WHY Hasn't ANY Other Luxury Automaker Really Embraced Having A HUGE Touchscreen In The Center Stack A La Tesla's Model S?

Love or hate the Tesla Model S, one thing is certain: Every one seems to LOVE the vehicle's interior that features the truly MASSIVE center stack screen that mimics a mobile device.

When we've discussed with people what they love about the Model S, one of the first things mentioned isn't it's sleek design or "green" abilities. It's the friggin' screen! People guffaw at its magnificent size and how it's so easy to use.

Personally, I despise touchscreens in cars but, overall, consumers seem to be transfixed and in love with them. Naturally, this got us thinking:

So WHY haven't ANY other automakers truly embraced the large touchscreen embedded in the center stack?

While we've seen the likes of Lexus and Mercedes-Benz start offering HUGE, widescreen displays atop the dash, and Volvo is trying out a new infotainment system in the XC90, no one has really executed it like Tesla. What gives, Spies?

TomM - 6/19/2015 6:47:51 AM

+3 Boost

WE are talking about a very expensive car here - which means the buyers are either higher educated OR older OR both. The higher educated might favor a single large screen - but they tend to confuse others. I think most people still would prefer an on/off switch and a volume control for their radio at least = plus separate Climate controls. That large screen would be a deal BREAKER for me.

Once problem is - where the large screen would be ideal for watching movies on a long trip - it is in a place where that is not legal - and it is also oriented the wrong way for the format.

MDarringer - 6/19/2015 8:51:14 AM

+2 Boost

The Tesla screen makes driving unsafe. Hey let's watch TV instead of having our eyes on the road! About the only thing a screen is good for is nav and back up camera. Aside from that conventional controls are simpler, quicker to use, and do not require staring at a screen instead of having one's eyes on the road.

leej - 6/19/2015 9:58:25 AM

+2 Boost

...I give up...why?

Yonder7 - 6/19/2015 11:11:01 AM

+1 Boost

TomM touch some interesting points: Very expensive so only a few are on the streets, Customers interested in "Green Cars" usually have a higher education and are more willing to deal with new technologies. Older people is looking for easier ways to do the things too.., But lets try that in a high volume car like an 3 series or Malibu and offer 2 panels, one conventional without the Huge screen and other with Huge screen and I bet that the most will prefer the buttons too, because if the screen or software does not work properly, EVERYTHING that is centralized on that screen will not work...the whole car will be toasted. Buttons will isolate the problem, so that is a more smarter decision IMO.

Yonder7 - 6/19/2015 11:13:09 AM

+1 Boost

Also not sure why but that pic makes me think in electronic households but in a car....it looks like the panel of modern refrigerator...

222max - 6/19/2015 11:42:01 AM

+1 Boost

I think people are, by and large, still very tactile. I know I prefer that something have texture. You can almost feel certain buttons and operate them intuitively. When the entire interface is touch screen and even the most basic functions (turning on the AC, changing volume, etc) force you to look at a screen it still seems somehow, counter intuitive.

Yonder7 - 6/19/2015 12:26:56 PM

+1 Boost

222max: Clever observation, may lead to distractions as the Mobile Phones unless they add voice command.

HughJass - 6/19/2015 2:39:04 PM

+1 Boost

Because its easier and faster just to grab a knob or push a button. Not sure how well it works when its -30F. I live near the border and the Canadian weather doesn't miraculously warm up when crosses the falls.

MrEE - 6/19/2015 8:54:36 PM

+1 Boost

Same reason others are behind in EV capability, it is on their road-map, 8" then 9" then 10" ... 17".