Are there any simpler cars around now?

[Jameshow]

That is actually *exactly* what you said.



Only if you are determined to drive at the speed limit. It is a maximum, not a target.

But if everyone else is driving at 70 and your little panda can only do 50mph up the M62 hill then that's dangerous.

 

[Alex321]

But if everyone else is driving at 70 and your little panda can only do 50mph up the M62 hill then that's dangerous.

First, that will never happen, there will always be others driving at 50-55, and second, it is other drivers making it dangerous if it somehow did.

It is not dangerous to drive at 50 on the motorway, it is perfectly normal for many people.

 

[icowden]

it is not dangerous to drive at 50 on the motorway, it is perfectly normal for many people.

Not least the drivers of HGVs plodding up windy hill on the M62.

 

[presta]

For me every new car should have basic functions on the stalks or have physical switches. The fact that my current 2016 car has temperature / air vent / ac / fresh or recirculate all on a touch screen irritates me.

It's not just irritating, it's dangerous.

 

[T4tomo]

I like Kia Sportage, other half likes simple and easier to repair like the Dacia duster. IMHO there's no such thing as simple and easier to repair these days so you might as well get something decent over basic.

How much home car maintenance does your other half do?

My impression of the Duster is its cheap for reason FWIW. Basic but functional, had one for a hire car but not sure I'd fork out to own one.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

It's not just irritating, it's dangerous.

It would be if I adjusted settings whilst driving but I don’t.

I either need to get the front seat passenger to make adjustments or predict what is going to work best before I set off.

 

[icowden]

It's not just irritating, it's dangerous.

New cars can also do the settings using voice control. Sometimes it works...

Hi ID - make my seat warm.
"Making your feet warm".

 

[Jenkins]

For me every new car should have basic functions on the stalks or have physical switches. The fact that my current 2016 car has temperature / air vent / ac / fresh or recirculate all on a touch screen irritates me.

The good news is that from 2026 to get an Euro NCAP top rating, certain functions such as indicators, wipers, hazard lights & sounding the horn will have to be on physical switches and not a touchscreen.
https://etsc.eu/cars-will-need-butt...eens-to-get-a-5-star-euro-ncap-safety-rating/

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

The good news is that from 2026 to get an Euro NCAP top rating, certain functions such as indicators, wipers, hazard lights & sounding the horn will have to be on physical switches and not a touchscreen.
https://etsc.eu/cars-will-need-butt...eens-to-get-a-5-star-euro-ncap-safety-rating/

Unfortunately no mention of temperature / air vent / ac / fresh or recirculate there.

 

[Alex321]

Unfortunately no mention of temperature / air vent / ac / fresh or recirculate there.

It is the controls that are needed to actually operate the car which will be required to be on physical switches, not things which are for your own comfort.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

It is the controls that are needed to actually operate the car which will be required to be on physical switches, not things which are for your own comfort.

I get that. I was questioning why the changes were ‘good news’ for me when they don’t address the thing that annoys me most about my current car.

 

[T4tomo]

I get that. I was questioning why the changes were ‘good news’ for me when they don’t address the thing that annoys me most about my current car.

Consumer pressure will eventually flip that around. More buttons and sliders are coming back on new cars as manufacturers get that we want cars to look like cars, not like computers. the new electric Renualt5 is getting good reviews for that very reason.

 

[fossyant]

I get that. I was questioning why the changes were ‘good news’ for me when they don’t address the thing that annoys me most about my current car.

It was one reason I didn't buy a certain manufacturers vehicle recently. You can stuff off having ventilation settings on a touch screen or a touch sensor. It's very difficult trying to jab at a slider on a screen whilst driving, when I can feel on the dash board for the toggle switch that turns the temperature up or down whilst still watching where I am driving.

 

[Jenkins]

I get that. I was questioning why the changes were ‘good news’ for me when they don’t address the thing that annoys me most about my current car.

Sorry for the confusion - the reply wasn't directly aimed at you, but i quoted your post as a desire for the move back to real buttons and switches. I'm hoping this is a start for manufacturers to realise that and start to reduce the amount of time drivers need to spend looking away from the road and at screens just to do simple functions.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Consumer pressure will eventually flip that around. More buttons and sliders are coming back on new cars as manufacturers get that we want cars to look like cars, not like computers. the new electric Renualt5 is getting good reviews for that very reason.

VW have also listened and are reversing their decision.

The upcoming ID1 & ID2 will se a return of more 'real' controls