Have Car Touchscreens gotten too big?
By Sandra Zablotna - Thursday, 11 July 2024
Manufacturers are constantly pushing the boundaries with larger car touchscreens to attract buyers. However, the trend towards increasingly bigger screens can detract from the primary task of driving.
Large screens, like the 14.6-inch display in the GWM Tank 500, can dominate the dashboard and become distracting, especially in low-light conditions but the phenomenon is not limited to one model; the forthcoming Toyota Tundra and Mercedes-Benz's Hyperscreen also exemplify this trend with their expansive displays. These oversized screens often come with unnecessary dead space and brightness issues, which can make them more of a visual distraction than a functional enhancement.
Ultimately, while larger screens might seem impressive, there's a tipping point where they become more of a hindrance than a help. The sweet spot appears to be around 12.3 inches, as seen in many Kia, Hyundai, Nissan, and Toyota models, where the screen size is sufficient for functionality without overtly distracting the driver. Thus, manufacturers must balance the allure of big screens with the practical need for driver focus and safety.
So have car touchscreens gotten too big?
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