CNET doesn't put a label on the best or worst design, but from my experience and the images provided, Volkswagen has to have one of the worst designed interfaces (pictured above) as far as design, ease of use and functionality are concerned. It's ugly. The lack of color, dynamic text and labeled side buttons could make it difficult to understand and operate, especially for individuals unfamiliar with multi-faceted media and info systems like those used in vehicles. On the other hand, Cadillac and Chrysler have very intuitive interfaces for their respective media and into centers. Large and clearly labeled touchscreen buttons make ease-of-use exceptional, and the inclusion of the aforementioned tabbing system receives high marks. [CNET]

Gabe and his MINIons over at Motoring File are convinced the next Mini Cooper will be fitted with BMW's iDrive interface, which has been the victim of more negative column inches than "Ishtar," "Waterworld" and Lindsay Lohan's dad combined. Interface geeks that we are, Jalopnik's complaints about iDrive have been directed not at the complexity of it, but the manner in which it sucks a driver's eyeballs from the road (a bad move on the New Jersey Turnpike). According to MF, the Mini system will mitigate distraction issues with voice activation. Nonetheless, the Mini's climate control switches will remain on the center stack, which removes one major iDrive sticking point.

2007 Navigation System to Include iDrive [MotoringFile]

Related:
Italiadesign Giugiaro Puts Fine Italian Hand to Next-Gen Mini [internal]