Vehicle Design Reviews: Tested Picks for 2026
Aerodynamics, lighting and interiors, judged on how they feel every day.
Vehicle Design
Updated 2026
Vehicle design decides what a car looks like, how it cuts through the air, how easy it is to see out of and how much a small repair costs. This section covers the design trends that affect ownership rather than the ones that only affect the press photos.
What this category covers
We cover aerodynamics, lighting, materials, interior layout and the controls you use every day. We also look at visibility, storage and repairability, because those are the parts of design that follow you home.
How we judge design
We sit in the car, check the blind spots, touch the materials and ask what a low-speed impact would cost. A shape that looks dramatic but makes daily life harder is described as such, however good the launch film was.
Where to start
Start with the exterior design guide for aerodynamics and lighting, then read the interior trends guide before you choose a trim or a screen layout.
