Car move driving Aussies to the brink

Today’s high tech cars are supposed to make driving much easier and much more stress free. So why are they pushing Aussie motorists to the brink?

COMMENT: Modern cars are surprisingly annoying.

There was a time when cars were designed for convenience, but lately it feels like automakers are competing to see who can frustrate drivers the most.

Take for instance the Lexus LBX.

I’ve been driving this vehicle for the past week and the interior door handles are absurdly small.

They’re so dainty you need a precise one or two finger grip to open the door.

Could be a good prison door? Picture: Supplied

Every one of my passengers has struggled to open the door.

It’s one of those design choices that make you wonder if automakers even tested it themselves.

Automakers across the board are rolling out annoying features.

Several cars, like Tesla, have flush exterior handles, sure they look futuristic but I just want my door handles back.

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Like a pokie – at least it doesn’t swallow your hard earned. Photo: Supplied

Hyundai and Kia ditched side mirrors entirely in their Ioniq 5 and EV9, replacing them with digital cameras.

The reason – to make the vehicle more aerodynamic but it feels unnatural and intrusive.

Let’s not forget the endless beeping.

It’s like automakers decided we need constant auditory feedback – enough beeps, dings and chimes to make a techno remix.

POKER MACHINE MADNESS

The amount of different beeps and vibrations, it’s like a pokie machine hitting the jackpot.

Take for instance the BYD Sealion 6, there’s a beep for every move … reversing? Beep. Lane drift? Beep. Driver distraction? Beep. Looking tired? Beep.

No, I’m not tired, I just obviously look like crap. Thanks.

Yes, some alerts are for safety and they’re great.

Yes, you can turn some of these alerts off. But some vehicles you cannot.

But the constant noise turns a simple drive into a game of “guess what’s beeping now”?

I spend too much time trying to figure out what the beep is about instead of keeping my eyes on the road.

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New cars are increasingly filled with audible alerts for safety and assistance. Photo: Thomas Wielecki

Then there are the keys. Have you noticed how they’re trying to be their own fashion statement now?

Take the Deepal key, it looks like a space rock. Sure it’s futuristic but there’s no spot to connect your house keys, and it’s bulky.

This isn’t the only annoyance, here’s a new trend that I can’t comprehend: paid subscription for features.

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2025 Deepal S07. Picture: David McCowen

From January 2, 2025, Ford Australia’s connected built-in navigation service included in a majority of models sold by the brand since mid-2020 will switch to a subscription model.

IS THIS EVEN LEGAL?

BMW is another automaker who has adopted subscriptions; its M Adaptive suspension is available as a subscription on some models, despite the hardware being present as standard.

How is this even legal?

Several car brands now offer paid subscriptions for features. Picture: Supplied

Don’t get me started on the disappearance of spare tires.

A majority of vehicles have swapped them out for repair kits, claiming it’s for weight reduction.

Sure, that’s great until you’re stranded on the side of the road with a shredded tire. Take it from someone who has experienced this.

Automakers say these changes are about innovation and safety but it often feels more like cost-cutting and over-engineering, trying to beat competitors.

The problem is, drivers are left dealing with overly complicated features, I, we, are becoming annoyed by some of these features.

Here’s a thought: bring back the basics.

Give us options – door handles we can actually use, mirrors we don’t have to overthink, and the beeps, can they at least be pleasant?

Originally published as Car move driving Aussies to the brink