Does Rotary Shifter suck?

[WannabeOffroader]

Personally, I don't like it. Just another electronic component with potential to fail. And the fact that it can just spin infinitely in either direction is irritating, no indication of what gear you're in without having to look at either the dash or the dial. I'd rather have a stick.

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[gp1200x]

Actually the whole spinning is not an issue once you know where park and drive are. When I first got the truck I think I accidentally turned it to Park while driving thinking I was in a different car. The truck did not lock up but rather lost power and I coasted off road...going slow at the time! Truck was smart enough not to go into park until the truck was stopped so I didn't destroy the tranny. I think I turned it to Park but was never sure since I had done it without thinking and was doing other things at the same time but when it was stopped and l looked down it was in park so I think I had manually put in there. That's the problem when you have multiple cars with all these new buttons and rotary switches in them! You have to remember and keep track of what car you are in and break your habits.

 

[Sticks]

Personally, I don't like it. Just another electronic component with potential to fail. And the fact that it can just spin infinitely in either direction is irritating, no indication of what gear you're in without having to look at either the dash or the dial. I'd rather have a stick.

Your preferences are valid. However,

It would still be electronic if it was a more phallic shape. A manual transmission would be cool though.

I think the infinite spinning is great. Spin that sucker like Wheel Of Fortune to get into P or D. Have fun with it!

 

[slashsnake]

The only thing that I don't like has less to do about whether it's a circle or not..

Ford has all these engineers designing amazing storage ideas and maximizing interior space.

Then instead of putting in a column shifter they shove that right in the perfect real estate for more storage.

 

[rivermaverick]

I got used to the Maverick shifter but I like the conventional shifter in my Mazda, much more convenient. I use the 'Sport Shift' for slowing all the time - I always put automatics in neutral when stopped, much easier to just bump the lever on the Mazda than fiddle with the rotary on the Mav.
I wish the Mazda had a manual parking brake and automatic stop/start. My previous Mazda was a manual trans and easy to manually stop/start.

 

[hellokitty1984]

Most everyone would prefer a traditional shifter over the rotary one. At best, most people have gotten *used* to the rotary shifter. Ford's own research with the Ranger indicated that truck buyers prefer a traditional shifter.

But will Ford amend the design? Of course not.

Just like European automakers are moving back towards knobs, because of customer preferences. So what does Ford do? Move towards screens.

I do not like the rotary knob, but I do like the space afforded. I would trade the space for a shifter that I don’t have to look down to go into other gears and confirm where I am when I could simply memorize by sound or clicks. I don’t like large infotainment screens that have all the controls either. I’m a barebones guy when it comes to primary controls.

 

[hellokitty1984]

I got used to the Maverick shifter but I like the conventional shifter in my Mazda, much more convenient. I use the 'Sport Shift' for slowing all the time - I always put automatics in neutral when stopped, much easier to just bump the lever on the Mazda than fiddle with the rotary on the Mav.
I wish the Mazda had a manual parking brake and automatic stop/start. My previous Mazda was a manual trans and easy to manually stop/start.

I was going to quote how I love my Mazda shifter, but didn’t know if anyone else knew that feeling. My CX-5 feels great with the shifter! I can tell what position and gear it is in just by sound or shift position. I’ve on numerous occasions went from drive to neutral or park instead of reverse.

 

[Packer Bill]

I do not like manual transmission nor the feel of the shifting. I prefer the smooth transition between gears in my Maverick. (I know, I am an odd duck here).

 

[onemuir]

Rotary shifter sucks

I'm not a fan of the rotary shifter, are you?

Wow! Reading the other comments I’m surprised. I hate the damn thing! I reach for the column shifter every time. Then the dial will just keep spinning in either direction. There’s no “stop” when you get to drive or to park. Also hate that there’s no manual control for the transmission (slightly different topic)
It’s also in a bad spot to get bumped. The “detents” barely hold and there’s no differentiation between any selection. much prefer a column shifter with a small “up and down” shift on it! With the column shifter you never even think about it. Now I have to look down to see if it is in whatever I selected. It’s a solution that was never a problem. I would have bought a manual if one was available.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

I do not like the rotary knob, but I do like the space afforded. I would trade the space for a shifter that I don’t have to look down to go into other gears and confirm where I am...

Just glance at the P R N D L in the instrument cluster and find the dial by feel.

 

[Dryflytie]

The real benefit is that it frees up room for your right knee to move around.

Every time I drive my wife's CRV, my knee rubs up against the stick and it makes me think I am in a cage. I'm more free to move my legs in the Maverick.

 

[oneinch]

The rotary "shifter" does not suck. It's not a shifter. It's a switch. It's location sucks. It takes up real estate that could be better utilized. The shifter switch should be on the dash or incorporated into the steering wheel. Somewhere other than the center console.

 

[Mike1597]

Do like GM and move to column-mounted electronic shifters. IMO column-mounted shifters offer these advantages:

1) With the shifter on the column, you can easily reach it without taking your hands off the wheel.
2) Moving the shifter to the steering column, frees up space in the center console.
3) Removing the center console shifter creates a cleaner interior design.

 

[hellokitty1984]

Just glance at the P R N D L in the instrument cluster and find the dial by feel.

I’m mostly a manual driver, I like to have my eyes ready for anything when driving.

 

[Scott Asheville]

Psychologist refer to "neuroplasticity". After two years on MTC, I suspect a good portion of MTC members lack neuroplasticity. Or said differently, I guess I'm not the only grouchy and inflexible old codger on this site.

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-brain-plasticity-2794886

Actually I kind of like the rotary shifter. Though I'd rather it was a Mercedes style twist stalk on the steering column. Now if only the Maverick were offered as a BEV with two doors... That would really set off the neuroplasticity-deficient members.

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