🚗 Automotive Grievances: A 2026 Rant

Posted by: decryption's blog
Date: September 13, 2026

I am currently in the market for a new vehicle, and to be honest, I am completely underwhelmed. This is a comprehensive vent session regarding the design choices in modern automobiles that absolutely infuriate me.

Every electric vehicle (EV) that fits my budget and feature requirements seems to be burdened by one or more of the following "innovations" failures:

• Overbearing panoramic glass ceilings
• The eradication of physical buttons for basic functions
• Replacing keyfobs with NFC cards and smartphones
• Over-engineered, unintuitive door handles
• ADAS systems that "bing and bong" incessantly
• A lack of genuine one-pedal driving in many EVs

Below, I will dissect each of these irritations in excruciating detail.

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☀️ The Panoramic Glass Roof Nightmare

Glass roofs have become a staple in the EV market, appearing even in entry-level trims. I despise them.

As a taller individual, my head sits only a few centimeters away from a sheet of glass that radiates intense heat directly onto my middle-aged, thinning scalp. During the summer, the interior surface becomes so scorching that it is actually painful to touch.

From a thermodynamic perspective, the heat transfer is a disaster: $Q = \text{Radiant Heat} \rightarrow \text{Scalp/Cabin}$

This isn't just a matter of comfort; the radiant heat increases the cabin temperature so significantly that the air conditioning must work overtime to compensate, wasting energy. While some manufacturers provide built-in blinds or there are third-party shades, these are merely solutions band-aids. The real solution is simple: just put a standard roof on the car.

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🔘 The War on Physical Buttons

To be clear: I am fine with a large central screen for navigation, CarPlay, and deep-menu settings. I also don't feel the need for a secondary driver's display behind the wheel.

However, requiring a touchscreen for basic, frequent tasks while driving is a recipe for disaster. Take my Volvo EX30 as an example:

1. Cruise Control: Adjusting the following distance requires screen interaction.
2. Lighting: While "Auto" is great, I still need manual control over headlights.
3. Storage: I have to tap a screen just to open the glovebox.

While voice commands exist, they are often unreliable. Some EVs have even moved gear selection to the screen! Furthermore, the few buttons that remain are often flat and tactile-less, leading to frequent "mishits."

Industry & Regulatory Pushback

The world is starting to realize this is a mistake.

"We will never, ever make this mistake any more. It's not a phone: it's a car." — Volkswagen Designer (2025)

"We also tried out putting touchscreen-based controls, and people didn’t prefer that... people get stressed, annoyed and steamed when they want to control something in a pinch but are unable to do so." — Hyundai Executive (2024)

Despite these warnings, many Chinese imports arriving in Australia in 2026 are still devoid of buttons.

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🔑 The Death of the Keyfob

While some brands still offer traditional fobs (or Tesla offers them as an add-on), brands like Leapmotor and new Volvo models have ditched them entirely in favor of smartphones and NFC cards.

The result? I've spent an embarrassing amount of time standing in the rain or on a busy roadside, unable to unlock my door because of a software glitch.

// Typical User Experience on r/EX30
{
  "issue": "Key/Card Detection Failure",
  "status": "Unresolved",
  "user_sentiment": "Frustrated",
  "ota_update_claim": "Improved connectivity",
  "actual_result": "Still doesn't work"
}

The Logic of Failure

Tesla had similar issues with phone keys, which is why they eventually brought back the optional fob. Leapmotor admitted in April 2026 that they would offer conventional keys for non-Chinese markets. Why are we reinventing a technology that was perfected decades ago? Give me a "dumb" fob with a lock/unlock button—or even a slot to insert it!

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🚪 Absurd Door Handles

Modern EV door handles have become an exercise in vanity over utility.

These designs are so impractical and dangerous during emergencies that the Chinese government is stepping in. As of January 1, 2027, they are mandating a recessed space (at least $6\text{cm} \times 2\text{cm} \times 2.5\text{cm}$) on all passenger doors to ensure access.

Why they suck:

• Confusion: I spent forever explaining to passengers how to exit my old Tesla.
• Accessibility: They are significantly harder to use for people with limited dexterity or hand issues.

We solved the "door handle problem" 60 years ago. Why are we messing with it now?

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🔔 Poorly Calibrated ADAS

Finally, there are the Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS). These are meant to help, but often just create a symphony of "bings and bongs."

• Forward Collision Warning: Often too sensitive or too late.
• Lane Departure: Constant steering wheel tugs that feel like the car is fighting you.