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 ‒ Cars and SUVs With the Easiest-to-Use Controls from Consumer Reports

A Reddit r/whatcarshouldIbuy forum discussion illustrates the frustration car owners are experiencing as automotive tech advances rapidly, adding complexity. Adjusting temperature or radio settings buried within touchscreen menus, while visually appealing, can frustrate 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 It has outdated tech.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 aren’t alone in their frustration. Research and survey data underscore this issue:

Driver Frustration: How Big Is the Problem?

1. Consumer Reports surveys consistently rank infotainment systems and confusing controls among the top complaints from car owners – sometimes exceeding mechanical concerns.
2. J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study (IQS) has repeatedly identified infotainment systems as the leading source of complaints in new cars. Common problems include touchscreen freezes, complex menus, and difficulty with voice commands.
3. An AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study revealed that using touchscreen-based systems can divert a driver’s attention for over 40 seconds – enough time to cover the length of a football field at highway speeds. This frustration directly impacts safety.

Who Is Most Affected?

1. Older Drivers ‒ Many grew up with traditional physical controls and find modern touch-based systems unintuitive. Challenges with eyesight or dexterity can complicate the use of small icons, nested menus, or haptic “fake buttons.”
2. Everyday Commuters ‒ Daily drivers are frequently exposed to frustrations like changing radio stations, navigating menus, or adjusting climate control while driving.
3. Families & Parents ‒ Parents juggling children, navigation, and entertainment quickly realize how distracting overly complex systems are. A simple knob offers a faster and safer solution than navigating menus while managing distractions in the back seat.
4. New EV Owners ‒ Electric vehicles often emphasize “all-digital dashboards,” requiring screen interactions for simple tasks like adjusting airflow or operating windshield wipers. This can present a steep learning curve for new EV adopters.

Consumer Reports Offers a Solution

A past Consumer Reports newsletter pointed out that even if a driver appreciates a model’s comfort, driving experience, and reliability, a frustrating infotainment system can negate those positives.

CR automotive experts have recently reiterated this point.

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.”

After evaluating hundreds of vehicles, Consumer Reports identified manufacturers that successfully combine modern design with ease of use. Here are the top models in each category that offer the most straightforward and 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 maintains a refreshingly simple design. Its dashboard features easily accessible knobs and buttons, including large climate controls that provide a satisfying click when turned. The separate climate system prevents the frustration of navigating complex menus.

While the 7-inch touchscreen may seem small compared to competitors, it includes physical tuning and volume knobs – features absent in many newer vehicles. The air vents are also thoughtfully designed with directional knobs.

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, evoking a simpler time. Every major function has its own physical control, including satisfying climate knobs and a traditional gear-shift lever.

Turbocharged models feature a smaller 7-inch screen compared to the 12.3-inch display in hybrids, but offer shortcut buttons and a tuning knob, making it one of the easiest infotainment systems to use.

The Nissan Altima also performs well, 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

Fuel Economy: 31 mpg overall (21 city / 42 highway)

Ranking: #2 of 6 Luxury Entry-Level Cars

Luxury cars often prioritize advanced technology, but the Integra remains practical. Borrowing from the Honda Civic, its 7-inch infotainment system is simple, responsive, and supported by physical climate buttons and responsive dials.

The digital gauge cluster requires some learning, but steering wheel controls assist in the process. The Integra uses a traditional gear shifter rather than an electronic toggle.

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 emphasize futuristic design over usability, but the Kona Electric demonstrates that both are achievable. The infotainment screen is clear and responsive, featuring straightforward menus that are easy to navigate.

Unlike rivals using touch-sensitive panels, Hyundai wisely uses physical buttons for the climate system, reducing frustration while driving. The minimalist, modern layout maintains a tech-forward feel 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 vehicles require convenience, which the Pilot delivers. Most controls are physical, logically positioned, and easily accessible. The 9-inch touchscreen is straightforward, enabling users to customize icon placement like a smartphone.

The climate system’s large knobs feel substantial and satisfying, making adjustments 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 combines modern technology with traditional usability. Its Uconnect 5 infotainment system is intuitive, and the dashboard features large, clearly labeled knobs and buttons. However, some drivers may find certain controls slightly out of reach.

A rotary gear selector provides clear feedback when shifting. The only potential issue is its resemblance to the radio volume knob, which could confuse drivers in a hurry.

Also worth considering: Kia Carnival

Final Thoughts

While many automakers prioritize sleek digital dashboards, these vehicles demonstrate that user-friendly controls do not have to be sacrificed for style. Physical buttons and knobs remain the safest and easiest way to keep drivers’ eyes on the road, and these cars strike a balance between technology, comfort, and simplicity.

Here are additional articles on car owner’s problems with their vehicles:

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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.