Modern to me is novelty + usefulness. Touchscreens are modern when they do something better than an alternative. From a design perspective they’re great for dynamic display that requires (or benefits from) input... from a business view they save money on mechanical interfaces and can be used to offer new services to make money—this works out for users about as much as it doesn’t. I guess automakers are seeking to carve out a balance to stay ahead. Mechanical interfaces might come back as a retro luxury feature!