I’m definitely in the camp where I want physical buttons and dials and stalks for controlling everything, both driving related (turn signals, windshield wipers) and not (audio controls, climate controls).
But that’s not really an electric vs gasoline thing, even if the leading electric brands (by sales volume) go too far in that direction and it causes a correlation where electric tends to have too much touchscreen/touchpad nonsense. I’m glad some of the car companies have returned to more physical no-look controls.
I’ve driven a few EVs (Tesla 3/Y/S/X, Polestar 2/3/4, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Chevy Blazer EV, Cadillac Lyriq), and plenty of them basically have the same controls as a gasoline-powered vehicle of the same manufacturer. Tesla, especially the higher trim levels, go way too far, with even non-tactile touchpads for shit like turn signals.
But go take a few test drives of EVs from the traditional manufacturers. See which ones have good ergonomics for how you want to drive and change radio stations and stuff. And then remember which ones you liked for when it comes time to buy a used vehicle of current 2026 model years.
I’m definitely in the camp where I want physical buttons and dials and stalks for controlling everything, both driving related (turn signals, windshield wipers) and not (audio controls, climate controls).
But that’s not really an electric vs gasoline thing, even if the leading electric brands (by sales volume) go too far in that direction and it causes a correlation where electric tends to have too much touchscreen/touchpad nonsense. I’m glad some of the car companies have returned to more physical no-look controls.
I’ve driven a few EVs (Tesla 3/Y/S/X, Polestar 2/3/4, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Chevy Blazer EV, Cadillac Lyriq), and plenty of them basically have the same controls as a gasoline-powered vehicle of the same manufacturer. Tesla, especially the higher trim levels, go way too far, with even non-tactile touchpads for shit like turn signals.
But go take a few test drives of EVs from the traditional manufacturers. See which ones have good ergonomics for how you want to drive and change radio stations and stuff. And then remember which ones you liked for when it comes time to buy a used vehicle of current 2026 model years.