Consumer Reports Goes On Rampage Over Gearshift Design

They focused on ergonomics, which includes the possibility of using the gearshift selector in an intuitive manner, but also on the safety features implemented with those units to determine whether they are potentially dangerous.

The analysis made by Consumer Reports has gone as far as reducing the score of some of the models its editors have tested, and they were kind enough to make a list of all the vehicles that had poorly designed gearshift selectors.

The biggest problem with electronically-controlled gear selectors seems to be the inability of clearly showing the driver what gear is currently selected. Linked to this is the possibility of opening the driver’s door when the car risks rolling away, and some cars could allow users to do this without an explicit notification.

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cidflekken - 3/1/2017 4:27:34 PM

+3 Boost

I have to admit, I am one of the first ones to say, "it's technology and advancement, let's embrace it". And I did, with all of the new ways to start a car, shift it, and read an instrument cluster.

But after spending almost 2 years now with BMW's current gear shift lever, I would love to go back to a more traditional shifter with real detents. I can't tell you how many times I've caught myself in the wrong gear at the (potentially) wrong times. I've been lucky so far.

MDarringer - 3/1/2017 7:28:02 PM

0 Boost

As well they should. A stalk for an automatic is automatistic to drivers. The same cannot be said of all the goofy and idiotic "improvements".

qwertyfla - 3/1/2017 7:43:47 PM

-1 Boost

Drive a stick shift -problem solved!

MDarringer - 3/1/2017 10:09:30 PM

-1 Boost

Except that paddles are much faster.

TomM - 3/2/2017 7:40:05 AM

+4 Boost

They don't offer a Manual Transmission in most of the cars involved in this problem. However - a stalk for a shifter is only automatic for drivers because virtually all of us were taught this way - but I had a push button transmission in a Chrysler that - while as a mechanic was a nightmare - was just as good. And I learned to drive on a 3 speed on the column. THere are lots of possibilities - it comes down to whether they are easy enough to understand that you should NOT need a Lesson from the seller in how to use it. For instance - I see nothing wrong with a round know that has Park one side - then detents for neutral - Drive etc - as the knob is turned.

Gambit - 3/2/2017 10:00:07 AM

+3 Boost

"Drive a stick shift -problem solved!"

if only that were an option

mre30 - 3/2/2017 8:19:33 PM

+1 Boost

This is a long overdue list - some of these transmission controls are just terrible. I guess they wanted to free up real estate on the center console, but the BMW, FCA and Audi designs are pretty confusing.

Tiberius1701A - 3/3/2017 9:09:53 AM

+2 Boost

Simple lever..button on side of knob, maybe secondary button for overdrive. Anything else is just engineers wasting time.