{
  "id": 5971647,
  "title": "It Turns Out That Drivers Absolutely Detest Those Giant Touchscreens They Put in Cars Now",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/it-turns-out-that-drivers-absolutely-detest-those-giant-touchscreens",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-06T12:01:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Futurism",
    "slug": "futurism",
    "url": "https://futurism.com/advanced-transport/drivers-detest-giant-screens-cars"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Automakers are grappling with the challenge of convincing customers that adding large touchscreens and problematic infotainment software to vehicles is a worthwhile expense. Nearly every major car company has started incorporating increasingly large screens into their dashboards, sometimes taking up space beyond the driver's seat and extending to the passenger area. However, consumer research indicates that few customers actually desire these features. A survey conducted by JD Power with 68,000 owners of 2026 model-year vehicles found that over a third never even attempted to use passenger screens, while only six percent used them consistently. Moreover, larger screens proved more susceptible to infotainment system issues. The survey revealed that consumers value technologies that are easily ignored, such as smart ignition or HVAC controls, over the intrusive passenger console touchscreens, which have been associated with severe driving safety concerns. JD Power director of customer success Doron Hikry noted that the most valued technologies often go unnoticed because they function seamlessly, while additional screens and advanced automation do not necessarily enhance the driving experience. Owners also expressed dissatisfaction with Level 2 Plus driver assistance systems, which enable hands-free driving on select roads, such as Tesla's Full Self-Driving feature. In contrast, they preferred Level 2 systems for their design and user experience. JD Power's findings suggest that consumers may currently favor systems that actively assist them rather than those that introduce more automation. The trend of consumer frustration with complex touchscreen interfaces is not new, and some automakers have taken notice, opting for more intuitive and less distracting physical controls in their car interiors.",
  "summary": "Owners are fed up of distracting tech. The post It Turns Out That Drivers Absolutely Detest Those Giant Touchscreens They Put in Cars Now appeared first on Futurism .",
  "key_points": [
    "Nearly every major automaker adds large touchscreens to dashboards.",
    "Only 6% of 2026 model-year vehicle owners consistently use passenger screens.",
    "Consumers prefer easily ignored technologies over intrusive passenger consoles."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}