The automaker Skoda might not be acquainted to stateside readers, however it’s an vital a part of the VW group in Europe. Think of it like Pontiac was to Chevy, earlier than GM unceremoniously killed off the model to keep away from chapter in 2009. Skoda makes a model of the Passat referred to as the Superb, however on this occasion, there’s at the least one a part of the automotive that does not fairly measure as much as its identify.

The Superb’s new digital gauge cluster seems prefer it was wedged into the dashboard and nailed into place proper in entrance of the outdated analog unit. The infotainment display screen is massive and protruding as nicely, however at the least it seems considerably framed by the dashboard. The cluster is inexcusable, although, and the bezel across the display screen is very large. It seems like they requested me to do it.

The uncommon a part of that is that the inside of the Volkswagen Passat, which is successfully the identical automotive, would not seem like this. The display screen itself may very well be the identical half, however it’s blended into the cluster in a way more aesthetically pleasing method. There aren’t even seen nail heads. Very spectacular.

To be truthful, I feel loads of automakers do not actually know what to anticipate relating to their buyer’s inside design preferences. The smartphoneification of all the pieces implies that some folks love the truth that there is a massive display screen of their automotive. It’s so fairly, so good to the touch, it feels good. Others don’t prefer it in any respect, seeing it as a giant rectangular distraction that is tougher to make use of than onerous buttons. 

Whichever facet of that fence you land on, I feel we are able to all agree there are higher methods to do it than Skoda’s method. If you are gonna throw a display screen in a automotive, at the least make it seem like you did not actually throw it in.