One of the subtle pleasures of driving an economy car is their lack of complexity. Look at the dash on our SX4. There's virtually nothing on it that needs explanation. Three dials for the climate control system, a few basic knobs and buttons for the radio and a simplified navigation system that folds out of the way when it's not needed.
It got me thinking, if OEMs offered a simplified dash setup as an option, how many people would order it? Would the average buyer forego all the latest gadgets in favor of fewer functions that are useful more often?
My guess is "no", that's why all those gadgets are there in the first place. Manufacturers would probably love to put dashboards like this in their $50,000 sedans, but customers would surely cry foul. They want stuff for all that money even if they don't use any of it. Might be nice to have the option though.
Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line @ 14,322 miles
TheChameleon says:
04:01 PM, 09/30/09
That's part of the reason why I love the interior of my Jetta, it's simple but doesn't look or feel cheap!
altimadude00 says:
04:03 PM, 09/30/09
I like the disappearing nav screen in the current CTS and previous gen G35. I don't need all that technology staring me in the face. When I need it, I'll use it. Otherwise, it can stay put away.
As an added bonus, dials for the HVAC system provide tactile feedback that is more convenient to use rather than looking at a diagram or a read out on a screen.
hondacura4 says:
04:08 PM, 09/30/09
Gotta love simplicity.
cah11705 says:
04:26 PM, 09/30/09
Thats one thing i love about the 1st gen g35, it was so simple yet very nice. i do wish it had more nobs than buttons, but i'll live.
stephen987 says:
06:47 PM, 09/30/09
It reminds me of a Sonata, or of a gen-six Accord--it's very clean and simple, it should be easy to put together, and if the materials are of reasonable quality there's not much to rattle.
hybris says:
07:02 PM, 09/30/09
Long live the three HVAC knobs
petrolhead85 says:
09:13 PM, 09/30/09
Simple and intuitive. I like. After driving the car for a very short time, you probably don't even have to take your eyes off the road to adjust the radio or HVAC.
dougtheeng says:
05:27 AM, 10/ 1/09
"Long live the three HVAC knobs"
here here!
yellowmiata says:
12:48 AM, 10/ 2/09
I agree with altimadude00, the G35 2-door has a horribly complex pile of buttons. I was driving a friend's G35 last night and wanted to change the temperature. Glancing over resulted in an overload of buttons. This Suzuki has great dash that is understandable eat a glance. Good review IL!