[babypuncher]

I don't think I've ever used software provided by an automaker that I would classify as "good". Just varying degrees from "functional, but barebones and clunky" down to "so buggy and useless it's a legitimate safety hazard".

As a result, I'm firmly on team "make every infotainment system a dumb terminal for your phone" and refuse to buy any car that doesn't support both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

[xp84]

I find myself torn on this:

* Traditional Automakers: Mostly as you describe, though honestly I am fond of the UI in my VW. Most others score B-D in responsiveness and anywhere from B-F in my "is this UI closer to ideal, or to a caricature of a baffling UI that no one will ever like to use?" scale.

* Apple: "No one needs physical controls for anything, and people HATE seeing any details, so let's try to get as minimal as possible because that's just elegant. Maybe just a dashboard with a your speed, as a single number, unlabeled because labels are ugly, and three dots (touch target 0.6cm) that you have to touch to access a menu to access all other features."

* Recent Automakers: "People love screens. Let's delete lots of switches to save a few dozen dollars, and stick functionality in deeply-nested menus that require you to take your eyes off the road."

I really want the $20 worth of physical buttons, knobs, stalks and switches of a traditional car, and the extensibility of the CarPlay world.

[hnbear]

A colleague with a recent Land Rover Discovery Sport has screens on the buttons/dials. Little mini screens for things like an AC knob.

It’s a Land Rover, so obviously those screen crash/bug out then he gets no HVAC.

He hates that car. It’s beautiful, luxurious and a pleasure to drive. But it’s been in the shop >50% of his lease.

[nicbou]

I can't find that comic where the head unit is just a rectangle with a 3.5mm jack. That's all we need, really.

My old car has a cheap phone clip screwed into the dashboard, and the phone connects to the speakers for music. I can't imagine anything improving upon that.

[jeromegv]

CarPlay is definitely a huge improvement on that.

[SkyPuncher]

I feel like a fanboy, but I absolutely love my Hyundai Palisade. It's legitimately changed driving for me. Some quirks and annoyances, but absolutely nothing as bad as listed here.

* Software is simple, consistent, and functional. Some goofy choices, but they're mostly visual preference than meaningful usage degradation.

* Hardware buttons support all of the core UX.

* Lane centering and adaptive cruise control as rock solid. I've legitimately had the car follow lane lines that I was struggling to see (rainy with reflections).

[dreamcompiler]

Tesla is the only one I'd classify as good enough for daily use without needing my phone. Possibly because they started as a tech company so they understand software.

[maxerickson]

Most automobile engines made in the last 30 years are running software that works at least okay.