My elderly mother has a new washing machine, which has gone electronic. Many of the controls are touch sensitive, which is OK for younger hands, but no good for someone with unsteady hands. Understandaby, she wants to get rid of it - at least she cant crash it off the road.
Mine too. Default spin is 800, about 10 touches to set it 1600rpm , not up and down just down and round and each touch needs 1 sec delay before next touch . Dial and button would be better
I drive the much derided Nissan LEAF, apparently it has some 50 odd buttons that the driver can use, plus touch screen for many functions , plus voice control for some items. Even the door handles are 1950's design in operation. But it works! It does everything that I want it to do, as I want it. It has the range I need, the speed I need and the comfort level I need. and has done so for 25k miles so far this year , 22600 miles last year. Why spend more for a compiuter on wheels?
I have a Tesla Model 3 Highland and other than selecting a gear every so often, if it had not automatically selected it, I do not need to touch the screen whilst driving. Any interactions are generally via voice. Buttons on many of my previous cars have been hidden low down, or similar dials put near to each other and they have been much worse. Trying to change one thing, but it doesn't work, you have to look fully away down well below the dashboard. This is a full loss of attention to the road. Or other switches that you do not need very often and then you spend time looking around the cockpit to find said button, switch or dial. The Tesla option I have found very good as I can press a steering wheel button and the options always come up on the screen next to the steering wheel, so if you want to engage to change more options you can. I think that your complaint is actually moot as even twisting a dial or pressing a button whilst on a bumpy road, means you should not change it whilst on a bumpy road. If driving on a twisty road you should not be pressing buttons or touching the screen. In my Audi Q5 it was more annoying with the knobs and buttons as it was often trying to turn down the volume but turning off heating. Then having to look down at switches. Still bad. We need more options by voice, so no need to remove hands from wheel.
You are absolutely correct. The safety ratings should include the distraction effects from the user interface. I have a theory that the only reason the automatic braking systems are only needed because drivers are digging their way through 27 levels of menus trying to figure up why the heated seat is suddenly boiling their butt rather than looking at the road.
Completely agree with this Nigel. I don't think I have watched a single new car review where the reviewer has congratulated the manufacturer on putting all the controls on the touchscreen. In fact it's the opposite, they always say positive things when the heating controls have actual buttons which are easy to hit each time you reach for them. I would never buy a VW stable ev for this reason. However, I suspect that most car producers will turn back to physical buttons once they get over their minimalist obsession, and realise that most drivers want practical controls in their vehicles, because it actually helps to drive safely. A minor issue perhaps with the present mindset, when aesthetics seem to be the main preoccupation!!!
You make great points. No doubt the regulatory authorities will eventually catch up and over-react as they always do. Prediction: In 2030, we'll need to switch the engine off, set the handbrake and put the car into park before turning the fan up.
Completely agree with you, fortunately my car has buttons for heating controls because I cannot keep my hand steady to use the screen while driving. I'm surprised they even allowed them to be sold like that given, as you say, our strick rules against mobile phone use.
Well said. Digital screen buttons for temp, airflow, de-mist etc should be buttons and switches, v bad ergonomics. Need to differentiate between things you touch while moving and what you don’t. Only other gripe with 1st gen e mini and automatic petrol one is that D and R are the wrong way round. Mini need to listen and get back to butttons, glad u are both safe. Thanks.
I’ve seen a few videos on this topic now and none of them mention ‘voice control’ We are so used to using it in the house to turn on the lights or find out what the weather is but nobody seems to use this simple control in their car, that way you don’t need to know when the menus are…
Me too re Alexa , if it was accurate and standard it could be a good solution but it needs phone integration, mobile data and isnt perfect . On our test drive none of the hey Mini stuff worked and I don't have a data plan on my mobile
Totally agree with you about why some functions should remain as physical buttons. Equally if the car is so advanced why can't I just voice command Heater fan Up or Down, Recirculate On / Off, AirCon On / off, Temperature Up / Down or say number of degrees. Also menu with sub menus on screens is so distracting when driving. Sometimes it's like looking for a needle in the proverbial haystack. Apply the KISS principle- Keep It Simple Stupid. Screens like you have described would make me buy something else.
I’ve had a few scary moments in hire cars & company cars that you drive for the first time. Not mentioning makes & models don’t want to come across bias. Last week I was given a company car just for a 3 day business trip. The buttons on the steering wheel are haptic which caused a few moments of “What the….” The previous driver had left the radio traffic alert on, you try wading through the menus whilst on the motorway!! My car has some buttons but is not perfect it to has stuff buried in menus. However, it does have voice commands, and slowly building up a list which would you believe are not in the manual!! Basic things like turn seat warmer on, or turn fan speed up. NCAP should be looking at Driver Machine Interface because it is Dangerous.
This video perfectly captures my own “old man shouts at cloud”sentiment (simpsons reference) but I am getting older, I want buttons back. That being said, this video caused me to cancel and re-order a new car (that has full touchscreen control) to add the steering assistance pack
@@patrickr2790 I dont mind for some features but losing buttons and gaining a poorly designed software system isn't good , not when it's possible to make it better . This system is a step back imo
Ditto here. Our '22 plate FL Kona EV has loads of buttons. The EX30 doesn't even have straight ahead driver display. I wouldn't consider a Tesla for the same reason.
I personally get into my new car on the drive, I set the climate control temperature and the radio station and never touch anything again for the whole ownership of the car.
Even better is when the software dirs most of that for you, my 2015 Mercedes BClass (yes an EV) was very good at this; when you unlocked the car it immediately turned on an appropriate combination of heating/cooling/heated seats/heated screen. There is no reason why the car can’t learn your preferences (for each environmental condition) and auto-set them for you. And if you manually tweak them slightly, memorise that for next time. Sone would market this as AI but it’s just fairly simple logic.
It’s ridiculous. Having to look left and down to see the speed (Tesla, EX30) is dangerous. In my usual driving position, my arm on the wheel blocks the speed display tucked into the right hand of the screen on the Model 3/Y. It was fine when it was in the centre of the right hand panel. (Tesla fanboys will wade in here and say I should adjust the seat to accommodate this). I read somewhere that NCAP were going to consider including this sort of thing in future ratings - they absolutely should. But then you also get unfathomable decisions like VW group cars having a separate button to toggle between front and rear windows? Why? Who asked for that? And having to adjust direction of the air vents via a screen (Tesla, VW) is ludicrous.
I totally agree. My car has both physical buttons and a touch screen to manage the climate control. Using the touch screen is distracting and inaccurate even with bigger controls. Even the volume control is touch based and I hate it, so I only use the volume buttons on the steering wheel.
My Chevy Bolt has a standard twist knob for volume control (press to turn on/off), and buttons on the back of the steering wheel, and a screen-based options, and if I'm playing music from my phone via Bluetooth I can use the volume controls on that too. More options is better, and let the user decide what they like.
Tesla didn't eliminate buttons for the driver's benefit, it's just cheaper to manufacture. People will argue that you can use voice commands, and I see you've already answered that elsewhere. We have a Chevrolet Bolt which has a central "infotainment" screen mostly for maps, music and seeing the energy use/charging details, but you can control everything essential for driving with regular touch controls, including the the climate controls, heated seats etc. Essential driving information like speed and range remaining are on a screen directly in front of the driver, as with most cars, and as they should be.
Good design is everything and some manufacturers have a lot to do in this respect on the MG4 you have what I think is the essential dedicated screen demist button on the dash something I thought I would miss when I got the Model Y but Tesla have put a lot more thought into it and other than when I first get into the car and I’ve not pre-conditioned it I never have to demist the screen it just knows when its needed. On the MG4 the cabin climate controls are also a bit fiddly to adjust via the screen or some multi-function buttons on the steering wheel but still you need to look at the screen to know what’s going on and even after 2 years of driving it I still haven’t got the hang of it on the Y you access it by the screen but it’s organized in a more intuitive way and you also have voice control of everything something you don’t get in the base model MG4.
That's temperature plus needs a phone connected plus doesn't work with music on or the family arguing in the back but yes hey mini almost works like their Alexa integration almost ... Still feels like beta test to me
@@EVPuzzle My wife has the 2025 Countryman and it needs no phone, it sounds like that demonstrator hasn't been updated to OS9 BMW operating system. Now every menu function can be adjusted or switched on/off by voice command. Also you can adjust the passenger or drivers side individually and turn the heated seats on/off independently including the heated steering wheel. Before hers was updated the options were limited.
Makes you wonder why Mini released the software in such a poor state if the upgrade has helped so much . Software and car manufacturers is such a sore subject these days , other than Tesla I haven't seen any of them acting like professional developers maintaining software effectively or releasing quality systems . Volvo ex30 another example Bad of the dealer to not setup the car in its best state too.
@ when my wife got it it was still very much development software, but it was one of the first out of Germany, but now it’s near perfect, it has lots of hidden features that only become evident in certain road or driving conditions. It has auto breaking for pedestrians running out through to automatic slowing at traffic lights and roundabouts (if enabled) so under the skin it is a very capable car.
Climate generally set to auto and left alone. Generally don't have an issue with that being on screen as long as not buried in menus. As long as you can put fingers on back of screen to stabilise using your thumb works - better than a wrist rest. Would have been same looking for a button. People crashed adjusting radios back in the '70s. Those weren't touch screens. Where it gets worse on Tesla is indicator stalks on the latest ones. Biggest issue on Tesla - turning on fog lights. It's buried in a menu. Voice control needs connectivity for data working. Physical buttons - find the hazard warning physical button in a Tesla - no cheating.
When they first sold screens(video) for cars, the law was NOT to place them within view of the driver. Strange how commerce overrides safety. Progress? My young neighbour learnt to drive in my old Clio and he prefers it to the latest fully automatics that his parents drive.
I have had a U25 Countryman S E since March this year after an F56 Cooper S E and I completely agree with you that the heating and ventilation on the screen is dangerous to use when you are driving and you don’t need a phone to operate the system BUT the voice control in my car is slowly loosing voice commands so it has less operational function now than when it was delivered. The dealership has looked into it but they cannot tell me why whenever they or I use the Hey Mini function the answer is invariably “I cannot carry out your request at the moment as I’m still learning” - more like I’m forgetting. I love the car but am starting to be very frustrated by the control systems. There was nothing wrong with the system in the 2021 Cooper S E L3 I had.
I think it should be mandatory for all cars to have a button for Auto heating and a button for front demister, heat temperature settings I would be fine with being screen based as this is just a comfort thing rather than safety. It's the same with wipers like on certain Teslas if you are going to be screen based then at least have a button for on/off of single speed. Hazard warning lights would again need a button. I think that covers all essentials unless anyone can think of anything else?
For driving I’m a big fan of real buttons/controls but most of the stuff behind software generated screen buttons should NOT be touched while driving. For sure we need real buttons for hazard flashers, horn, indicators, headlight flash. But everything else could be (should be) automatic yes I include hand-brake and I’m ok with Tesla guessing the gear selection. But hearing controls on a well designed system should not need adjustment more than once a season.
our BYD Dolphin as a few buttons AND really good voice control so you can tell the car what to do which seems much safer - it also has 3 fingers up and down on screen for temp and 3 fingers left and right for fan speed
Its true that you could blame the driver or say that with experience it would be more intuitive which is true to an extent but.... There are so many braindead people behind the wheel of cars today that these complications mixed with a moron greatly increases the chance of an accident. There are plenty of drivers out there that already have zero self awareness on the road and you wonder what tinpot part of the world they paid for their driving license because they could no way have passed a test in the UK.
Well said I’ve always thought these cars screens were designed on a desktop and not moving down the road over bumps and pot holes. Even a smooth road the end of your finger moves around at least an inch, you have no chance of hitting the correct button even after several attempts. These are designed by idiots why should we have to tell them what’s not safe in their cars don’t these designers get paid for that. Just shows why we need regulations manufacturers will have to loose NCAP ratings before they make cars safer.
As mentioned in a previous comment the lack of buttons is a safety issue and needs to be addressed through regulation. We now have a Kia EV3 which does have a mix of proper buttons and touchscreen, plus ability to use voice commands for many of the functions avoiding the need to touch anything/take your eyes off the road.
It was not the screen based systm that almost caused you to crash, it was a poor choice by the driver. The time to fiddle with settings for heater, etc. is when you are stationary.
I'll just offer my experience. I have an EV and most of the controls are screen based. (I was told that this was going to be solved with a future software update for voice control. It hasn't happened) To visit family and to service the vehicle I need to drive on a mountain road, which is notoriously dangerous. On 2 occasions when I have been returning home in the afternoon, there has been a sudden temperature drop and the windows rapidly fog up. There are ZERO places to stop safely or quickly, I'm in a queue of cars, semi trailers vans and trucks, with the same on the other side, all moving at a reasonable speed. There are numerous hairpin and semi hairpin bends, where the semis have to encroach on the other side of the road, always fun when 2 meet! When the window misted up I immediately tried to find the relevant control without success. A VERY scary 15 / 20 seconds. I opened all the windows and found that helped enough to continue on. I'm definitely going to change the car as soon as the car I want is available here. It will definitely have as many manual controls as possible. KIA EV3 is high on the list.
@simonpaine2347 that does sound scary , it's enough to make me angry when buttons are hardly an expensive item . What's the benefit to us of removing simple heater controls 🤷
I'm convinced that many manufacturers saw the success that Tesla were having and just blindly followed their ideas, rather than ask people what they would prefer. Now that feedback is being listened to, more and more cars are thankfully putting buttons back. Apart from Tesla of course, who have decided that there drivers no longer need indicator stalks! Obviously the designers have rarely encountered roundabouts, let alone multi lane roundabouts, or multi roundabout roundabouts. How anyone is supposed to navigate through roundabouts and make timely use of indicators is beyond me. Especially if you are navigating a difficult junction or roundabout for the first time and automatically reach for the stalk, or fumble to find the switch when it's upside down! Madness IMO.
And for all the people saying use voice control, I agree that once you are fully accustomed to using it, then it could replace buttons and even be safer, apart from background noise as you said, but for me, more importantly is if in an emergency situation you need to ask someone else to drive you or someone else to hospital etcétera and that person has never seen a screen based system before.
İ test drove Mini Acemen . It's not bad it just that there so so many better cars out there. Plus my experience with older minis electric problems like right of 6 year mini with 40k on clock because even mini could not fix it . One of 4 i new all had problems none are on road now. Not for me.
my touch screen does not work using my fingers, I have to use a pen that I use on my tablet, these modern gadgets are dangerous, give me buttons anyday
Quite agree Nigel, this is on the manufacturer cutting corners to extract maximum profit no thought for driver safety. Stupid little icons over practical buttons. Saving money. It's going to be ENero for us.
Wont buy a car without buttons. Vis Volvo EX30 that we may have but not with no buttons ! Yes i already have a XC40 so can use the voice controls but still too far away from safe. The other issue is we in UK are using our left hands too and the road makes you hand bounce all over.
Couldn't agree with you more. Astonished that even Volvo have done this with the EX30. Furthermore if you are shortsighted these screens are useless. The latest Tesla Model 3 has taken this to a new utterly ridiculous level.
The heating control on my 10 year old i10 is below the radio, and I have to look down and to the left to use it .The reality is that even if the Mini had physical buttons, the same situation would have arisen as you are in a strange car and are not totally au fait with it. In this situation, if you wanted to check out the heating, you should have done it. The only thing I do agree with is that the screen in this car is built for style over substance and disliked it the moment I saw it.
I prefer the mixture of buttons and screen on our Niro EV over the Enyaq we had. The HUD on the Niro should be fitted to every car though. I’m in the buttons for essential camp and living in Lincolnshire hitting a button is far easier than hitting an icon on a screen. Even our A roads are pot holed or have undulations caused by the ground sinking.
One of my cars is a 2022 Audi S-5. While it has numerous physical buttons and knobs for the climate control system the MMI system totally sucks and constantly needs a lot of button pushing on the screen before I even leave the driveway. Hate it! The latest Audi models are even worse by integrating the climate control system onto the touch screen. An older model Audi that I owned, it had a knob and button configuration to use the system which I could do without looking at the screen too much.
Had Tesla for 18 months have not touched the heating options since first day, everything is set up to run automatically, including heat seats etc. if I needed to change while driving would just use voice commands. Think you just making a drama out of driving a new car without understanding all the controls.
Surely the issue is that you want to tinker whilst driving? We have our climate control set to auto and the car just efficiently gets on with the job. In the "good old days" it used to take weeks to learn all the buttons, knobs and sliders on a lot of cars. Most new cars even operate with voice control so you don't even need to play with the screen. And no, our ev is not a Tesla.
It sounds like you were at fault yourself in this instance by distracting the driver on a narrow road. You should be familiarising yourself with the screen when stationary
I have an eNiro which is blessed with lots of buttons but when I do need to use the screen, I agree, it's bad. I often need more than one stab at a screen "button". As you say it really needs some kind of wrist rest.
My Mini Electric 24 SE has a head up display, So you don't need to take you eyes off the road also all the lights are all 's if your asking your wife to the control on the screen in a strange vehicle if you were sat next to her you should been changing the screen not your wife! you can use the voice control and ask the car to change the heater for you. The same works in a Tesla along with many other controls can new be voice activated
I agree. Someone will get killed, maybe many . . pedestrians.. . I think cars with a mix of screen(s) & buttons for essentials is OK. It is not just because it is an EV, there is a general aim to make all car controls software-based.
I believe new EU regulations are coming in to require buttons for certain functions based on safety requirements.
My elderly mother has a new washing machine, which has gone electronic. Many of the controls are touch sensitive, which is OK for younger hands, but no good for someone with unsteady hands. Understandaby, she wants to get rid of it - at least she cant crash it off the road.
Mine too. Default spin is 800, about 10 touches to set it 1600rpm , not up and down just down and round and each touch needs 1 sec delay before next touch . Dial and button would be better
I drive the much derided Nissan LEAF, apparently it has some 50 odd buttons that the driver can use, plus touch screen for many functions , plus voice control for some items. Even the door handles are 1950's design in operation.
But it works! It does everything that I want it to do, as I want it. It has the range I need, the speed I need and the comfort level I need. and has done so for 25k miles so far this year , 22600 miles last year. Why spend more for a compiuter on wheels?
If it makes you happy , it's the perfect car
Buttons every time. No buttons = no sale for me.
I have a Tesla Model 3 Highland and other than selecting a gear every so often, if it had not automatically selected it, I do not need to touch the screen whilst driving. Any interactions are generally via voice.
Buttons on many of my previous cars have been hidden low down, or similar dials put near to each other and they have been much worse. Trying to change one thing, but it doesn't work, you have to look fully away down well below the dashboard. This is a full loss of attention to the road. Or other switches that you do not need very often and then you spend time looking around the cockpit to find said button, switch or dial.
The Tesla option I have found very good as I can press a steering wheel button and the options always come up on the screen next to the steering wheel, so if you want to engage to change more options you can.
I think that your complaint is actually moot as even twisting a dial or pressing a button whilst on a bumpy road, means you should not change it whilst on a bumpy road. If driving on a twisty road you should not be pressing buttons or touching the screen.
In my Audi Q5 it was more annoying with the knobs and buttons as it was often trying to turn down the volume but turning off heating. Then having to look down at switches. Still bad.
We need more options by voice, so no need to remove hands from wheel.
You are absolutely correct. The safety ratings should include the distraction effects from the user interface. I have a theory that the only reason the automatic braking systems are only needed because drivers are digging their way through 27 levels of menus trying to figure up why the heated seat is suddenly boiling their butt rather than looking at the road.
Does the mini have voice control?
Completely agree with this Nigel. I don't think I have watched a single new car review where the reviewer has congratulated the manufacturer on putting all the controls on the touchscreen. In fact it's the opposite, they always say positive things when the heating controls have actual buttons which are easy to hit each time you reach for them. I would never buy a VW stable ev for this reason. However, I suspect that most car producers will turn back to physical buttons once they get over their minimalist obsession, and realise that most drivers want practical controls in their vehicles, because it actually helps to drive safely. A minor issue perhaps with the present mindset, when aesthetics seem to be the main preoccupation!!!
You make great points. No doubt the regulatory authorities will eventually catch up and over-react as they always do. Prediction: In 2030, we'll need to switch the engine off, set the handbrake and put the car into park before turning the fan up.
Completely agree with you, fortunately my car has buttons for heating controls because I cannot keep my hand steady to use the screen while driving. I'm surprised they even allowed them to be sold like that given, as you say, our strick rules against mobile phone use.
Well said. Digital screen buttons for temp, airflow, de-mist etc should be buttons and switches, v bad ergonomics. Need to differentiate between things you touch while moving and what you don’t. Only other gripe with 1st gen e mini and automatic petrol one is that D and R are the wrong way round. Mini need to listen and get back to butttons, glad u are both safe. Thanks.
I’ve seen a few videos on this topic now and none of them mention ‘voice control’
We are so used to using it in the house to turn on the lights or find out what the weather is but nobody seems to use this simple control in their car, that way you don’t need to know when the menus are…
Me too re Alexa , if it was accurate and standard it could be a good solution but it needs phone integration, mobile data and isnt perfect . On our test drive none of the hey Mini stuff worked and I don't have a data plan on my mobile
Totally agree with you about why some functions should remain as physical buttons. Equally if the car is so advanced why can't I just voice command Heater fan Up or Down, Recirculate On / Off, AirCon On / off, Temperature Up / Down or say number of degrees.
Also menu with sub menus on screens is so distracting when driving. Sometimes it's like looking for a needle in the proverbial haystack.
Apply the KISS principle- Keep It Simple Stupid.
Screens like you have described would make me buy something else.
Another problem I have is that I am very right handed, so having to use my weaker left hand is an additional factor.
I’ve had a few scary moments in hire cars & company cars that you drive for the first time. Not mentioning makes & models don’t want to come across bias. Last week I was given a company car just for a 3 day business trip. The buttons on the steering wheel are haptic which caused a few moments of “What the….” The previous driver had left the radio traffic alert on, you try wading through the menus whilst on the motorway!! My car has some buttons but is not perfect it to has stuff buried in menus. However, it does have voice commands, and slowly building up a list which would you believe are not in the manual!! Basic things like turn seat warmer on, or turn fan speed up. NCAP should be looking at Driver Machine Interface because it is Dangerous.
This video perfectly captures my own “old man shouts at cloud”sentiment (simpsons reference) but I am getting older, I want buttons back. That being said, this video caused me to cancel and re-order a new car (that has full touchscreen control) to add the steering assistance pack
@@patrickr2790 I dont mind for some features but losing buttons and gaining a poorly designed software system isn't good , not when it's possible to make it better . This system is a step back imo
Thanks for pointing this out. That's exactly why we choose a kona EV over an EX30. Less bing bongs and more fysical buttons.
@@geitenwollensokje8351 good choice
Ditto here. Our '22 plate FL Kona EV has loads of buttons. The EX30 doesn't even have straight ahead driver display. I wouldn't consider a Tesla for the same reason.
I understand what you are saying but Teslas software is so so good . (I don't own Tesla just used one for 3 weeks)
I personally get into my new car on the drive, I set the climate control temperature and the radio station and never touch anything again for the whole ownership of the car.
Even better is when the software dirs most of that for you, my 2015 Mercedes BClass (yes an EV) was very good at this; when you unlocked the car it immediately turned on an appropriate combination of heating/cooling/heated seats/heated screen. There is no reason why the car can’t learn your preferences (for each environmental condition) and auto-set them for you. And if you manually tweak them slightly, memorise that for next time. Sone would market this as AI but it’s just fairly simple logic.
I have to change radio station as coverage varies, but I'm doing that on steering wheel nub.
Wow, people still listen to the radio?
@kennixox262 mobile data is pretty bad in a lot of places.
It’s ridiculous. Having to look left and down to see the speed (Tesla, EX30) is dangerous. In my usual driving position, my arm on the wheel blocks the speed display tucked into the right hand of the screen on the Model 3/Y. It was fine when it was in the centre of the right hand panel. (Tesla fanboys will wade in here and say I should adjust the seat to accommodate this). I read somewhere that NCAP were going to consider including this sort of thing in future ratings - they absolutely should. But then you also get unfathomable decisions like VW group cars having a separate button to toggle between front and rear windows? Why? Who asked for that? And having to adjust direction of the air vents via a screen (Tesla, VW) is ludicrous.
I totally agree. My car has both physical buttons and a touch screen to manage the climate control. Using the touch screen is distracting and inaccurate even with bigger controls. Even the volume control is touch based and I hate it, so I only use the volume buttons on the steering wheel.
My Chevy Bolt has a standard twist knob for volume control (press to turn on/off), and buttons on the back of the steering wheel, and a screen-based options, and if I'm playing music from my phone via Bluetooth I can use the volume controls on that too. More options is better, and let the user decide what they like.
@@ziploc2000 Yes, it is independent of what drives the car.
Tesla didn't eliminate buttons for the driver's benefit, it's just cheaper to manufacture.
People will argue that you can use voice commands, and I see you've already answered that elsewhere.
We have a Chevrolet Bolt which has a central "infotainment" screen mostly for maps, music and seeing the energy use/charging details, but you can control everything essential for driving with regular touch controls, including the the climate controls, heated seats etc.
Essential driving information like speed and range remaining are on a screen directly in front of the driver, as with most cars, and as they should be.
Good design is everything and some manufacturers have a lot to do in this respect on the MG4 you have what I think is the essential dedicated screen demist button on the dash something I thought I would miss when I got the Model Y but Tesla have put a lot more thought into it and other than when I first get into the car and I’ve not pre-conditioned it I never have to demist the screen it just knows when its needed. On the MG4 the cabin climate controls are also a bit fiddly to adjust via the screen or some multi-function buttons on the steering wheel but still you need to look at the screen to know what’s going on and even after 2 years of driving it I still haven’t got the hang of it on the Y you access it by the screen but it’s organized in a more intuitive way and you also have voice control of everything something you don’t get in the base model MG4.
Or you can just say ‘hey Mini, turn heating up’
That's temperature plus needs a phone connected plus doesn't work with music on or the family arguing in the back but yes hey mini almost works like their Alexa integration almost ... Still feels like beta test to me
@@EVPuzzle My wife has the 2025 Countryman and it needs no phone, it sounds like that demonstrator hasn't been updated to OS9 BMW operating system. Now every menu function can be adjusted or switched on/off by voice command. Also you can adjust the passenger or drivers side individually and turn the heated seats on/off independently including the heated steering wheel. Before hers was updated the options were limited.
@G6EJD mini dealer said it needs phone configured so shows what they know . Yep brand new car probably not on latest software
Makes you wonder why Mini released the software in such a poor state if the upgrade has helped so much . Software and car manufacturers is such a sore subject these days , other than Tesla I haven't seen any of them acting like professional developers maintaining software effectively or releasing quality systems . Volvo ex30 another example
Bad of the dealer to not setup the car in its best state too.
@ when my wife got it it was still very much development software, but it was one of the first out of Germany, but now it’s near perfect, it has lots of hidden features that only become evident in certain road or driving conditions. It has auto breaking for pedestrians running out through to automatic slowing at traffic lights and roundabouts (if enabled) so under the skin it is a very capable car.
Climate generally set to auto and left alone. Generally don't have an issue with that being on screen as long as not buried in menus. As long as you can put fingers on back of screen to stabilise using your thumb works - better than a wrist rest.
Would have been same looking for a button. People crashed adjusting radios back in the '70s. Those weren't touch screens.
Where it gets worse on Tesla is indicator stalks on the latest ones.
Biggest issue on Tesla - turning on fog lights. It's buried in a menu. Voice control needs connectivity for data working.
Physical buttons - find the hazard warning physical button in a Tesla - no cheating.
When they first sold screens(video) for cars, the law was NOT to place them within view of the driver. Strange how commerce overrides safety. Progress?
My young neighbour learnt to drive in my old Clio and he prefers it to the latest fully automatics that his parents drive.
I have had a U25 Countryman S E since March this year after an F56 Cooper S E and I completely agree with you that the heating and ventilation on the screen is dangerous to use when you are driving and you don’t need a phone to operate the system BUT the voice control in my car is slowly loosing voice commands so it has less operational function now than when it was delivered. The dealership has looked into it but they cannot tell me why whenever they or I use the Hey Mini function the answer is invariably “I cannot carry out your request at the moment as I’m still learning” - more like I’m forgetting. I love the car but am starting to be very frustrated by the control systems. There was nothing wrong with the system in the 2021 Cooper S E L3 I had.
At some point all these screens will fail and you’ll lose all those controls until you can source and fit a new one.
Good point
I've said this from day 1. It doesn't make sense.
I think it should be mandatory for all cars to have a button for Auto heating and a button for front demister, heat temperature settings I would be fine with being screen based as this is just a comfort thing rather than safety. It's the same with wipers like on certain Teslas if you are going to be screen based then at least have a button for on/off of single speed. Hazard warning lights would again need a button. I think that covers all essentials unless anyone can think of anything else?
Totally agree but luckily my kia niro has a good mix of buttons and screen controls.
For driving I’m a big fan of real buttons/controls but most of the stuff behind software generated screen buttons should NOT be touched while driving.
For sure we need real buttons for hazard flashers, horn, indicators, headlight flash. But everything else could be (should be) automatic yes I include hand-brake and I’m ok with Tesla guessing the gear selection. But hearing controls on a well designed system should not need adjustment more than once a season.
our BYD Dolphin as a few buttons AND really good voice control so you can tell the car what to do which seems much safer - it also has 3 fingers up and down on screen for temp and 3 fingers left and right for fan speed
With you on this Nigel I am much safer using my phone than driving my current car by far the worse car I have ever driven
Its true that you could blame the driver or say that with experience it would be more intuitive which is true to an extent but....
There are so many braindead people behind the wheel of cars today that these complications mixed with a moron greatly increases the chance of an accident.
There are plenty of drivers out there that already have zero self awareness on the road and you wonder what tinpot part of the world they paid for their driving license because they could no way have passed a test in the UK.
Always buttons
Well said I’ve always thought these cars screens were designed on a desktop and not moving down the road over bumps and pot holes. Even a smooth road the end of your finger moves around at least an inch, you have no chance of hitting the correct button even after several attempts. These are designed by idiots why should we have to tell them what’s not safe in their cars don’t these designers get paid for that. Just shows why we need regulations manufacturers will have to loose NCAP ratings before they make cars safer.
As mentioned in a previous comment the lack of buttons is a safety issue and needs to be addressed through regulation. We now have a Kia EV3 which does have a mix of proper buttons and touchscreen, plus ability to use voice commands for many of the functions avoiding the need to touch anything/take your eyes off the road.
It was not the screen based systm that almost caused you to crash, it was a poor choice by the driver. The time to fiddle with settings for heater, etc. is when you are stationary.
@@solentbum lol, of course it's safer to stop but sadly not every road has places to stop so isn't a practical thing.
I'll just offer my experience. I have an EV and most of the controls are screen based. (I was told that this was going to be solved with a future software update for voice control. It hasn't happened) To visit family and to service the vehicle I need to drive on a mountain road, which is notoriously dangerous. On 2 occasions when I have been returning home in the afternoon, there has been a sudden temperature drop and the windows rapidly fog up. There are ZERO places to stop safely or quickly, I'm in a queue of cars, semi trailers vans and trucks, with the same on the other side, all moving at a reasonable speed. There are numerous hairpin and semi hairpin bends, where the semis have to encroach on the other side of the road, always fun when 2 meet!
When the window misted up I immediately tried to find the relevant control without success. A VERY scary 15 / 20 seconds. I opened all the windows and found that helped enough to continue on.
I'm definitely going to change the car as soon as the car I want is available here. It will definitely have as many manual controls as possible. KIA EV3 is high on the list.
@simonpaine2347 that does sound scary , it's enough to make me angry when buttons are hardly an expensive item . What's the benefit to us of removing simple heater controls 🤷
I'm convinced that many manufacturers saw the success that Tesla were having and just blindly followed their ideas, rather than ask people what they would prefer. Now that feedback is being listened to, more and more cars are thankfully putting buttons back. Apart from Tesla of course, who have decided that there drivers no longer need indicator stalks! Obviously the designers have rarely encountered roundabouts, let alone multi lane roundabouts, or multi roundabout roundabouts. How anyone is supposed to navigate through roundabouts and make timely use of indicators is beyond me. Especially if you are navigating a difficult junction or roundabout for the first time and automatically reach for the stalk, or fumble to find the switch when it's upside down! Madness IMO.
And for all the people saying use voice control, I agree that once you are fully accustomed to using it, then it could replace buttons and even be safer, apart from background noise as you said, but for me, more importantly is if in an emergency situation you need to ask someone else to drive you or someone else to hospital etcétera and that person has never seen a screen based system before.
İ test drove Mini Acemen . It's not bad it just that there so so many better cars out there. Plus my experience with older minis electric problems like right of 6 year mini with 40k on clock because even mini could not fix it . One of 4 i new all had problems none are on road now. Not for me.
my touch screen does not work using my fingers, I have to use a pen that I use on my tablet, these modern gadgets are dangerous, give me buttons anyday
Quite agree Nigel, this is on the manufacturer cutting corners to extract maximum profit no thought for driver safety. Stupid little icons over practical buttons. Saving money. It's going to be ENero for us.
My idea of tech is a Citroen Ami with no phone lol
Wont buy a car without buttons. Vis Volvo EX30 that we may have but not with no buttons !
Yes i already have a XC40 so can use the voice controls but still too far away from safe.
The other issue is we in UK are using our left hands too and the road makes you hand bounce all over.
Large buttons that can be found and identified by feel
Screen controls for basic auto functions are pure nonsense. They should be banned by law.
Couldn't agree with you more. Astonished that even Volvo have done this with the EX30. Furthermore if you are shortsighted these screens are useless. The latest Tesla Model 3 has taken this to a new utterly ridiculous level.
So what you’re saying is cars need better voice control.
The heating control on my 10 year old i10 is below the radio, and I have to look down and to the left to use it .The reality is that even if the Mini had physical buttons, the same situation would have arisen as you are in a strange car and are not totally au fait with it. In this situation, if you wanted to check out the heating, you should have done it. The only thing I do agree with is that the screen in this car is built for style over substance and disliked it the moment I saw it.
I prefer the mixture of buttons and screen on our Niro EV over the Enyaq we had. The HUD on the Niro should be fitted to every car though.
I’m in the buttons for essential camp and living in Lincolnshire hitting a button is far easier than hitting an icon on a screen. Even our A roads are pot holed or have undulations caused by the ground sinking.
One of my cars is a 2022 Audi S-5. While it has numerous physical buttons and knobs for the climate control system the MMI system totally sucks and constantly needs a lot of button pushing on the screen before I even leave the driveway. Hate it! The latest Audi models are even worse by integrating the climate control system onto the touch screen. An older model Audi that I owned, it had a knob and button configuration to use the system which I could do without looking at the screen too much.
Such an important video, Nigel.
Had Tesla for 18 months have not touched the heating options since first day, everything is set up to run automatically, including heat seats etc. if I needed to change while driving would just use voice commands. Think you just making a drama out of driving a new car without understanding all the controls.
Surely the issue is that you want to tinker whilst driving? We have our climate control set to auto and the car just efficiently gets on with the job.
In the "good old days" it used to take weeks to learn all the buttons, knobs and sliders on a lot of cars. Most new cars even operate with voice control so you don't even need to play with the screen.
And no, our ev is not a Tesla.
If the car was intended to work in just auto mode there wouldn't be any controls . Conditions change and need the ability to adjust
It sounds like you were at fault yourself in this instance by distracting the driver on a narrow road.
You should be familiarising yourself with the screen when stationary
I have an eNiro which is blessed with lots of buttons but when I do need to use the screen, I agree, it's bad. I often need more than one stab at a screen "button". As you say it really needs some kind of wrist rest.
My Mini Electric 24 SE has a head up display, So you don't need to take you eyes off the road also all the lights are all 's if your asking your wife to the control on the screen in a strange vehicle if you were sat next to her you should been changing the screen not your wife! you can use the voice control and ask the car to change the heater for you. The same works in a Tesla along with many other controls can new be voice activated
I agree. Someone will get killed, maybe many . . pedestrians.. . I think cars with a mix of screen(s) & buttons for essentials is OK. It is not just because it is an EV, there is a general aim to make all car controls software-based.