The automotive industry is a fascinating playground of innovation and style. Every year, we see new trends that are supposed to make our driving experience better, more luxurious, or just plain cooler. But not every trend is a winner—some are downright annoying, while others have overstayed their welcome. It’s time to say goodbye to the worst offenders. Let’s take a drive through the top 5 car trends that really need to die.
Table of Contents
1. Touch-Sensitive Climate and Steering Wheel Controls: A Tactile Nightmare
Remember the days when you could adjust the temperature in your car without looking down, thanks to those trusty knobs and buttons? Well, those days are fading fast, replaced by touch-sensitive controls that are more frustrating than fumbling with a smartphone while wearing gloves.
Take the Volkswagen Golf Mk8, for example. It’s a fantastic car, but the decision to swap out physical buttons for touch-sensitive sliders and pads has left drivers, quite literally, cold. Imagine trying to adjust the climate control on a bumpy road. You swipe, you tap, but instead of warming up, you accidentally blast the A/C, turning your car into a freezer.
And it’s not just the climate controls. Steering wheels are now sporting touch-sensitive buttons that are supposed to be more intuitive but end up being more distracting. Take a look at the Honda Civic’s new steering wheel—it’s stylish, sure, but good luck trying to change the radio station without accidentally activating the voice assistant. Let’s bring back the good old-fashioned buttons that worked just fine, thank you very much.
2. Connected Tail-Lamps: The Overexposed Trend
There was a time when connected tail lamps were the height of automotive chic. They were exclusive, seen only on luxury cars like the Audi A8, where the seamless design added an air of sophistication and uniqueness. But now? It seems like every car on the road has them. What started as a way to stand out has become a way to blend in.
Take the Kia Seltos, for example. It’s a great compact SUV, but the connected tail lamps don’t have the same impact when you see them on everything from a budget-friendly hatchback to a high-end sedan. The overuse of this design feature has turned what was once a stylish statement into background noise. It’s like seeing everyone at the party wearing the same designer dress—what’s the point if it’s no longer special?
3. Minimalistic Interior Design: Where’s the Personality?
Minimalism in car interiors was a breath of fresh air when it first hit the scene. We all welcomed the clean lines and clutter-free dashboards that gave cars like the Tesla Model 3 a futuristic vibe. But the problem with minimalism is that, when taken too far, it starts to feel empty—literally.
Take the Polestar 2, for instance. The interior is so minimal that it feels like something is missing. Sure, it looks sleek, but when you have to navigate through several menus on a touchscreen just to adjust your seat, it becomes more of a hassle than a luxury. And let’s not forget about the storage—or lack thereof. Minimalist designs often sacrifice practical storage spaces, leaving you wondering where to put your phone, wallet, or even a simple cup of coffee.
Minimalism has its place, but when your car starts feeling more like a sterile art gallery than a comfortable ride, it’s time to rethink the design philosophy. Let’s bring back some character and functionality to our car interiors.
4. Car Subscriptions: The Greediest Trend
Car subscriptions sounded like a cool idea at first. The promise was that you could have the latest features and technology at your fingertips, with the flexibility to upgrade whenever you wanted. But in practice, it’s become a way for automakers to nickel and dime us to death.
Look at BMW’s infamous decision to charge a subscription fee for Apple CarPlay. It’s a feature that comes standard on many budget cars, yet BMW decided that its customers should pay an annual fee for the privilege of using it. And they didn’t stop there—heated seats, driver-assistance features, even remote start have all been locked behind paywalls in various models.
It’s like buying a premium coffee machine only to find out you must pay a monthly fee to use the milk frother. Car buyers should be able to enjoy the features they’ve already paid for without being squeezed for more cash. Let’s put an end to this trend before it gets any worse.
5. SUV Coupes: The Design Nobody Asked For
SUVs are fantastic for their practicality, and coupes are admired for their sporty looks. But combining the two? That’s a trend that leaves us scratching our heads. Who asked for SUV coupes? Apparently, nobody, yet here we are with vehicles that look like they’re suffering from an identity crisis.
Take the BMW X6, the poster child for SUV coupes. It’s supposed to offer the best of both worlds, but it ends up compromising on both. The sloping roofline looks sporty, sure, but it cuts into rear headroom and cargo space—two things an SUV should excel at. And what do you get in return? A vehicle that’s neither as practical as an SUV nor as sleek as a coupe.
The trend has spread to other brands too, with Mercedes, Audi, and even Lamborghini jumping on the bandwagon. But let’s be honest—SUV coupes look like they’re trying too hard. They’re the automotive equivalent of wearing a tuxedo jacket with sweatpants. It’s time to let this trend die and stick to what each body style does best.
Final Thoughts
Trends in the automotive world come and go, but some are overdue for retirement. From touch-sensitive controls that complicate simple tasks to SUV coupes that leave us puzzled, these trends have had their moment in the spotlight, and now it’s time to move on. Let’s hope automakers listen and let these trends drift into obscurity, where they belong. After all, driving should be enjoyable, not an exercise in frustration.
FAQs
1. Why are touch-sensitive controls considered a bad trend?
Touch-sensitive controls, while sleek in appearance, can be frustrating to use, especially while driving. They lack the tactile feedback of traditional buttons, making it difficult to operate them without taking your eyes off the road. This can lead to distractions and even potential safety hazards.
2. What’s wrong with connected tail lamps? Aren’t they stylish?
Connected tail lamps were once a unique and stylish feature, but they’ve become so common that they’ve lost their original appeal. When every car on the road has them, they no longer stand out and can make cars look more generic than distinctive.
3. What’s the downside to minimalist car interiors?
While minimalist interiors can look clean and modern, they often sacrifice functionality and comfort. Essential features may be buried in touchscreen menus, and the lack of physical controls can make simple tasks more complicated. Additionally, the design can sometimes feel too sterile, lacking the warmth and personality that make a car’s interior inviting.
4. Why are car subscriptions seen as a negative trend?
Car subscriptions force owners to pay ongoing fees for features that were once included in the purchase price. This can lead to frustration, as buyers feel they are being charged extra for features that should be standard, such as heated seats or Apple CarPlay. It’s seen as a greedy practice that nickel-and-dimes customers after they’ve already spent a significant amount on the car.
5. What’s wrong with SUV coupes?
SUV coupes attempt to combine the practicality of an SUV with the sporty look of a coupe, but they often end up compromising both. The sloping roofline can reduce headroom and cargo space, making the vehicle less practical. Additionally, many find the design awkward and unattractive, as it doesn’t fully capture the essence of either an SUV or a coupe.
6. Will these trends go away anytime soon?
Trends in the automotive industry tend to stick around for a while, but consumer feedback can influence changes. If enough drivers express dissatisfaction with these features, automakers may rethink their designs and move away from these trends in future models. However, as with all trends, it may take some time before they fade completely.