Unfamiliar controls

As a long-time Mazda enthusiast, I have grown accustomed to the reassuring familiarity of Japanese car design. Over the years, Mazdas and other Japanese vehicles have offered a comforting consistency in their layouts. The indicator stalk is where I expect it, the audio controls fall naturally to hand, and starting the car is as simple as pressing a familiar button. After decades behind the wheel of similar vehicles, these things become second nature.

Through my work, however, I’ve had the opportunity to drive a range of newer vehicles from Chinese manufacturers. They are often impressive, packed with technology and innovative features, but they can also challenge long-held expectations about how a car should work. A recent experience in an LDV Mifa highlighted this perfectly. Sitting in the driver’s seat, I simply pressed the brake pedal and the vehicle sprang to life. Clever design, perhaps, but when I arrived at my destination, I wondered how to turn it off. No start-stop button was anywhere in sight. After searching the cabin, I eventually found the control on the touchscreen. For a car enthusiast, that moment felt surprisingly disconcerting. However, it is giving me some insight into the key features I will be looking for when I am next in the market for a new car.