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Rant: As Touch Screens Took Over, Interior Quality Suffered

May 20, 2025 By Naseem Muaddi

The Hog Ring - As Touchscreens Took Over, Interior Quality Suffered

Over the past few years, something strange has been happening inside our cars. The technology is getting better while the upholstery and trim are getting worse.

That’s the argument made by Sergiu Tudose in an entertaining rant for AutoEvolution. According to Tudose, touch screens have come at a real cost: the slow, quiet death of interior quality, especially in premium cars.

And honestly? He’s not wrong.

Here’s a taste of what he wrote:

“As the whole industry raced to develop and build electric drivetrains, shiny infotainment systems, and self-driving tech, the focus shifted away from craftsmanship and durability. … Feel your way around the center consoles, door panels and lower trim – surfaces that used to feel substantial now feel hollow and/or flimsy. … Not everyone will notice the switch from solid plastics to cheaper alternatives, but once you do, the magic is gone. And once it’s gone, it’s hard to get back.”

Tudose doesn’t just complain—he breaks down why this is happening: chip shortages, EV development, weight restrictions, Tesla’s influence, and cost-cutting in the name of tech innovation.

The result? Cars that look futuristic but feel like they came off a shelf at Best Buy.

We still love a good touch screen, but not at the expense of craftsmanship. There’s something about a well-built interior—quality leather, stitching, solid trim—that makes a car feel like it was made to last. More and more, that feeling is disappearing.

Whether you agree or think this is just nostalgia talking, it’s a conversation worth having—and Tudose kicks it off with a bang. Read it here: “Cool Screens, Hollow Feel: How the Tech Boom Gutted Interior Quality”

Related Stories:

  • Aston Martin is Sick of Giant Touch Screens
  • BMW Designer says Giant Screens are Out
  • Bentley’s Lead Designer Says Touch Screens Aren’t Luxury

Filed Under: Archive, Rants & Raves Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, screen, Touch-Screen Dashboard

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