Are Modern Touch Screens Taking Away Or Adding To The Driving Experience?

In July this year, the Department for Transport opened a call for evidence into roads policing. Nestling in this official announcement was a consideration of whether “advances in car infotainment systems” were linked to a “plateauing” of road death and injury statistics, which have not fallen significantly since 2010.

Similarly, Auto Express frequently receives letters and E-mails such as the one opposite from readers voicing concerns that infotainment touchscreens have either become too complicated, replace too many buttons, are positioned badly, or are awkward to operate.

SanJoseDriver - 10/27/2020 4:08:00 PM

+2 Boost

Pros and cons. The big pro is flexibility an the option to upgrade the UI over times and tech improves. The con is losing some tactile feedback, but like the iPhone you get used to it pretty quickly if it is a quality screen and UI.

valhallakey - 10/28/2020 12:05:52 AM

+2 Boost

I think it should be a combination of the following:
HUD for clear info you need while not taking your eyes off the road, like your speed etc...

Tactile buttons/knobs/switches on the steering wheel and center stack for frequently used functions

Large display for adjusting car less frequently changed functions/settings, navigation and watching movies while you drive.

PUGPROUD - 10/27/2020 4:16:52 PM

+2 Boost

Modern tech provides a plethora of advancements, adjustments and options with an equal amount of complexity and distraction to the driving experience. Would never buy a car again without heads up display, apple car play and distronic cruise control but much more never gets used.

ricks0me - 10/27/2020 6:00:29 PM

+3 Boost

Give me analog plus what PUGPROUD said >>> heads up display, apple car play and distronic cruise control

supermoto - 10/27/2020 7:09:54 PM

+2 Boost

Going to all or mostly touch screens is horrible. There is a reason why the most sophisticated glass cockpit jets have tons of physical controls. No need to dive through 6 levels of menus to change a simple setting.

SanJoseDriver - 10/27/2020 11:01:27 PM

+2 Boost

Modern planes are not all screens as well, at least commercial planes.

MDarringer - 10/27/2020 8:17:26 PM

+2 Boost

They are taking away BIG TIME. They are creating nonstop distraction which diminishes driving enjoyment.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 10/27/2020 8:28:58 PM

+3 Boost

I am not a fan of a LCD cockpit. If I was making high performance cars I would stay away from them. It's supposed to be a machine. And having analog gauges and switches and knobs reinforces that fact. Especially if you are going for a motorsports vibe like a 911GT3RS.

MDarringer - 10/27/2020 9:47:17 PM

+1 Boost

If you've ever done track days, you'll know that a car--typically stiffly sprung--will take a lot of punishment. So a track car with screens is a good way to help the screens die.

ctsang - 10/29/2020 11:12:06 AM

+1 Boost

forget about screen, use voice