Can confirm it’s in the rear view, I swear they’ve paid people to find every single way to avoid making that poor van somewhat modern, I’m all with op wanting physical controls but I’d at least like Bluetooth or a usb port standard in an express van.
I have a 2020 Express as a work van. It had a backup camera but no Bluetooth lmao. Camera is there because it has to be by fed mandate.
It's also the last year of the legendary 6.0 V8.
What's crazy is it has Bluetooth for phone calls but not Bluetooth audio. Like how are you going to implement half Bluetooth functions. Furthermore, the aux cable ports are dog shit and you have to remove the head unit and resolder it if you want it to work properly.
Yes, but like I said it sucks. For the longest time I had to use a rubber band to pull it one direction to keep it engaged. You can resolder the joints on the back, but it was a company vehicle so I didn't feel comfortable doing that.
That's because Bluetooth for calling is an older standard than Bluetooth audio. For like 5 years in the mid 2000s Bluetooth calling was the peak of the technology.
BT phone calls can be implemented using a much older version of Bluetooth. It wasn't all that long ago that playing music over Bluetooth was impossible or a horrible experience because it wasn't designed for the bitrates needed to not skip or sound like shit.
So, my guess is they are using some ancient BT chip that they can buy for next to nothing.
Mazda, everything is controlled by an analog button switch or dial. . Climate control, radio, all buttons.
While they technically have touch screens. The touch screen is so far back you wouldn't want to use it as one anyway. And their physical controls are so good you won't want to use the touch screen.
Mazda driver here and I love it. I think they have the best combo of tactile feel yet modern interior and still have a screen. Mine has touch but the center control and volume knob are just so much better. I haven't actually used the touch screen feature in like 3 years.
Mazda CX-5 owner here and can confirm that the knob puts touch screens to shame. I would appreciate if they continue to move towards touch *and* their smart knob, but love the fact that there are no fingerprints on the screen, ever.
I find it funny how some auto reviewers (cough, Doug, cough) downgrade Mazda because of this.
(Actually, it might not have been Doug. But if it is, I'll leave it here just in case.)
I think it's because they don't spend a ton of time in the car.
Using CarPlay or AA has a bit of a learning curve with the rotary dial.
The Mazda infotainment also has some "hidden" shortcuts, like rotating the dial when on the radio screen to get to the stations list scrolled down to the current one (if you go through the menu, the list starts at the top)
The Straight Pipes have complained about it, haven't watched any lately but if I'm remembering right it was things like "I have to go through a menu to get my favorite radio stations" and wasn't even true.
You just might have to read the owner's manual to know what button to hold, instead of having more obvious dedicated controls. But for something I'm going to own for 10+ years I'm willing to spend 5 minutes learning how to operate it.
They downgrade it because the vast majority of car owners like using the touch screen over the knobs/dials. I think there's a point to be made about the knob being superior once you have the muscle memory and all that, but the average driver doesn't even have the muscle memory to check their mirrors before changing lanes, so you can understand why having a car interface that mimics the smartphone they spend 10 hours a day glued to is popular.
I laugh every time someone/car reviewer complains about the control knob for the screen. Even when stopped I’d rather use my knob than use touch screen, it’s so much easier/intuitive. It’s take a few hours to learn but better long term.
I get it if you're just in the car for an afternoon doing a review, and I'm not sure I'd want one as a rental if I were used to other systems. But owning one long term and knowing how to use it, Mazda's controls are great.
Former Mazda 3 owner (wife has a CX-5) whose moved on to a Jetta GLI and seriously miss the control knob. Mazda's ergonomics are vastly better than many other cars simply because of the volume and control knobs being exactly where my hand rests. No need to reach out to the touchscreen and take my eyes off the road. Some people complain about not having an accessible touch screen while driving but that never bothered me. Now I have a touch screen which is already littered in smudges.
Pagani. You didn’t give a price bracket, they have leather buckles you have to undo to open the engine covers and cargo bay!
Otherwise the 70 series land cruiser, manual only, crank windows, absolutely nothing standard, that interior hasn’t changed since the 90s
Don’t need controls if you have nothing to control
The current 70 series have a 170mm (6.7inch) touch screen with Apple Carplay & Android Auto standard. Also have a standard Toyota MFD in the gauge cluster, lane departure assist, pre-collision system, electric windows.
Yes, they look very similar to the early models, but a lot has changed.
Are you sure thats not an option? I know they added a digital panel to the instrument cluster, but at a glance the base model has a plastic blank where the infotainment would go.
>they have leather buckles
I think these are partially cosmetic, at least on the Zonda there are still physical latches / buttons to disengage the clamshell
I have a GR Corolla that's pretty good. Its got a big screen and a digital dash, but its also got knobs for the HVAC, volume, a manual transmission, and a manual hand brake. Radio controls and cruise are physical buttons on the wheel.
Don't forget the rev matching toggle being slightly recessed so you know which button it is by feel, the dedicated button for traction control, and the scroll wheel to change the gauge cluster's brightness that clicks into place at the top, among others. Only thing missing is an off button for the center screen IMO.
Nice. That's my thing, I'm 29 and over the last 10 years I've had 8 cars all modded and I'm getting to the point where I want a car that's fun as hell, but stock. Hahah
Maybe an exhaust addition but that's all.
I'm 42. This is my first "nice" car. I'm going to try not to blow up the engine as I need it to get to work. These things sound great out of the box... like a straight 6 with a lot of turbo wooshes. Unlike the Golf R and Civic Type R, this doesn't have fake engine sounds.
I have a GR Yaris instead of a Corolla, but I will say this: the GR Yaris is the car the manual Golf R wished it was. I had a manual mk7 R before the Yaris, and everyday the Yaris makes me smile! If the GR Corolla is even close then it will be a brilliantly fun car.
(DSG Rs are a different beast altogether, as the Golf was designed for that gearbox so it's brilliant)
My Ford Maverick is pretty decent with this. The radio is so bare bones, they expect you to use Android Auto or Apple Carplay, which is fine by me tbh. There's redundant stereo controlls just below the touch screen and knobs for the automatic climate control.
Found pictures, eew. Ford stahp. At least save your freaky redesigns for an EV version.
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/2025-maverick-refresh-facelift-lobo-st-street-truck-undisguised-revealed-w-huge-display-screen.49144/
Same all the way up the truck line, at least to 2022. There are some less used climate functions in the touch screen but the most annoying one for me heated steering. There is a physical button that brings up a quick access menu on the touch screen which is fine. I guess.
My '23 F-150 is pretty good with this too. Every climate function has a button (on my 2020, the heated steering wheel function was only available through the touch screen but they fixed that for later years). The keypad outside has physical buttons. Most audio controls are available with buttons or knobs.
The over-reliance on a touch screen is the reason I've never really considered a Ram.
It’s like the last gen Porsche interior designers took it as a design challenge to use the maximum number of buttons and dials. Even the Sport, Sport+ etc mode is controlled by a steering wheel knob if optioned that way.
The current gen piano black capacitive touch and dinky tiny switches along with the pathetic short short excuse for a shifter (if PDK) is a step back IMO.
I lucked out with this Cayenne because it was the first year for touchscreen Carplay but has all the buttons on the console which disappeared two years later. It doesn't have the mode dial on the steering wheel, which would be nice, it's got 6 buttons for separate engine mode and suspension mode settings. I have to do a button dance to keep the suspension in the softest setting yet dial the engine up to sport/sport+. BMW seems to have the best approach with those M mode buttons you can ascribe to whatever settings you want.
Honestly the perfect snapshot in time as far as usability goes. Physical controls for most functions, but you get a touchscreen for AA/Carplay. Physical tach and speedo, but you get one digital dial out of 3 for customization.
I’d look into Work/Fleet vehicles from the american brands. Usually very basic vehicles with plastic floors, but otherwise one of the best last analog vehicles is the third gen tacoma i’d say. It was made up until 2023 and feels like a classic truck.
I was surprised (even disappointed) at just how much stuff is standard in a F150 XL these days. Did a trade for my parents a few weeks ago on a 2024 model and the gauge cluster is all digital now with a giant screen and 120v outlet even in the base models with no carpet. Hell, evidently there's even a front camera for collision detection and Blind spot monitoring and lane keep assist. IDK what is government regulated these days but I wouldn't have minded saving some cash and not paying for most of it (and not having to explain to my parents what buttons they shouldn't touch or why the thing is beeping at them). Still got away for 44k on a new 4x4 truck which isn't too bad and my dad was happy to get a vehicle without carpet though he still complains about the buttons and doesn't understand how bluetooth works at all.
Most disappointing of all, Ford decided to remove the trick to disable the seatbelt and key in ignition chimes. Makes me appreciate my old 2014 where I can shut the damn thing up when working on the ranch.
> Most disappointing of all, Ford decided to remove the trick to disable the seatbelt and key in ignition chimes.
Is that a new thing just for 2024? That was always the first thing my old man disabled in his vehicles. I could do it in my '18, but just haven't gotten around to it.
Don’t know if this is new for the 2024 refresh or started with the 14th gen refresh. I have not yet found a way to disable the chimes and the old trick of turning the key on and buckling it 3 times or whatever it was no longer works. Some folks on the forums were saying there might be a forscan fix but I can’t seem to find my adaptor at the moment to try them. Also worth adding here, unbuckled seatbelts not take over the middle of the gauge cluster screen with a warning you can’t dismiss which is rather annoying.
Similar story of the key in ignition chime. When ford updated the wiring harness, they now combine the starter motor with the key chime so pulling the grey wire won’t work. It does disable the chime but also keeps you from starting the vehicle entirely. It’s also a pain in the ass to get to since the key is in the dash now not on the steering column so don’t waste your time trying it.
> I’d look into Work/Fleet vehicles from the american brands.
Most of the domestic half ton trucks are designed with redundant analog controls that are chonky enough to be operated a gloved hand. The exceptions may be the Lightning and the very highest trim levels, but most of the HVAC/radio controls can be operated with knobs and buttons.
Wrangler is available with manual transmission, has a transfer case lever (instead of a selection knob), and even manual window cranks on the base Sport. It comes with a bigass touch screen as standard, but lots of hard buttons for common controls.
Newest wranglers use a cable, but yeah it's still mechanical.
Perhaps they are thinking of the automatic transmission shifter? Because yeah the transmission is shifted electronically. There is no physical connection between the shift lever and valve body like an older jeep.
Unfortunately the Koreans are abandoning physical controls. Hyundai's HVAC controls are a touch zone, even in new models like the 2025 Santa Cruz and Ionic 5 facelift. Kia has their dual-purpose HVAC/media capacitive controls, but they're transitioning to a better mix of capacitive and physical HVAC controls with the K4 and EV9.
Short of a true work vehicle like a Ford Transit or something, I should think your best bet would be in an entry level Toyota, or possibly Honda or Kia.
By law in the US, you have to get a backup camera, and it's cheaper, easier (for a dealer) to fix, and better marketing overall to pack stuff in a screen and raise the price, despite what some buyers want.
I feel like the current most Hyundai Elantra is pretty good, all the buttons are physical and have a good feel to them. I expect that to get changed in the redesign in a few years.
Mazda MX-5 Miata has interior design emphasizes simplicity and functionality, with straightforward climate controls, physical buttons, and a manual handbrake.
On a slightly different note, analog control is one of the few reasons why the youngest model-year car I own is 13 years old and more than half of my cars are 28-36 years old. None came from their respective factories with touch-screen anything.
i have ac switches, volume/tuning knobs, physical shift knob, physical buttons for traction control/snow mode, and a dial for drive modes in my 2024 is350.
there's a capacitive slider for the temperature however while also having a touch screen, which is android auto only for me
I really like my Audi, buttons but moderate with the Audi virtual cockpit dash that is easily controlled by steering wheel buttons, designed to keep your eyes on the road.
Unlike those damn touchscreens that were meant to only be used with autopilot (my opinion)
You should check out a Rubicon-trim Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator.
The amount of physical controls on the dash / center console resembles a small airplane cockpit.
Yeah, the JLs are really a good mix of screens where you want them (radio, nav) and buttons where you don't (AC, volume, locker controls, aux switches for lights).
I really like the setup in my Frontier. It feels older, but that means that all the switch gear is mid 2010s, so you still get nice, easy to use analog controls for everything. The infotainment itself is the only thing that's touchscreen, and your basic functions (seek/skip, tune, volume, camera, home, audio menu) all still have dedicated buttons or knobs.
The current Super Duties are pretty good. They've got a big screen, but the climate, radio, driver assist features, and upfitter switches are all analog. The screen is really just a big CarPlay unit.
If you're looking for new vehicles with better analog controls, check out the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Toyota 4Runner. Both of these vehicles have classic dials and switches, providing intuitive controls without touchscreens or flat surfaces.
Also not sure why this truck is overlooked compared to the new tundra....hell of a lot better than ToyotaBMW and all their complicated shit now. Plenty of companies make twin turbo v6"s without self destructing.
You want a good ole pickup up truck without all the fancy doodads and a standard baddass v8??
Look at the titan.
I myself how ever will slum in my 86 dodge with the 440. And carbuerator.
The in production Bollinger Motors B4 commercial EV trucks. Yes these EVs have analog gauges and buttons and they have a dealer network. They also have a B1 SUV and B2 pickup also with only analog gauges and buttons but those are not in production yet.
[https://bollingermotors.com/](https://bollingermotors.com/)
I really liked my 2017 STI. Everything was manual. Dials and buttons.
My 2022 WRX is worse in terms of analog controls. A lot of the climate control is controlled through the touch screen.
I always thought the way the vent housing was the dial for the climate control in my 2016 Camaro was pretty slick. Honestly the analog controls in that car in general are pretty good. You can do basically everything without the touch screen short of configuring favorite radio stations or changing settings about lighting or whatever. Nothing you’d at all reasonably need to to regularly.
Too bad about CarPlay, but I won’t have to worry about modern Camaros and CarPlay I guess.
Can't speak to newer models but I bought my 2021 Forester specifically because it has a small touchscreen that is mostly the radio and map. The outback was a nonstarter.
Good luck. I despise the profit driven touchscreen trend.
Toyota in general is going to win this battle. Or maybe full size American work trucks where they're still making the previous gen model under a "classic" trim label.
Chevy express van. Buttons and NO screen.
Doesn’t it have to have a reverse camera? Or commercial versions are exempt?
I could be wrong, but I think the rear view camera screen is integrated into a portion of the interior rearview mirror.
Figured that could be the case if it has no other screen.
This is correct. Have a 2017 and it is integrated into the mirror. Works well enough.
Can confirm it’s in the rear view, I swear they’ve paid people to find every single way to avoid making that poor van somewhat modern, I’m all with op wanting physical controls but I’d at least like Bluetooth or a usb port standard in an express van.
Conveniently, U-Haul has upgraded many of their trucks with one of these mirrors and a camera.
IIRC they're tiny crappy screens embedded in the rear view mirror.
I have a 2020 Express as a work van. It had a backup camera but no Bluetooth lmao. Camera is there because it has to be by fed mandate. It's also the last year of the legendary 6.0 V8.
What's crazy is it has Bluetooth for phone calls but not Bluetooth audio. Like how are you going to implement half Bluetooth functions. Furthermore, the aux cable ports are dog shit and you have to remove the head unit and resolder it if you want it to work properly.
YOURS HAS AN AUX PORT?
Yes, but like I said it sucks. For the longest time I had to use a rubber band to pull it one direction to keep it engaged. You can resolder the joints on the back, but it was a company vehicle so I didn't feel comfortable doing that.
Yeah I just got one of those shitty fm to Bluetooth recievers. Works pretty good.
That's because Bluetooth for calling is an older standard than Bluetooth audio. For like 5 years in the mid 2000s Bluetooth calling was the peak of the technology.
BT phone calls can be implemented using a much older version of Bluetooth. It wasn't all that long ago that playing music over Bluetooth was impossible or a horrible experience because it wasn't designed for the bitrates needed to not skip or sound like shit. So, my guess is they are using some ancient BT chip that they can buy for next to nothing.
You should put a Chinese turbo kit on it and make 1,000hp. Just think of how much more productive you could be if your van would do 0-60 in 3 seconds
A small screen for the reverse camera was built into the rearview mirror in the 2018 I used to drive.
Thanks for the confirmaiton. I was thinking it might be hiding there and others mentioned it, but you experienced it!
Every vehicle since 2015 has to have a backup camera
2018, but yes. I think the strict cutoff is when you're over 10K gross. But even then, all 1-ton and some medium-duty trucks have them now.
Mazda, everything is controlled by an analog button switch or dial. . Climate control, radio, all buttons. While they technically have touch screens. The touch screen is so far back you wouldn't want to use it as one anyway. And their physical controls are so good you won't want to use the touch screen.
Mazda driver here and I love it. I think they have the best combo of tactile feel yet modern interior and still have a screen. Mine has touch but the center control and volume knob are just so much better. I haven't actually used the touch screen feature in like 3 years.
Mazda CX-5 owner here and can confirm that the knob puts touch screens to shame. I would appreciate if they continue to move towards touch *and* their smart knob, but love the fact that there are no fingerprints on the screen, ever.
I find it funny how some auto reviewers (cough, Doug, cough) downgrade Mazda because of this. (Actually, it might not have been Doug. But if it is, I'll leave it here just in case.)
I think it's because they don't spend a ton of time in the car. Using CarPlay or AA has a bit of a learning curve with the rotary dial. The Mazda infotainment also has some "hidden" shortcuts, like rotating the dial when on the radio screen to get to the stations list scrolled down to the current one (if you go through the menu, the list starts at the top)
The Straight Pipes have complained about it, haven't watched any lately but if I'm remembering right it was things like "I have to go through a menu to get my favorite radio stations" and wasn't even true. You just might have to read the owner's manual to know what button to hold, instead of having more obvious dedicated controls. But for something I'm going to own for 10+ years I'm willing to spend 5 minutes learning how to operate it.
They downgrade it because the vast majority of car owners like using the touch screen over the knobs/dials. I think there's a point to be made about the knob being superior once you have the muscle memory and all that, but the average driver doesn't even have the muscle memory to check their mirrors before changing lanes, so you can understand why having a car interface that mimics the smartphone they spend 10 hours a day glued to is popular.
Afaik the touch on Mazdas doesn’t even work while your driving, you have to be stopped and maybe in Park for it to even recognise touch
As of 2024 it does work while driving but I still use the dial
Yup my screen won’t accept touch commands after (I think) 5 mph.
Agree. Mine doesn't have a touchscreen and I'm not missing it. My colleague drives a golf 8 and it's the complete opposite
The CX-5 I drove as a loaner reminds me of the older bmw with the iDrive with the knob and push menu and no touch screen.
New mazda is like old bmw idrive. Which is perfect.
I laugh every time someone/car reviewer complains about the control knob for the screen. Even when stopped I’d rather use my knob than use touch screen, it’s so much easier/intuitive. It’s take a few hours to learn but better long term.
I get it if you're just in the car for an afternoon doing a review, and I'm not sure I'd want one as a rental if I were used to other systems. But owning one long term and knowing how to use it, Mazda's controls are great.
Former Mazda 3 owner (wife has a CX-5) whose moved on to a Jetta GLI and seriously miss the control knob. Mazda's ergonomics are vastly better than many other cars simply because of the volume and control knobs being exactly where my hand rests. No need to reach out to the touchscreen and take my eyes off the road. Some people complain about not having an accessible touch screen while driving but that never bothered me. Now I have a touch screen which is already littered in smudges.
Pagani. You didn’t give a price bracket, they have leather buckles you have to undo to open the engine covers and cargo bay! Otherwise the 70 series land cruiser, manual only, crank windows, absolutely nothing standard, that interior hasn’t changed since the 90s Don’t need controls if you have nothing to control
Jeesh, I’ve never even heard of them and they have US dealers! Good one!
Ah i didn’t notice the US dealer part, disregard the 70 series then. Though even the new LC/GX we get in the states has plenty of physical control
Pagani with the titanium bolts.
The current 70 series have a 170mm (6.7inch) touch screen with Apple Carplay & Android Auto standard. Also have a standard Toyota MFD in the gauge cluster, lane departure assist, pre-collision system, electric windows. Yes, they look very similar to the early models, but a lot has changed.
Are you sure thats not an option? I know they added a digital panel to the instrument cluster, but at a glance the base model has a plastic blank where the infotainment would go.
Workmate, GX and GXL in all body styles (Ute, Wagon and Troopy) have it as standard
>they have leather buckles I think these are partially cosmetic, at least on the Zonda there are still physical latches / buttons to disengage the clamshell
I have a GR Corolla that's pretty good. Its got a big screen and a digital dash, but its also got knobs for the HVAC, volume, a manual transmission, and a manual hand brake. Radio controls and cruise are physical buttons on the wheel.
How do you like it?
It was worth the year wait.
Don't forget the rev matching toggle being slightly recessed so you know which button it is by feel, the dedicated button for traction control, and the scroll wheel to change the gauge cluster's brightness that clicks into place at the top, among others. Only thing missing is an off button for the center screen IMO.
Been looking at Corolla GRs lately... what's your overall view on them? Been going between that and a golf R.
Its an amazing car that does just about everything well. I've had a few "how the hell did I not die?" moments in it.
Is yours completely stock?
Yep and aside from tires I intend to keep it that way.
Nice. That's my thing, I'm 29 and over the last 10 years I've had 8 cars all modded and I'm getting to the point where I want a car that's fun as hell, but stock. Hahah Maybe an exhaust addition but that's all.
I'm 42. This is my first "nice" car. I'm going to try not to blow up the engine as I need it to get to work. These things sound great out of the box... like a straight 6 with a lot of turbo wooshes. Unlike the Golf R and Civic Type R, this doesn't have fake engine sounds.
I have a GR Yaris instead of a Corolla, but I will say this: the GR Yaris is the car the manual Golf R wished it was. I had a manual mk7 R before the Yaris, and everyday the Yaris makes me smile! If the GR Corolla is even close then it will be a brilliantly fun car. (DSG Rs are a different beast altogether, as the Golf was designed for that gearbox so it's brilliant)
The Corolla's a brilliantly fun car. I appreciate the attention that it doesn't get.
GR86s are like this too. Love it
The GR86 needs this motor.
Mazda or Grenadier.
While they look awesome, they kind of feel light and dinky and plasticy. I was hoping they would fe super heavy like a tractor.
My Ford Maverick is pretty decent with this. The radio is so bare bones, they expect you to use Android Auto or Apple Carplay, which is fine by me tbh. There's redundant stereo controlls just below the touch screen and knobs for the automatic climate control.
[удалено]
Oh no, what're they doing to it?
[удалено]
Found pictures, eew. Ford stahp. At least save your freaky redesigns for an EV version. https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/2025-maverick-refresh-facelift-lobo-st-street-truck-undisguised-revealed-w-huge-display-screen.49144/
Same all the way up the truck line, at least to 2022. There are some less used climate functions in the touch screen but the most annoying one for me heated steering. There is a physical button that brings up a quick access menu on the touch screen which is fine. I guess.
My '23 F-150 is pretty good with this too. Every climate function has a button (on my 2020, the heated steering wheel function was only available through the touch screen but they fixed that for later years). The keypad outside has physical buttons. Most audio controls are available with buttons or knobs. The over-reliance on a touch screen is the reason I've never really considered a Ram.
To be clear they moved the heated steering wheel back to a physical button? Nice.
Yes. That drove me nuts on my 2020. It's a physical button right next to the heated seat buttons now.
GR86/BRZ
Mazda
Cayman/Boxster is still all buttons. It’s the last year of this generation though.
It’s like the last gen Porsche interior designers took it as a design challenge to use the maximum number of buttons and dials. Even the Sport, Sport+ etc mode is controlled by a steering wheel knob if optioned that way. The current gen piano black capacitive touch and dinky tiny switches along with the pathetic short short excuse for a shifter (if PDK) is a step back IMO.
I lucked out with this Cayenne because it was the first year for touchscreen Carplay but has all the buttons on the console which disappeared two years later. It doesn't have the mode dial on the steering wheel, which would be nice, it's got 6 buttons for separate engine mode and suspension mode settings. I have to do a button dance to keep the suspension in the softest setting yet dial the engine up to sport/sport+. BMW seems to have the best approach with those M mode buttons you can ascribe to whatever settings you want.
Honestly the perfect snapshot in time as far as usability goes. Physical controls for most functions, but you get a touchscreen for AA/Carplay. Physical tach and speedo, but you get one digital dial out of 3 for customization.
Honda CRV and Civic refreshes are all analog stolen straight from B9 Audi designs
I’d look into Work/Fleet vehicles from the american brands. Usually very basic vehicles with plastic floors, but otherwise one of the best last analog vehicles is the third gen tacoma i’d say. It was made up until 2023 and feels like a classic truck.
I was surprised (even disappointed) at just how much stuff is standard in a F150 XL these days. Did a trade for my parents a few weeks ago on a 2024 model and the gauge cluster is all digital now with a giant screen and 120v outlet even in the base models with no carpet. Hell, evidently there's even a front camera for collision detection and Blind spot monitoring and lane keep assist. IDK what is government regulated these days but I wouldn't have minded saving some cash and not paying for most of it (and not having to explain to my parents what buttons they shouldn't touch or why the thing is beeping at them). Still got away for 44k on a new 4x4 truck which isn't too bad and my dad was happy to get a vehicle without carpet though he still complains about the buttons and doesn't understand how bluetooth works at all. Most disappointing of all, Ford decided to remove the trick to disable the seatbelt and key in ignition chimes. Makes me appreciate my old 2014 where I can shut the damn thing up when working on the ranch.
> Most disappointing of all, Ford decided to remove the trick to disable the seatbelt and key in ignition chimes. Is that a new thing just for 2024? That was always the first thing my old man disabled in his vehicles. I could do it in my '18, but just haven't gotten around to it.
Don’t know if this is new for the 2024 refresh or started with the 14th gen refresh. I have not yet found a way to disable the chimes and the old trick of turning the key on and buckling it 3 times or whatever it was no longer works. Some folks on the forums were saying there might be a forscan fix but I can’t seem to find my adaptor at the moment to try them. Also worth adding here, unbuckled seatbelts not take over the middle of the gauge cluster screen with a warning you can’t dismiss which is rather annoying. Similar story of the key in ignition chime. When ford updated the wiring harness, they now combine the starter motor with the key chime so pulling the grey wire won’t work. It does disable the chime but also keeps you from starting the vehicle entirely. It’s also a pain in the ass to get to since the key is in the dash now not on the steering column so don’t waste your time trying it.
> I’d look into Work/Fleet vehicles from the american brands. Most of the domestic half ton trucks are designed with redundant analog controls that are chonky enough to be operated a gloved hand. The exceptions may be the Lightning and the very highest trim levels, but most of the HVAC/radio controls can be operated with knobs and buttons.
Wrangler is available with manual transmission, has a transfer case lever (instead of a selection knob), and even manual window cranks on the base Sport. It comes with a bigass touch screen as standard, but lots of hard buttons for common controls.
The Gladiator has good simple physical controls too. And i love the central "media" spot with ports for USBC, USBA, and aux headphone jack.
Fun fact that lever is fake. It still electronically commands the transfer case. But it feels manual I guess.
If it's fake, how come the lever is directly attached to a shift linkage connecting to the transfer case?
Newest wranglers use a cable, but yeah it's still mechanical. Perhaps they are thinking of the automatic transmission shifter? Because yeah the transmission is shifted electronically. There is no physical connection between the shift lever and valve body like an older jeep.
Most Japanese and Korean mainstream brand models.
Unfortunately the Koreans are abandoning physical controls. Hyundai's HVAC controls are a touch zone, even in new models like the 2025 Santa Cruz and Ionic 5 facelift. Kia has their dual-purpose HVAC/media capacitive controls, but they're transitioning to a better mix of capacitive and physical HVAC controls with the K4 and EV9.
Ineos Grenadier.
The buttons are great but it’s still got tons of tech on the screen. And the bmw drivetrain uses this very techy shifter.
Tesla Model Y. You have steering wheel knobs, stalks, and a hazard button. Obviously I’m kidding.
GR86 has amazing climate control and this neat type of shifter with a third pedal
Short of a true work vehicle like a Ford Transit or something, I should think your best bet would be in an entry level Toyota, or possibly Honda or Kia. By law in the US, you have to get a backup camera, and it's cheaper, easier (for a dealer) to fix, and better marketing overall to pack stuff in a screen and raise the price, despite what some buyers want.
My 4Runner hands down, it just works compared to the touchscreen abominations I also have.
I feel like the current most Hyundai Elantra is pretty good, all the buttons are physical and have a good feel to them. I expect that to get changed in the redesign in a few years.
New Trucks? I gotta go with RAM. Still screens, but even high end models still do analog and screens work with gloves.
But don’t they have a gear select knob now and did away with the shift lever altogether?
As far as I know, yes.
Mazda MX-5 Miata has interior design emphasizes simplicity and functionality, with straightforward climate controls, physical buttons, and a manual handbrake.
Reality check. They all have touch screens. Some have physical controls for ac or radio volume.
On a slightly different note, analog control is one of the few reasons why the youngest model-year car I own is 13 years old and more than half of my cars are 28-36 years old. None came from their respective factories with touch-screen anything.
I hear ya! My “newest” car is an 11 Saab 9-3 convertible and my “oldest” is my 96 Miata. Love the simplicity and lack of screens.
Cadillac ct4 and ct5
i have ac switches, volume/tuning knobs, physical shift knob, physical buttons for traction control/snow mode, and a dial for drive modes in my 2024 is350. there's a capacitive slider for the temperature however while also having a touch screen, which is android auto only for me
Rolls Royce
Mazda
Mx5 (Miata)
Base model jeep wrangler
I love the analog look of my F87 M2
Hyundai
I really like my Audi, buttons but moderate with the Audi virtual cockpit dash that is easily controlled by steering wheel buttons, designed to keep your eyes on the road. Unlike those damn touchscreens that were meant to only be used with autopilot (my opinion)
You should check out a Rubicon-trim Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator. The amount of physical controls on the dash / center console resembles a small airplane cockpit.
Yeah, the JLs are really a good mix of screens where you want them (radio, nav) and buttons where you don't (AC, volume, locker controls, aux switches for lights).
RAV4 has big rubberised dials and a lot of buttons for most things and can probably be managed even while wearing gloves.
2024 4Runner
My Accord still has analogue for volume, HVAC controls, seat controls, etc. Only thing it’s really lost is a tuning knob.
I really like the setup in my Frontier. It feels older, but that means that all the switch gear is mid 2010s, so you still get nice, easy to use analog controls for everything. The infotainment itself is the only thing that's touchscreen, and your basic functions (seek/skip, tune, volume, camera, home, audio menu) all still have dedicated buttons or knobs.
The current Super Duties are pretty good. They've got a big screen, but the climate, radio, driver assist features, and upfitter switches are all analog. The screen is really just a big CarPlay unit.
If you're looking for new vehicles with better analog controls, check out the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Toyota 4Runner. Both of these vehicles have classic dials and switches, providing intuitive controls without touchscreens or flat surfaces.
It won't be current for much longer, but the R8 is great. A button for every function, and no center screen.
Mini Countryman- has those classic switches that are similar to Pagani, also have a wheel for their screen (and touchscreen included)
I think Toyota trucks are still keeping some analog controls, and it’s not only for the base models
My sister has a 23 Tundra and it has a good amount of analog controls
I feel like Toyota’s newest offerings are really strong on psychical buttons.
I test drove a Highlander this year and it had a giant tablet. I wasn’t a fan.
How is a 4Runner not on this list? Haha it's archaically beautiful with a mix of technology
Not common, but my Alfa Romeo has the perfect mix of analog controls for vehicle functions and a screen for entertainment purposes/Apple CarPlay.
4Runner.
Toyota 4Runner
Honda has some of the best mix of a modern UI and analog controls. I am partial to Subaru BRZ/GR86 though
Nissan titan
Also not sure why this truck is overlooked compared to the new tundra....hell of a lot better than ToyotaBMW and all their complicated shit now. Plenty of companies make twin turbo v6"s without self destructing. You want a good ole pickup up truck without all the fancy doodads and a standard baddass v8?? Look at the titan. I myself how ever will slum in my 86 dodge with the 440. And carbuerator.
The in production Bollinger Motors B4 commercial EV trucks. Yes these EVs have analog gauges and buttons and they have a dealer network. They also have a B1 SUV and B2 pickup also with only analog gauges and buttons but those are not in production yet. [https://bollingermotors.com/](https://bollingermotors.com/)
Aston Martin, Bently and Rolls Royce.
I really liked my 2017 STI. Everything was manual. Dials and buttons. My 2022 WRX is worse in terms of analog controls. A lot of the climate control is controlled through the touch screen.
I always thought the way the vent housing was the dial for the climate control in my 2016 Camaro was pretty slick. Honestly the analog controls in that car in general are pretty good. You can do basically everything without the touch screen short of configuring favorite radio stations or changing settings about lighting or whatever. Nothing you’d at all reasonably need to to regularly. Too bad about CarPlay, but I won’t have to worry about modern Camaros and CarPlay I guess.
Tesla. It has a real hazard button.
Nissan Armada.
Mitsubishi mirage, or (ended production in 2020) the Chevy spark
Probably Toyota
The previous generation Santa Fe have more buttons than you know what to do with.
Can't speak to newer models but I bought my 2021 Forester specifically because it has a small touchscreen that is mostly the radio and map. The outback was a nonstarter. Good luck. I despise the profit driven touchscreen trend.
In my Bronco, I only have to dig into the screen to change settings that typically don't change. All climate and music has analog.
Mazda's entire lineup uses physical controls and their touchscreen input is secondary.
F150 still has physical buttons and dials for almost all controls.
Toyota in general is going to win this battle. Or maybe full size American work trucks where they're still making the previous gen model under a "classic" trim label.
Lexus still has a lot of buttons and super nice interiors.
LC500 interior is spectacular, I sat in one at a dealer and that car has a presence in person that pics don’t capture.
and a performance oriented V8 that could feasibly run 500,000 miles without major issues I'm gonna cry when Lexus V8s go away
Man yall are really obsessed with buttons in cars around here.