Piano black plastic is a disaster, and car manufacturers have been aware of this from the very beginning.

Piano black plastic is a disaster, and car manufacturers have been aware of this from the very beginning.

      Joel Feder

      The latest in car news and reviews, no nonsense.

      Automotive history is replete with poor design trends, and many will quickly point to the increasing prevalence of screen-only interfaces. However, spending a week with the 2026 Volkswagen Golf GTI has highlighted a design feature that has permeated the entire industry but isn’t often discussed: shiny piano black plastic.

      To clarify, Volkswagen, and specifically the 2026 Golf GTI, is not the sole culprit, nor is it the main focus of this piece. It simply served as a reminder that this topic deserves significant attention. More car manufacturers than not are indulging in this unfortunate trend, including premium luxury brands.

      Before exploring numerous instances of this trend across the industry, let’s delve into the reasons behind it, why it’s a dreadful choice, and how inventive automakers are sidestepping the issue.

      Joel Feder

      Shiny piano black plastic spread rapidly throughout the automotive sector because it creates an upscale and expensive appearance for cars at a fraction of the cost of other materials. The material glimmers and shines in the light, giving the entire interior a sleek look, similar to a black lacquer finish. While it lacks the warm feel of wood, shiny piano black plastic doesn’t evoke the coldness of metal or silver plastic.

      The problem can surface almost immediately, as no matter how careful or meticulous a person is, this trim easily becomes scratched, nicked, or marred with regular use. Whether from coins or keys dropped on the center console or a phone slipping from someone’s hand, each imperfection is immediately visible.

      Even in the unlikely event that an item never touches the plastic, fingerprints appear almost instantly, making the surface look dirty. This often leads to someone grabbing a towel to wipe it down, resulting in swirl marks and hazing, akin to paint, dulling the shiny piano black plastic. In the worst cases, micro scratches are evident whenever light reflects off the surface.

      The situation is exacerbated in family vehicles like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, where children may throw items forward or drop toys.

      Hardly any automaker seems resistant to the temptation of using this material. Mercedes-Benz incorporates it extensively in their high-end vehicles. Jeep features it in the Grand Cherokee. Volkswagen has adorned the entire center console and parts of the digital gauge cluster surround with shiny piano black plastic in this week’s Golf GTI. Kia has also included it in the center console of the EV6. Most contemporary Audis are similarly afflicted.

      Joel Feder

      Nonetheless, some automakers have recognized the pitfalls of this material and moved on to better alternatives. Mazda demonstrated that upscale-looking plastic can be created without the risk of easy damage in the CX-90. Lucid, Rivian, and Tesla have opted to avoid it altogether. Cadillac, Volvo, Hyundai, and Genesis use it only sparingly, typically in areas less prone to scratches.

      Regardless of opinions on touchscreens, there are numerous materials that automakers can utilize creatively. The shiny piano black plastic trend needs to be eliminated once and for all.

      Do you have concerns about a design trend? Reach out at tips@thedrive.com.

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Piano black plastic is a disaster, and car manufacturers have been aware of this from the very beginning.

Appearing more luxurious than it actually is only lasts for a few minutes before the harsh truth of its affordability sets in.