Will Ford be Next?

[Surly Old Bill]

"no" credit. That's why I have two Fords, and I'm a particular individual and a tightwad.

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[Backin15]

I do prefer physical buttons and knobs, but I am loving the touchscreen in my '25. It is easy to use once you get used to it. Voice commands work well too.

 

[LSchicago]

For those of you who can't live without buttons, Porsche has you covered.

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

Just saw this and wonder if Ford will listen:

Car Makers Look to Ditch Touchscreens for a Return to Buttons

I hope they're next. Touch screens are fine for tertiary functions like programming radio stations and selecting someone to verbally text or call. They are a TERRIBLE idea for anything even remotely critical like headlights, wipers, and cruise-control. Anything that distracts the driver from the task at hand is not good.

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

OMG! Yes! Bring the basic knobs back. I won't order the new '25 or '26 because of the touch screen controls. It is dangerous to navigate the many steps just to turn on the ac or other simple functions. Connecting the phone each time to listen to music is a 5 step process that's painful. Unfortunately it is a cost thing with Ford as they are removing parts and features weekly from each model.
Maybe if enough people complain, they may listen. fingers crossed.

It is a cost thing, no doubt. But a couple of wrongful death lawsuits due to the distraction of trying to navigate the touch screen menus and the cost of buttons and switches will suddenly seem pretty doggone cheap.

Of course, I don't even like the shifter knob - bring back a shift lever with tactile feel - you shouldn't have to look at anything to know what gear you just shifted into.

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

Well, you absolutely give Ford no credit.

The Maverick has already had a styling refresh, and there's still no direct competitor. We haven't even seen a concept of a direct competitor.

I remember Ford leading the herd with the introduction of the original Taurus and Sable. Every manufacturer copied the aero look. Ford bet the company on those cars, and won.

When they reworked the car significantly for 1996, they again broke away from the herd ... and were punished. People particularly hated the innovative Integrated Control Panel (ICP), because it made it difficult to install an aftermarket stereo.

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/1996-ford-taurus-lx

And the "integrated control panel" is still despised by many. My friend has a Mazda 3. The trim level she got for her newest one is the same trim level that her previous one had, but they downgraded the audio, took away her Bose system and have a very basic, very crappy factory system with no rear speakers at all. But to upgrade is thousands of dollars, if you can find a shop that'll do it. The door speakers are like 2 3/4" which is basically a high-frequency midrange/tweeter size. The system is squawky and shrill. And she's PO'ed at Mazda.

No, things like the audio ought to be fully modular. There is NO reason that you shouldn't be able to swap out your Ford stereo for a Pioneer or Infinity unit if you choose to do so. They do that solely to push you into higher trim levels. (if you want reasonably good sound, you need the Lariat plus AWD, for an extra $6000).

 

[OR3X]

meh, I was annoyed with the touch climate controls on my '25 at first. but I've gotten used to it and no longer have any issues with them.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

I hope they're next. Touch screens are fine for tertiary functions like programming radio stations and selecting someone to verbally text or call. They are a TERRIBLE idea for anything even remotely critical like headlights, wipers, and cruise-control. Anything that distracts the driver from the task at hand is not good.

remember when, I think it was BMW, rolled out "paid subscription" to access some features, like cruise control or AC? You had to make monthly payments. It was wildly unpopular, and I'm surprised that every other mfg didn't do the same thing, having seen the $ potential.

Access was granted via WiFi or something. ALL cars are connected to WWW and servers now.

 

[HeyBales]

Add it to the steering wheel controls, that'd be even better imo. I'd even argue you can reuse some of the Audio buttons on the wheel for hvac instead.. Volume on the wheel is good. but I don't really need the next/skip track keys, we're not using CD players anymore after all.. and its easy to tap the screen for audio control IF needed. (Imo)

If not noticed yet - that next/skip track keys is what changes your tagged radio stations too - any radio. Besides the USB media music.
Haven't tested, but it would be nice if a press and hold on them would also do a scan to the next one available in the area - not just to your next bookmarked one.

 

[HeyBales]

For those of you who can't live without buttons, Porsche has you covered.

Oh yeah! Don't have to look at that at all while driving.

Just push a button and keep finger on it - see what happens - if the wrong thing push it again. Move finger and try again.

Actually - most used at the top of the side with pivot motion - not bad at all.
Radio - eh, but probably controls on steering wheel anyway.

I can't feel which button is under my finger on the Mav without looking - is that upper vent selection, or recirc, or AC? Knob is obviously easy, and I do see fan being most used once temp is set less often - so at least correct order.

 

[r0tax]

If not noticed yet - that next/skip track keys is what changes your tagged radio stations too - any radio. Besides the USB media music.
Haven't tested, but it would be nice if a press and hold on them would also do a scan to the next one available in the area - not just to your next bookmarked one.

Yeah, i did notice i could change my bookmarked stations this way. But I don't use it regularly, and i'm pretty comfortable tapping the display for this.

I just don't believe these should take up a button on the steering wheel imo.

You can choose NOT to faff with your radio if you don't have the time or ability to. Or easily turn it off completely with volume/button on the dash, which is easy and quick to access already. So if radio is a distraction, you can easily manage it this way.

But, typically I find controlling the climate is more important and a higher priority to me than having this radio function on the wheel, where space is limited.

 

[Grabber Rick]

Living in the Upper Midwest at the time and having to replace about a half dozen of them due to rust and corrosion. I certainly don't miss those floor mounted high beam switches.

I liked the floor mounted high beam low beam switch. The steering colum stem is hard to pull if a car approaches you while turning a sharp curve. I could always use my left foot anytime.

 

[r0tax]

I liked the floor mounted high beam low beam switch. The steering colum stem is hard to pull if a car approaches you while turning a sharp curve. I could always use my left foot anytime.

Left foot is for the clutch pedal.

 

[64Jazz]

I liked how the starter button was under the clutch on my Studebaker

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