While the exterior of a car is certainly important and we automotive journalists never underestimate the importance of a powerful engine, the interior is where you spend the majority of your time. This is where the Riv needs some help. Sliding into the leather driver's seat of the Riviera may make you feel as if you've entered a time warp. Glowing green digital readouts induced eighties flashbacks and the oversized numbering on the gauges made us feel like we were scanning the large-print section of a bookstore. While the large numbers were easy to read, they were so large that they looked comical next to the otherwise stately interior.
Wood trim surrounds the stereo and climate controls, which are uncluttered and ergonomically sound.
We felt comfortable in the plush seats and were happy that they moved electronically in six directions to ensure good driving positions for people of varying shapes and sizes. The top of the dash hangs over the display area in an effort to reduce sun glare on the control panel. While it does accomplish this feat, the stylistic result is most unappealing. This lip also continues along the edges of the doors, making it impossible to rest your arm on the windowsill. Inside, door latches are hard to reach and the doors themselves are long and heavy, requiring occupants to lean far out of the car to pull the door shut after settling into the seat.