the car with all controls built into the massive touchscreen. This means the dashboard has very few buttons and the overall look is futuristic, stark, sterile, and modern. The Model S also features an optional rear-facing third-row seat, which is a throwback to early station wagons with this same feature.

Which of the most unique car interiors is the one you admire the most? Over the century of the automotive industry, cars and their interiors have changed quite a bit.