While the exact origin of gloss black plastic, often called "piano black", is hard to pinpoint, its widespread use in car interiors surged over a decade ago. The Detroit Auto Show in 2013 saw an influx of this material across numerous vehicle models.

Compared to the deep, lustrous finish found on Yamaha grand pianos, the gloss black trim in cars, with its mirror-like effect, falls short in sophistication. However, it still imparted a sense of premium quality and shimmered under the bright lights of international exhibitions. For instance, in the 2008 and 2013 Ford Edge models, the plain, durable ABS plastic interior panels were replaced with more upscale gloss black painted accents. Accountants in Detroit, USA, believed customers would pay more for an interior that felt premium, and they proved to be correct.

Today, no significant center console is complete without at least one large infotainment touchscreen, even if it is mounted on the dashboard rather than integrated seamlessly. Car designers recognized that this technological explosion would appear outdated within just a few years of a vehicle's 7-year lifecycle if the old ABS material were retained. In contrast, mirror-like gloss black plastic looked more modern and fit perfectly into this evolving design landscape.

The center console area with gloss black plastic trim in a Mercedes model. Photo: Mercedes

One key factor driving this trend was development cost. Using wood for interior accents offers a unique aesthetic, but processes like grain matching, heat pressing, lacquering, and hours of sanding and clear-coating incur significant expenses. Similarly, carbon fiber details, while lightweight, demand extensive finishing time.

Conversely, gloss black plastic trim can be mass-produced and easily molded to fit most models across an entire product range at a much lower cost.

While gloss black plastic trim may be less costly to replace if damaged compared to wood, it is highly susceptible to scratches. Tiny, hairline scratches appear easily, even from incidental contact with a small dust particle on the surface. Moreover, its mirror-like finish makes polishing out these scratches more challenging.

Beyond scratching, anyone who owns a fingerprint-laden touchscreen phone understands how difficult it is to keep gloss black plastic consistently clean. This is particularly true for family cars that frequently transport children, pets, groceries, and takeout food, leading to an endless accumulation of smudges. Furthermore, light reflection from sunlight or interior lights on the glossy surface can cause uncomfortable glare for occupants.

Much like the gray ABS plastic of the past, what once felt premium with gloss black plastic is now gradually becoming outdated. This trend is even more pronounced as the automotive industry shifts towards sustainable and environmentally friendly materials such as recycled wood or recycled PET plastic. Currently, this does not affect a car's resale value, but in just a few years, an outdated interior could make liquidation more difficult.

In the market, car manufacturers like Toyota, Subaru, and Hyundai frequently equip their interiors with gloss black plastic trim. This can be a standard feature or an option for sedans, hatchbacks, or crossovers priced from 25,000 USD and above.

Even premium or sports-oriented brands adopted this trend. For example, Volkswagen applied a minimalist style to the center console in its Golf GTI line, while Mercedes used a significant amount of gloss plastic in its more affordable C-class line.

Conversely, some manufacturers are beginning to move away from these easily scratched and dirty glossy surfaces. Kia's EV9 model, for instance, uses matte or satin chrome decorative elements to create what the company calls a "living room-like feel". The Honda Civic sedan also limits gloss black plastic trim to door panels and air vents.

Gloss black plastic trim is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. It remains a familiar companion to infotainment screens – which are certainly here to stay – and offers advantages in low production cost, easy molding, and acceptable durability. Therefore, to mitigate its drawbacks, owners might consider keeping a microfiber cloth and a bottle of glass cleaner spray in their glove compartment to maintain the gloss black plastic trim in its best condition.

Minh Quan (via Carbuzz)