A Year of Luxury Change

Automakers Face Crossroads

By Isaac Bouchard

The year 2025 brought massive changes to the car industry. Some of these shifts came from external pressures, such as tariffs and the early expiration of EV incentives. Others were driven internally, particularly around how vehicle interfaces are designed and configured. The result has been the most turbulent era for building and driving automobiles since the 1970s. Interfaces that once seemed simple and predictable are rapidly evolving—or in some cases, regressing.

Door Handles & Shifters

There was a time when essential controls like door handles were unnecessarily complicated. Decades ago, getting into a car sometimes required pushing a button and pulling a handle in opposite directions. Over time, a simpler standard emerged: just pull. That predictability is now fading. Many modern vehicles from brands like Mercedes and Hyundai use flush-mounted door handles that remain hidden for aerodynamics until the driver approaches. In theory, they extend automatically. In practice, they often fail to deploy or retract before the driver can grasp them; anecdotal evidence suggests a failure rate of around 30 percent.

Even traditional door pulls are becoming unreliable due to software issues or key fob connectivity glitches. Nothing erodes consumer confidence like inconsistent basic functionality. Meanwhile, the disappearance of manual transmissions has prompted designers to reinvent gear selectors—often poorly. Some models now feature confusing button-based shifters (such as Honda), while others mimic Audi’s designs but fail to engage gears consistently (such as Range Rover). The industry desperately needs intuitive, space-efficient shifting systems that work every time. One strong solution is the return of the column shifter, which frees console space and pairs well with modern paddle shifters, as seen in Mercedes-AMG models.

Screens, Buttons & Vents

Car companies have become obsessed with large screens, which can be effective when designed well. However, because high-quality screens are expensive, many manufacturers attempted to cut costs by eliminating physical buttons. This has backfired. Simple tasks like turning on heated seats now require navigating multiple touchscreen menus in some models—Volkswagen being a prime example. Changing radio presets has become equally tedious in cars from brands like Mazda, often requiring multiple swipes or clicks.

Some automakers have admitted their mistakes. Hyundai quickly reinstated physical “hard buttons” after customer backlash over unreliable haptic controls. Kia, meanwhile, still requires users to swipe on a flat interface to toggle a temperature control into a volume knob. Volvo and others reduced their four window buttons to a confusing rocker switch that controls either the front or rear windows depending on mode.

Large screens have also led to smaller, poorly placed air vents. While this may be tolerable in cloudier parts of Europe, it is a real problem in sunny states like Colorado. Air conditioning performance has diminished to the point that some new models—from BMW, Polestar, and even traditionally reliable Toyota—deliver weak airflow reminiscent of older systems that struggled to chill the cabin effectively.

Looking Forward

These issues may be frustrating, but they also reflect growing pains. Many technologies once seen as setbacks—such as catalytic converters, early airbags, or motorized seat belts—ultimately paved the way for cleaner, safer, and better-performing vehicles. With time, today’s interface missteps may lead to more refined, user-friendly innovations that benefit all drivers.