The Need for Simpler Car Interfaces
Driving the Ineos Grenadier recently, I was struck by how pleasant it was to drive at night. The Grenadier’s interior design stands out for its minimal use of screens – featuring a small central display and physical buttons. This design choice made for a comfortable driving experience, particularly at night when glare from screens can be distracting.
The trend in modern cars has been to include increasingly complex touchscreen systems, often resulting in what can be described as “menu bloat.” Cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N offer numerous features but can be confusing to operate. Mercedes’s MBUX system, for example, provides multiple ways to control functions, creating a steep learning curve.
While smartphones have made many car features accessible through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, they have also led to more complex in-car interfaces. The result is often a distracting driving experience, with drivers tempted to interact with their phones while driving.
A Shift Towards Simplicity
Luxury car manufacturers have started to push back against the trend of ever-more screens. Brands like Bugatti, Koenigsegg, and Singer have recognized that their high-end customers value simplicity and timeless design. The Bugatti Veyron, for instance, eschewed screens when they were common in high-end cars, and its interior has aged well as a result.
Some manufacturers are finding a balance. Porsche’s approach between 2016 and 2020 offered a good model – a small central screen complemented by physical controls and an analog gauge cluster. This design allowed for easy access to essential functions while driving.
Regulatory bodies are also getting involved. Euro NCAP will soon incentivize carmakers to bring back physical controls for safety-critical functions to achieve a five-star safety rating.
The Benefits of Physical Controls
Physical controls offer significant advantages over touchscreen interfaces, particularly in terms of safety and usability. They allow drivers to operate vehicle functions without taking their eyes off the road. Luxury brands like Pagani and Bentley have long understood this, incorporating intuitive physical controls into their vehicles.
The trend towards simpler, more intuitive car interfaces is gaining momentum. As car manufacturers respond to consumer demand for less distracting driving experiences, we can expect to see a shift away from excessive screen use and towards more practical, user-friendly designs.
