In our Pontiac G8 road test, we noted the interior seems to have been inspired by Audi's design playbook. At night, the controls and gauges illuminate in Audi-like red and white.
However, there's something missing in this photo...the dopey gauge display.
The more I drive our G8, the more this display just irks me. OK, I know, I know, I have 13 batteries and almost three oils! Enough!
If this were my car, I'd have to figure out how to turn it off permanently or blank it off with plastic.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor
johnmarco says:
12:44 PM, 07/ 2/08
Seems like lots modern cars are guilty of info overload. Recently posted on in the Ford Focus and Accord posts. There may be a serious aftermarket for decontenting/turning off all of the crud.
Worst offender? GT-R. It's silly actually what they have in that thing.
willin58 says:
12:45 PM, 07/ 2/08
Good thing those LED gauges have been eliminated (or moved) for the 'O9MY.
cah11705 says:
12:50 PM, 07/ 2/08
Deleting those gauges adds more class to the interior and makes it look more modern because those gauges looks cheap and dated
rayainsw says:
12:52 PM, 07/ 2/08
Two changes that are significant ( for me ) in the 2009s: XM and no Atari Display...
- Ray
Waiting to see the new 2009 colors - on cars...
subytrojan says:
12:57 PM, 07/ 2/08
"The more I drive our G8, the more this display just irks me. OK, I know, I know, I have 13 batteries and almost three oils! Enough!"
Thanks for the laugh of the day, Brent! =Þ
I hope the three of you have a safe trip down to SoCal and back over the next few days.
hondacura4 says:
02:40 PM, 07/ 2/08
I can see the Audi-like design theme but I certainly dont see the Audi-like materials and execution.
mnorm1 says:
02:46 PM, 07/ 2/08
I don't mean to go numerical hysterical about this, but how are these any dopier than the red led/lcd display in the Audi R8?
I haven't seen the R8s in person, only pictures. I have seen the G8, and while I agree they are a little dated looking, they didn't elicit a strong response. What am I missing?
lime679 says:
03:34 PM, 07/ 2/08
The fact that the G8 has such a large screen with NO navigation within it is such a waste in my opinion. I would feel cheated everytime I looked at it and saw how large the date and time are. Well I don't own one so GREAT!
m_thrizzle says:
03:37 PM, 07/ 2/08
Electricians tape will fix those anoying battery and oil gauges. I just hope I never see a G8 posting about the engine seizing due to low oil or that the battery is dead and the car won't start! hahaha
firstwagon says:
06:19 PM, 07/ 2/08
"Seems like lots modern cars are guilty of info overload"
How can you possibly have too much info? Why would anyone want to ride around in the dark as to what the car was doing?
Seems much more important then some trendy nav system.
billt9 says:
08:39 PM, 07/ 2/08
I want that battery gauge in my car!
That's a great gauge!
It's great for turning your engine off and leaving the car on just accessory, whenever I can. And it gives me the peace of mind that I won't run my battery down and have to call for a jump or a tow truck.
With today's fuel prices, why would you not want a battery gauge? It should be standard in all cars. Along with automatic engine shut off.
cruiserhead1 says:
10:30 PM, 07/ 2/08
battery meter I understand: 12V to 13V is normal
but what is 3 oils?? LOL
1487 says:
05:37 AM, 07/ 3/08
"I can see the Audi-like design theme but I certainly dont see the Audi-like materials and execution."
What do you mean by "execution"? The interior is well put together and completely functional. I don't see how its executed any worse than an Audi interior. The materials arent as good as an A4 but the car is $32k loaded and larger than an A6.
dougtheeng says:
06:04 AM, 07/ 3/08
From the photo, this car looks pretty good inside at night. I am glad they kept the red lighting scheme, as that always reminds me of Pontiac.
As for the battery/oil info, the display doesn't really bother me and wouldn't affect my decision on the car.
hondacura4 says:
03:44 PM, 07/ 3/08
"What do you mean by "execution"? The interior is well put together and completely functional. I don't see how its executed any worse than an Audi interior. The materials arent as good as an A4 but the car is $32k loaded and larger than an A6."
Finish! Ive seen several of these cars at my local Acura/Pontiac dealer and while its a lot of car for the money the interior isnt up to my standards. To me the Malibu's interior is more inviting and has the percieved quality the G8's interior lacks.
1487 says:
05:28 AM, 07/ 5/08
I am more concerned about interior styling and functionality than the softness of the plastics. Plastic pliability is a useless measure of interior quality. The Malibu's interior has a more American look to it and is warmer but that is how it should be. The G8 is a foreign car with a more subdued foreign interior design. I would think that would be appealing to someone who likes Hondas. The G8's interior looks like it could have come from a non American brand while the Malibu's interior is unmistakenly American in design.
pantherblack says:
10:16 PM, 07/ 5/08
I just purchased a G8 GT 2009 model two days ago, and I have to say it is amazing. The battery/oil atari terminal is off unless you need it, and it has Satellite Radio, the two options that were a concern for me. There is only 800 G8 Gt's that will be released in Canada this year (to my understanding) was glad I was able to get the options I wanted. As for the interior, I think after driving the Malibu, the G8 has a better interior hands down. I admit I do like the European look and the minimalist interior, each to their own I guess.