Opinion: The pros and cons of vehicle touchscreens

The touchscreen control panel of an electric vehicle (EV) in Bratislava, Slovakia. A cabin with these design elements can look sleek and modern. But there are drawbacks that aren’t always considered. — Bloomberg

There’s no denying the impact that smartphones and tablets have had on modern vehicles. Look into just about any new car and you’ll find a touchscreen and maybe even a bank of capacitive touch buttons that seek to approximate the function of mechanical buttons.

The appeal is obvious: A cabin with these design elements can look sleek and modern. But there are drawbacks that aren’t always considered.