Gearheads Speak: The Car Design Trends That Drive Us Crazy

As a car enthusiast, I used to spend hours poring over interior photos in magazines. The 2001 BMW 7 Series' iDrive system blew my mind, even if the exterior made me cringe. Over time. BMW refined iDrive into something intuitive, but that doesn't mean the brand is immune to bad ideas.

Gesture control? Why wave my hands when the volume knob is right on the steering wheel? And don't get me started on piano black trim, it's a fingerprint magnet that reflects sunlight straight into your eyes.

Jalopnik recently asked readers to vent about their biggest design pet peeves, and the responses were fierce. Topping the list: the disappearance of physical buttons. Automakers claim it's "minimalism," but the real reason is cost. Touchscreens are cheap to produce, while well-engineered buttons with the perfect resistance cost real money.

Now we're stuck fumbling with screens just to adjust the temperature, taking our eyes off the road in the process. Another major gripe: fancy shifters that snap back into place instead of offering a simple, satisfying push into Drive or Reverse.

Then there's the placement of expensive components. Hyundai's Kona looks sharp with its low-set LED lights, but those headlights are dangerously exposed. A minor fender bender can cost up to $1,900 to fix, including labor to remove the bumper. And let's talk about wheels: automakers keep slapping on bigger rims with thinner rubber, ruining ride quality for looks.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia rides beautifully on 18-inch wheels, but the 19-inch option turns it into a harsh commuter. Finally, fake vents and hood scoops, like the FK8 Civic Type R's useless aerodynamic add-ons, are pure theater. A deployable spoiler on a non-hypercar? That's a guilty pleasure, but we get the annoyance.

Electric cars trying too hard to look alien, like the Ferrari Luce, just feel desperate. Keep it simple, designers. We just want cars that work.