How to Get Automotive Configurator UX Right
Interfaces for configuring a vehicle's trim, options and finance before inquiry or order.
Priya Raghunathan
Why does it matter?
Configurators involve dependent options, long sessions and prices that change with each choice.
What are the numbers?
- Option dependencies some options require or exclude others
- Price updates totals change with each selection
- Session length configurations are built over several visits
- Availability configured vehicles may have long lead times
What should I do?
- Explain why options are unavailable
- Update totals visibly with each change
- Let customers save and share configurations
- Show realistic lead times
- Summarize the configuration before inquiry
What should I avoid?
Avoid:
- Silent option conflicts
- Prices revealed only at the end
- Configurations lost between visits
- Lead times omitted entirely
When should I get help?
Short answer Bring in help when configurators lose customers mid-build.
Where this comes from
- Federal Trade Commission — Advertising FAQs: A guide for small business
- Nielsen Norman Group — Usability heuristics
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
Working on something like this?
We take on UI & UX Design work for teams who want it done once, properly. Tell us what you are building and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right studio for it. Start a project.
Where to go next
Spotted something wrong? Report an error on this page. We correct on the page and say what changed.
