Wow you guys are overly critical...I personally like Ford's layout of its interiors. In fact, I like it a lot. I think the Contour is a terrible Ford interior (Blame it on its non-American birth). The Taurus smokes it hands down.
First of all, the ignition grab wings are great in the Taurus. The ignition switch in the Contour looks like a Honda with the simple chrome insertion point. Very hard to get the key in correctly. The wing guides the key in easily and provides a nice grab point to turn the key.
The multi-function switch is a great piece of art. The wiper AND turn signals are on ONE side of the wheel. I hate the Contour's dual side layout, and Honda putting the headlights on the switch? Silly Honda. I also found the dimmer switch for the interior lights on the gauge pod in the Accord. Again, what a strange and inconvenient place. I also prefer the hazard switch on top of the steering wheel and not over by the radio in neverland. Honda again is very bad in placement of its controls.
Ford puts all of the main controls in very easy reach of the driver, and the instruments are very easy to read. I think the green glow is a bit boring (Audi interior lighting is hands down the best in my book) but it works. I think you guys are very foreign biased and do not understand why so many people like more old fasioned sedans like the Taurus. They are roomy, comfortable, and they don't have controls all over the place.
I don't really like my Contour, but I got a good deal on it, and it still has a good strong Ford motor, with a decent enough transmission. Again, I wish it were rear-drive, or had the AX4N automatic, but I can't expect a Japanese auto manufacturer (Mazda) to make a transmission to my liking. Call me biased? Maybe I am, but there is a reason why the Taurus did so well, and it's not just because it was affordable. There are lots of small but simple things that Ford does that makes driving very easy. The Contour is not a true Ford to me. My left foot still tries to push the e-brake down when I park. I miss it down there. Too much waste of space by the center console.
By the way, I am 19 years old, so don't call me old fashioned. I do not hate all things foreign, and I am not a red state conservative who thinks immigration should be illegal. I do however believe that you guys need to stop believing the majority of car magazines that continue to ignore what Ford and even GM do so well in their simple but very practical interiors. It's the young, small flashy cars that buyers want. *rolls eyes to ceiling* Best car I have ever been in was our old 86 Mercedes 500 SEL. There is nothing like the look and feel of an old German sedan.
