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A Reddit r/whatcarshouldIbuy forum discussion illustrates the frustration car owners are experiencing as automotive tech advances rapidly, because with it comes added complexity. Changing the temperature or adjusting the radio deep inside touchscreen menus might look sleek, but it can also induce a type of inner road rage within drivers.
I like tech, but I hate how manufacturers are moving to a sterile Tesla interior. Removing tactile surfaces and burying the most common functions into tiered menus is frustrating and dangerous. I don’t want to be mashing a screen to adjust the air temp and flow, damn it, when I’m driving. I crossed Audi (second touch climate control screen) and BMW (climate control in one screen) from my list for this. ‒darkdesertedhighway
I’m 36 and comfortable with tech, but don’t want it in my car. My wife’s Honda Pilot is a distraction machine…and if you’re feeling especially brave, try operating the laggy touchscreen while keeping your eyes on the road. Impossible.
So, when I was recently in the market for a new vehicle…I actually fell in love with a used 2018 Nissan Frontier instead. It has outdated tech. And I love it more than all the fancier vehicles. It has exactly what I need and nothing more. I can focus on driving. It’s refreshingly simple. ‒frotes_88
These car owners are not alone with their frustration over complex controls, and there’s good research and survey data that highlight the issue:
How Frustrated Are Drivers?
- Consumer Reports surveys consistently show that infotainment systems and confusing controls are among the top complaints from car owners—sometimes more than mechanical issues.
- J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study (IQS) has found for several years in a row that infotainment systems are the #1 source of complaints in new cars. Problems include touchscreens freezing, confusing menus, and difficulty with voice commands.
- An AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study found that using touchscreen-based systems can take drivers’ eyes off the road for 40+ seconds—long enough to drive the length of a football field at highway speeds. That frustration translates directly into safety concerns.
What Drivers Are Most Affected?
- Older Drivers ‒Many grew up with physical knobs and buttons and find today’s touch-heavy systems unintuitive. Poor eyesight or reduced dexterity can make small icons, buried menus, or haptic “fake buttons” harder to use.
- Everyday Commuters ‒Anyone who drives daily is more exposed to frustrations like changing radio stations, navigating menus, or adjusting climate controls while in traffic.
- Families & Parents ‒Parents juggling kids, navigation, and music quickly discover how distracting overly complex systems can be. A simple knob is faster and safer than diving through menus while kids are yelling in the back seat.
- EV Owners (new adopters) ‒Electric vehicles often push “all-digital dashboards,” where even simple tasks like adjusting airflow or turning on wipers require screen interactions. Early EV adopters sometimes feel alienated by this steep learning curve.
Consumer Reports to Their Frustration Rescue
A past Consumer Reports newsletter reported that despite loving a particular model’s comfort, how it drives, and its overall reliability compared to most models, all that love can go right out the window if you’re frustrated with the car’s infotainment system.
More recently, CR automotive experts have reiterated that observation.
Physical buttons and knobs are still the gold standard for usability,” explains Maddie McCarty, Consumer Reports’ human factors engineer. “They let drivers make quick adjustments by feel, while touchscreens often demand focus and precision, especially on bumpy roads.”
As such, after reviewing hundreds of cars, Consumer Reports found that some manufacturers manage to deliver both modern style and old-fashioned ease of use. These are the standout models in each category with the most straightforward, most driver-friendly controls.
CARS AND SUVS WITH THE EASIEST CONTROLS
1. Best Small SUV/Truck: 2025 Honda CR-V
Price Range: $30,100 – $50,000
Fuel Economy: 26 mpg overall (19 city / 33 highway)
Ranking: #8 of 33 Compact SUVs
The CR-V keeps things refreshingly simple. Its dashboard is lined with easy-to-reach knobs and buttons, including oversized climate controls that provide a satisfying “click” when turned. We like that the climate system remains separate from the infotainment screen, preventing the dreaded “menu maze.”
While the 7-inch touchscreen feels small compared with rivals, it makes up for it with physical tuning and volume knobs—features disappearing from many newer vehicles. Even the air vents are thoughtfully designed, with knobs that point exactly where the air will flow.
Also worth considering: Ford Maverick, Honda HR-V
2. Best Midsized Sedan: 2025 Honda Accord
Price Range: $28,295 – $30,560
Fuel Economy: 32 mpg overall (21 city / 46 highway)
Ranking: #6 of 10 Midsized Cars
The Accord’s interior feels instantly familiar—like stepping into a car from a simpler time. Every major function gets its own physical control, including satisfyingly tactile climate knobs and a traditional gear-shift lever.
Turbocharged models have a smaller 7-inch screen compared with the 12.3-inch display in hybrids, but it comes with perks like shortcut buttons and a tuning knob. This makes it one of the easiest infotainment systems to master.
The Nissan Altima also scores well here, with large, straightforward climate controls and clear infotainment options.
Also worth considering: Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, Toyota Camry
3. Best Compact Luxury Sedan: 2025 Acura Integra
Price Range: $33,000 – $52,900
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Fuel Economy: 31 mpg overall (21 city / 42 highway)
Ranking: #2 of 6 Luxury Entry-Level Cars
Luxury cars often chase tech-heavy interiors, but the Integra keeps things practical. Borrowing heavily from the Honda Civic, its 7-inch infotainment system is simple, responsive, and supported by physical climate buttons and “clicky” dials.
The fully digital gauge cluster takes some time to learn, but steering-wheel controls help ease the process. Perhaps best of all, the Integra sticks with a traditional gear shifter—no confusing electronic toggle here.
Also worth considering: Audi A3, Cadillac CT4
4. Best Electric Vehicle: 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric
Price Range: $32,975 – $41,150
Efficiency: 116 MPGe overall (129 city / 103 highway)
Ranking: #4 of 13 Electric Cars
EVs sometimes prioritize futuristic styling over usability, but the Kona Electric proves you can have both. The infotainment screen is clear and responsive, paired with straightforward menus that are easy to navigate.
Unlike some rivals that rely on touch-sensitive panels, Hyundai wisely uses physical buttons for the climate system, reducing frustration while on the move. The minimalist, modern layout still feels tech-forward without sacrificing practicality.
Also worth considering: Genesis GV60, Kia Niro EV
5. Best Three-Row Midsized SUV: 2025 Honda Pilot
Price Range: $40,200 – $54,580
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg overall (14 city / 29 highway)
Ranking: #5 of 23 Midsized SUVs with 3 Rows
Family haulers demand convenience, and the Pilot delivers. Most controls are physical, logically placed, and easy to reach. The 9-inch touchscreen is straightforward, allowing drivers to move icons around—like a smartphone—so favorite features are always front and center.
The climate system’s oversized knobs feel solid and satisfying, making adjustments quick and easy even while driving.
Also worth considering: Subaru Ascent, Hyundai Santa Fe
6. Best Minivan: 2025 Chrysler Pacifica
Price Range: $42,450 – $59,785
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg overall (13 city / 33 highway)
Ranking: #5 of 7 Minivans
The Pacifica blends modern tech with traditional usability. Its Uconnect 5 infotainment system is intuitive, and the dashboard is filled with big, clearly labeled knobs and buttons. That said, some drivers may find themselves stretching to reach certain controls.
One unique touch: the gear selector is a rotary dial that provides clear feedback when shifting. The only drawback? At a glance, it looks a lot like the radio’s volume knob—something that could trip up drivers in a hurry.
Also worth considering: Kia Carnival
Final Thoughts
While many automakers chase sleek digital dashboards, these vehicles prove that user-friendly controls don’t have to be sacrificed for style. Physical buttons and knobs remain the safest, easiest way to keep drivers’ eyes on the road, and these cars strike the right balance of tech, comfort, and simplicity.
For additional articles related to car owner’s problems with their vehicles, here are a few for your consideration:
- Consumer Reports Fails the 2025 Lincoln Navigator ― The Driver Is Left With a Unique Steering Wheel Design That Feels Utterly Unnatural to Use. Parking Maneuvers Feel Like Rotating a Book: Horizontal, Vertical, Horizontal
- My 2014 Ford Explorer Is Obsolete, Dealer Says They Don’t Support It Anymore. Are We Just to Expect That Cars Now Have a 10-Year Lifespan? ― Where I Find the Most Useful Resource With OEM Part Availability Problems
- I Own 2 Teslas and Realize Now Tesla’s Quality Issues Aren’t Just Due to Cost-Cutting and Cutting Corners: They Have Everything to Do With How Terrible Tesla Is at Manufacturing and How Good China Is at It
COMING UP NEXT: My Wife and I Just Bought a Used Odyssey and the Dealer Claimed It Cost $2,500 for the LoJack, but They Would “Give” It to Me for $1,500. I Told Them to Just Remove It. He Said It Would Cost $900 to Remove
Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and restores older vehicles, often incorporating engine modifications for improved performance. He also covers modern cars—including EVs—with a focus on DIY mechanics, tool use and selection, and other topics related to automotive repair. Follow Tim on Twitter (@TimBoyerWrites) and Facebook for daily updates and insights on new and used cars and trucks.
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Source: torquenews.com
