USER EXPERIENCE IN AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN: A COMPREHENSIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

User Experience Design (UXD) has become a core discipline in modern automotive engineering, shaping the interaction between humans and vehicles through an integration of ergonomics, aesthetics, cognitive psychology, and emerging technologies. This paper synthesizes academic literature to examine the historical development of automotive UX, the critical design factors influencing comfort, interaction, emotional appeal, and safety, as well as the theoretical frameworks underpinning these elements. Foundational concepts such as Norman’s Three Levels of Design, Kansei Engineering, User-Centred Design (UCD), Jordan’s Product Pleasures, and Desmet’s Emotional Model are explored. The modern automotive design process is analysed, highlighting the integration of digital modelling, prototyping, and human feedback. This review concludes that UXD is not only a functional necessity but a strategic differentiator in an era of AI-driven, connected, and autonomous mobility.