Carmakers are Reinventing the Gear Shifter, Drivers Aren't Onboard
In recent years, carmakers have embraced the technological freedoms that come with electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced electronic systems. This shift has allowed for the removal of traditional mechanical linkages in cars, freeing up interior space for more modern features and, of course, new ways to shift gears.
What seemed like a bold leap into the future, however, is increasingly raising the question: Are these high-tech shifters more of a distraction than a breakthrough? For many drivers, the answer seems to be a resounding 'yes.'
Gone are the days of the bulky gear shifters that took up space on the center console or steering column. As car manufacturers explore electronic control systems, gear selectors are evolving into smaller, sleeker, and often more complex designs. For example, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 SUV hides its shifter behind the steering wheel, an innovation that caught the attention of Sean O'Malley, a senior test coordinator at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
'We couldn't find the gear shifter,' O'Malley recalls of a test drive, noting to The Wall Street Journal how difficult it was for him and his colleagues to locate the device in a car that otherwise seemed straightforward. "It was definitely not obvious where it was."
While many automakers, such as Hyundai and Tesla, have redefined how we interact with gear shifters, their designs can feel unfamiliar, even disorienting, to anyone not used to them. And the frustration doesn't stop with automotive testers. Car shoppers, renters, and valets alike have found themselves stumped by these unconventional gear selectors, which often require an entirely new set of instructions to operate.
Some of the more out-there designs include joystick-like gear selectors, dials, and even touch-screen-based gearshifting. These innovations are often part of an effort to stand out in a competitive market by offering unique, futuristic interiors.
Take, for example, the Crystal Sphere shifter found in Genesis's GV60 electric SUV. Described as "automotive art" by the brand, this illuminated orb rotates when the car is powered on, revealing a twist-knob shifter. While it may have wowed a few design enthusiasts, many drivers are left scratching their heads. One driver even reported the orb essentially eating a Post-it note they stuck near it,
'When I turned off the car, it grabbed the paper and pulled it inside,' the driver wrote in an online forum. 'Now, when I turn on or off the car, I can hear the paper. Can't really see it anymore.'
Tesla, too, has taken a leap into touch-screen territory with models like the Model S Plaid, where shifting is done on the vehicle's touchscreen. For Jeff Tropeano, a Colorado resident who owns a Model S, the system took some getting used to. "Once you know where something is in your car, it's not that stupid anymore," Tropeano said. But his wife, who doesn't drive the car often, still struggles with the system every time she gets behind the wheel.
The push for novel designs is not confined to electric vehicles. The Chrysler Pacifica minivan, for instance, features a dial shifter placed uncomfortably close to the radio's volume knob. One driver expressed concern that the dial was a recipe for mistakes, imagining a situation where someone might accidentally turn the dial while trying to adjust the volume, creating an unintended gear shift. Though Chrysler didn't comment on this issue, it's clear that the user experience is suffering when controls are unintuitive.
While these new systems may be more visually striking, they are not without their risks. In fact, some of the new gear shifters have been called out for safety issues. A few years ago, Chrysler's dial shifter system was linked to numerous rollaway accidents and a fatality, prompting federal regulators to declare it 'not intuitive.' Similarly, a recent Consumer Reports test highlighted a potential safety hazard in the Rivian R1S electric SUV, where the vehicle accidentally shifted into reverse while the driver attempted to adjust the adaptive cruise control.
Even seemingly small design choices can present significant risks if they confuse the driver. The last thing automakers want is for drivers to get flustered and make dangerous mistakes when shifting gears. Yet, this appears to be the reality for many, as the lack of standardization across vehicles only adds to the confusion.
In many cases, the rise of unconventional shifters has been met with frustration and confusion. Linda Hoff, a 65-year-old Michigan resident who rents cars frequently, found herself lost when attempting to reverse a Nissan Rogue equipped with a joystick-like gear selector. "I didn't even know how to drive this damn car," Hoff said, admitting that it took a tutorial from the rental agency before she figured it out. Hoff's experience isn't unique. Many drivers who aren't accustomed to newer systems feel the same disconnection.
Even those who drive newer vehicles regularly find themselves irritated by the lack of consistency. Will Clayton, a 33-year-old finance worker from Greenville, South Carolina, often rents cars for business trips. When he encountered the Chrysler Pacifica's dial shifter, he immediately wondered if anyone had tested the design before it was rolled out. 'I can't think of any consumer push for a radical change in gear-shifters,' Clayton commented, echoing the sentiments of many frustrated drivers. "Whose idea was this?"
The trend toward quirky gear selectors is not likely to disappear anytime soon. With the rise of EVs and an increasing reliance on electronic interfaces, automakers have the freedom to get creative with their designs. Some of these changes may eventually find their way into the mainstream, particularly as drivers become more accustomed to the new systems. However, it's clear that the shift to more exotic gear selectors isn't going to be easy for everyone to embrace.
As automakers continue to push the boundaries of design, one thing is certain: not every innovation will land with the driving public. As the market floods with new and bizarre gearshifting solutions, many drivers will undoubtedly continue asking, 'Whose idea was this?'
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