Re:Please make a dumb car
by fingerlocks on Monday January 31, 2022 @01:00PM
(#30151428)
Did you look into Subaru? They are still using physical controls for all car functionality. You can get heated seats, heated steering, stereoscopic lane keep assist & adaptive cruise control, etc. There is a touch screen, but I only use it for Apple Car Play.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:Please make a dumb car
by CodeAndCuffs on Monday January 31, 2022 @01:29PM
(#30151940)
Same for our 2021 Mazda crossover. Lcd screen but no touch screen. Just a spin/tilt/press knob for media/settings. Climate control is a dedicated physical panel. It was a big selling point fornus
Mazda is the only major auto manufacturer that seriously prioritizes driving ergonomics over tech gimmicks/cost savings. But gimmicks sell better.
My mom's Subaru has all the heating and seat heating controls on the touch screen. It's a 2022 model, so either it's changed to that, or it's part of a certain package. Also, it's one of the worst touch screen systems I have ever seen.
Sounds like this varies based on model and year? My 2020 Ascent is like this, with the touchscreen only for radio/CarPlay (and backup camera), though there is a physical volume knob (yikes, touchscreen volume control would be a nightmare). But I've heard other Subaru owners say more things are integrated. I'm not sure it's strictly increasing by model year either, maybe they added some and then went back to physical controls later in some models?
Anyway, yes, Subaru should be a possibility, but obviously research the specific model first.
Re:Please make a dumb car
by frankgrimesjr on Monday January 31, 2022 @02:46PM
(#30153230)
Sadly, Subaru are also starting to slowly move controls onto a touchscreen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFbZ3nkhcRQ
I was a fan of subarus until around 2007-2008 when the interiors took a nosedive and never really recovered. A 35k car like a wrx shouldn't have panel rattle like a 14k economy car, but it does. Also the paint on the knobs tends to wear off fast.