Imagine stepping into a new car and being greeted by a dashboard dominated by a large, glowing touchscreen – that’s the modern driving experience.
This sleek interior marks a significant shift from the button-filled cockpits of the past, leading to a crucial question: is this evolution truly for the better? As Maserati’s design chief suggests, cars without these screens might feel like relics of a bygone era, akin to an ‘old 747’.
The integration of touchscreens into car interiors has been a polarizing topic.
Some designers, like the one at Maserati, champion screens as essential for a contemporary look, arguing that with so many vehicle functions, individual buttons become impractical, and many drivers appreciate the clean, uncluttered aesthetic touchscreens offer.
For instance, one BMW owner noted that despite a well-designed interior, they only regularly use a handful of preset buttons for essential functions like temperature, drive mode, and navigation, finding many other options unnecessary.
Conversely, many enthusiasts and drivers advocate for the tactile satisfaction and intuitive ease of traditional buttons and knobs, raising concerns that touchscreens can divert attention from the road as drivers navigate complex menus, a worry echoed by safety bodies like Euro NCAP, which plans to penalize cars without physical controls for key functions from 2026.
The discussion extends beyond mere preference.
This debate delves into the very heart of automotive design philosophy, with figures like Thierry Métroz, chief designer for DS Automobiles, aiming to redefine interiors by minimizing screens, criticizing the trend of turning entire dashboards into displays and seeking a more serene, less intrusive cabin experience.
The debate covers aesthetics, functionality, and safety.
The extensive use of screens has been identified as a potential safety hazard, as drivers might need to look away from the road to operate the infotainment system, a significant concern that manufacturers must address in future vehicle designs.
The future of car interiors presents a divergence in approaches, with brands like Infiniti exploring screen-centric designs in their concept cars, while others, such as Piaggio Aero, draw on their heritage to create bespoke, stylish interiors that prioritize substance over the prevailing screen trend.
Ultimately, there isn’t a single blueprint for the ideal car interior; different manufacturers will forge their own paths, balancing the minimalist appeal of screens with the tangible, secure feel of physical controls, catering to diverse driver preferences.
The car’s interior serves as a powerful statement of a brand’s identity and its vision for the driving experience, and whether it’s a touchscreen-heavy dash or a button-rich console, these design choices will undoubtedly continue to fuel debate and elicit strong opinions as technology and consumer tastes evolve.
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