Car companies have become enamored with touch screens for all kinds of vehicles…
If they could leave the touch screen for stuff used mainly while parked (like vehicle personalization stuff such as what channel each radio preset is, whether the horn beeps on lock/unlock, etc) and have feelable knobs and buttons for stuff used while driving, that would be better.
it keeps costs low: “What is frustrating, though, is that Volvo seems to have followed the Tesla, and to a lesser extent VW, model of lowering costs. That center screen handles everything. And yes, that includes the instrumentation. Now, it is something that you can get used to, but then there a lot of less-than-ideal things in life you can get used to. Acclimation does not equal good. Having your speed and other critical info directly in front of you is still superior, be it a head-up display or just a small, supplemental display like even VW provides. Of course, going without those keeps things cheaper, both because the parts are literally not present and because you don’t have to swap things around for left- and right-drive markets. Beyond that, the screen also houses all controls for climate and stereo controls – even the glovebox can only be opened via the touchscreen. That’s annoying, even if the touchscreen itself is otherwise well-executed.”
I have a 2024 Volvo S60. I don’t need to use the screen to open my glove box…ever. My speed is right in front of me on that screen. If I use maps, I have the option of displaying the maps either on the center screen or also on the screen in front of me.
I can voice activate via Google my temp controls in the cabin and on the seats.
It wasn’t all that easy to reach over to the center of the car to turn down the radio volume or switch channels. It’s not any harder now.
Yes, it took me some time to get used to the new Volvo features, but I have no issue with them at all.
That’s a Nissan Leaf.
My KIA has a dial to switch from Park to Drive, Neutral and Reverse. I am not a fan. I have to look at it to see the light that my reverse or drive selection has happened. It seems to not work when I switch too quickly, making it unreliable.
When we bought this KIA hybrid one of my requirements was knobs and buttons for common things after seeing a the ridiculous 3 touches required to control the heated seats on my friend’s Subaru. I have buttons for that. Rant: the car turns the heat down on the seat after a few minutes, as if I can’t decide myself whether my butt is too warm.
An official cybertruck review. (Humor)
I’m planning on going from my 2019 Kia Niro plug-in hybrid to the 2024 Niro EV this week. I found I enjoy driving the PHEV in electric mode, but not so much when it ran out of battery and switched to hybrid mode. I’ve test driven the Ford MachE, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and the Niro EV and liked them and have found each one has a flaw (in my eyes) and so it’s a compromise in selecting the features that are personal priorities. Like, the MachE (IMO the best driving experience, but I hate the huge Tesla-like touchscreen in the middle) doesn’t offer ventilated seats. I never knew how nice those were until I had them on my plug-in, and now I’m spoiled. The current year Ioniq 5 doesn’t have a rear window wiper, and the dealerships don’t know when the 2025s (which will have a wiper) will come in. The winter roads here get crazy slushy after a snow storm and the rear window gets caked with buildup, so a rear window wiper is a must. The Niro EV has both ventilated seats and a rear window wiper FTW.
The various dealerships all recommended leasing over buying due to the rapid changes in technology. So we’re going with a lease (my first time doing that). Ford doesn’t offer much of a rebate, and Hyundai/Kia don’t qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit…but Hyundai/Kia are offering lease rebates that are greater than the $7,500 tax credit anyway. After Hyundai’s GA plant builds those Ioniq 5s (and the batteries) then those will qualify. I figure leasing the Niro EV buys me time for those new models to come out, and if I choose to go ahead and buy out the lease then I have that option too and at a lower cost than if I bought the car outright to start (because of the rebates rights now).
I guess I am glad I have one of the “older” Teslas, as my gear shifts are on the stalk by the steering wheel. That is, all but neutral which I can never seem to figure out how to get it into gear for that, not that I ever need it as I don’t take it through the car wash, and there is a car wash mode should I choose that. I always seem to forget that using voice command is typically more efficient and responsive than trying to find choices on the touchscreen.
I read an article that says that EV leases are pretty inexpensive now. Because of the rebates.
I like the Hyundai but a rear windshield wiper is definitely a no go for me also.
Congratulations on the new car.
I’m pretty sure our next car will be an EV but having 2 that are paid off and just getting over the 100,000 mile mark on both, means that it’s too nice not having car payments.
Adding a wiper seems a no brainer, but as for this year’s model, one potential mitigating consideration might be the mirror setup, which can render the back window irrelevant. The center rearview mirror can function as either a standard mirror or as a camera/mirror, so what you are seeing is actually from a wide angle camera mounted on the top of the tailgate.
I know some don’t like these but the one on the Ioniq is IMO well done, and offers much more (and broader) visibility than the standard mirror, and clear vision even when you have people or cargo in the back. When set to use the camera, it doesn’t matter if the cargo space is full or back window is dirty or wet, one can still see. I have had no trouble with the camera getting wet or blurred, even in wet conditions.
Tesla and Rivian are at the top.
simply avoid those 2 models. evs are still much better in terms of fewer parts that may break down and minimal maintenance (tire rotations) compared to ice vehicles. the author is biased based on having the preference for cars to break down and creating work for himself.
I understand the advantages of the EV. And I understand opinion articles. I was posting an opinion article. It’s information to consider.
I’m a potential EV buyer, but it’s not just about breakdowns and maintenance:
Or if an EV owner gets into an accident and the battery requires replacement.
EV battery failure rates are described at Modern EV Batteries Rarely Fail: Study .
Of course, then we need the comparison to failure rates of expensive failure items in ICEVs like transmissions and engines.
driven evs since 2006 and having zero maintenance issues or otherwise. again, tire rotations and purchases are the only expenses. solar panel and home charger saves $$$ too.
The only engines that I’ve ever replaced are the engines that I’ve blown up racing or needed refreshening due to track use. Otherwise I’ve not had an engine or a transmission fail. Our Toyota hybrids have been relatively maintenance free.
I’m listening to all opinions. Two people that I work with drive Teslas and they’ve required various maintenance and repairs. But I’m not buying a Tesla either.
tesla superchargers are now available to other makes. that was their exclusive separate infrastructure from competition until now. gm is the latest to now have access. others will follow shortly.
also, this may actually be sold next year. i have a refundable deposit since 2020: Vehicle | Aptera
Seems like the key is that you have Toyota vehicles, since Toyota has generally had the most consistent (though not perfect) reliability.
The problem I have with Pyle’s opinion is that is missing any data.
“The reasons are the cost of ownership once a motor or battery fails, and the repair cost is far more than the vehicle value.”
Ok, perhaps true, but begs the question: how often does a Tesla battery fail and that is not covered by warranty? 10% of all Tesla’s? 1%? 0.00001%?
Wrt Rivian, I’d be afraid that the company may not make it for the next 5 years.
(Teslas come with a 100k-8 year warranty. Rivian is 5 years-50k.)
“Even when compared to other electric vehicles, Tesla costs more. Lewis estimated it costs $1,078 more to repair a Tesla during its lifetime than other electric vehicles.”
How long is a “lifetime”? If ten years, that averages out to ~$100/yr which is relative pocket change for driving a sporty EV over say, a Leaf. How much more on average does it cost to repair a Taycan over “other” electric vehicles?
Yes, I love Toyotas. But there are other reliable relatively maintenance free brands out there.