Mixed-Methods Evaluation Framework for User Experience in Sporty Automotive Human–Machine Interfaces Development and Empirical Evaluation

Automotive human-machine interface (HMI) design is increasingly expected to support not only usability and safety but also emotional and brand-related user experience. This study develops and examines a multidimensional evaluation framework for sporty automotive HMIs using a sequential mixed-methods design. Qualitative coding of user interviews identified key experience dimensions related to safety, cognitive load, emotional support, aesthetic preference, intelligent adaptation, and social value. Based on these findings, a 22-item measurement scale was developed and tested using 320 valid questionnaire responses. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a six-factor structure, and structural equation modeling showed that cognitive load (β = −0.41) and functional value (β = 0.38) were the strongest predictors of overall user experience satisfaction. A prototype-based evaluation with 15 participants further suggested that the optimized sporty-style interface improved task efficiency and subjective satisfaction. The findings offer an initial evidence-based framework for evaluating user experience in stylized automotive HMIs.