2010 Volkswagen GTI: Clean

Except for the climate control knob. It's on the far right and so the driver (me) can't see what's going to happen if the knob is turned to orient between 1 and 5:00. Not a big issue since once I realized I had no clue about it I stopped and leaned over to read it. (hint: it's for the "air coming at your torso" setting). But if I'd been designing it I'd have placed it on the left where it's easily seen and put the hot/cold on the right. That one's dead obvious, with or without text.

But, as the previous poster has said, I love driving it and recommend it highly as well. Great car. One aspect I haven't had in my prior cars (mainly sports cars) is the quiet ride. I do a lot of script creation in the car and having it quiet is very nice.

"Clean" yes, but for the area of the GTI you chose, it's form over function. I don't have so much of a problem with the touchscreen (you can do a lot with the steering wheel buttons and the display between the speedo and tach) as most modern car stereos have far more functionality than you can access w/o having to at least glance over towards it. At least it's near the top of the dash, and a pretty large area to lay out the controls. And not lower as in some cars where you really have to take your eyes off the road and deal with tiny dim displays and buttons. I find the iPod interface much quicker with the newer solid-state memory models (ie all the new ones except for the 'Classic') and not that dysfunctional compared to other cars.

But as all posters have said, the HVAC is easily the worst executed part of this car. Making the 3 controls round removes any ability to determine their position by feel (vs a shape to feel what direction they're pointing). For the airflow knob the tiny icons and that it's far-right makes it impossible to know where you're directing the air until you memorize the positions. And even then you have to look at the knob very closely to see where the tiny little red line is positioned. I'll take this portion of the MkV interior back in a second.

x2 mileman -

the MkV climate layout doesn't look quite as nice, but it's better in terms of functionality. not having to look is nice.

milleman:

Maybe it's time for a newer iPod, I am using the original video from '05 - that could be the issue, although i never noticed this lag anywhere else it has been docked.

33: borrow anyone's music-loaded iPhone4, touch4, nano4/5/6 etc and plug it into your Mk6. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. No, it's not as fast as the iPod itself or various home docking station remotes, but I think it's at least reasonably responsive if you're not trying to scroll through hundreds of songs as fast as your scroll wheel allows. If you pump in too many commands remotely before they have a chance to 'catch up' and synch it can get ugly, but if you just slower your expectations of response from the iPod itself, it works well. I understand the early-build 2010s were buggy, they must have fixed the worst of the problems by the time my car was built (11/09).

I'd prefer the Honda system any day. This is clean yes but very boring and austere and that's even more true after few days probably.

Wow... you guys whine too much. Three knobs is about as easy as it gets. Who cares if they're all round? You'll know what you're adjusting because the fan speed will increased or decrease. You'll feel the temperature go up or go down, or you'll feel air blow you, your feet or the windshield. Saying 'you shouldn't have to do that' is like saying you shouldn't have to push the 'mode' button on certain Honda systems enough times to cycle to the setting you want.

The iPod interface... well, can't say much there. That does suck, well it sucks compared to some other systems, not as much as before.

sheesh.

This GTI has manual climate controls the mode button on Hondas is for the auto climate control. Manual systems on Hondas have a separate button for each mode and knobs for fan and temp mounted high on the dash and easy to see. Honda has used this system for many years.

Touch screens SUCK..PERIOD. I get out of my wifes Prius with its touch screen for everything and sigh with pleasure when I get in my Stratus with its nice knobs and buttons.