Summary
- Cars are becoming more screen-focused, but that may not always make them easier to use
- Porsche plans to use smaller displays and physical buttons on their future models
- Tesla’s Model 3 has a single screen with most physical buttons on the steering wheel
- Nissan Leaf has an old-school interior with many physical buttons and an outdated center screen
- Companies like Tesla and Mercedes-Benz are implementing different screen setups, but the most important thing is the user experience to determine the best car in daily use.
Article
Cars are becoming increasingly focused on screen real estate rather than providing a good user experience. Porsche’s head of style, Michael Mauer, mentioned that the company will avoid tacky tablet-like displays on the dashboard in favor of smaller displays and physical buttons. The 2024 Porsche Macan can have up to three screens on the dash, while the Tesla Model 3 features a single screen with most physical buttons on the steering wheel. The 2025 Nissan Leaf has an old-school interior with many buttons and an outdated center screen.
Some companies, like Tesla, have opted for a minimalist approach by consolidating physical buttons into a single large screen to reduce costs. Despite having one of the best digital interfaces in the industry, Tesla lacks traditional features like column stalks and a gauge cluster. Mercedes-Benz showcases the Hyperscreen, where the entire dash is made of displays, while Rivian has a more conventional setup with a central infotainment screen and driver’s instrument cluster. Rivian is introducing multi-purpose steering wheel dials for future models.
Regardless of the size of the screen or the design features, the focus should be on the practicality and user-friendliness of the car interface. Users are encouraged to share their experiences with different car interfaces in the comments section. Porsche and Tesla offer different approaches to incorporating screens and physical buttons, while Nissan opts for a more traditional design. Mercedes-Benz and Rivian also have unique approaches to their car interfaces, striving to balance aesthetics with functionality.
User feedback is essential in determining which electric car on the market today offers the best overall user experience. While some companies prioritize screen size and modern features, others focus on maintaining a balance between digital and physical controls. The ultimate goal is to ensure that using the car on a daily basis is intuitive and efficient. As technology continues to advance, car manufacturers must consider user feedback to improve their interfaces and provide a seamless driving experience for consumers.
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