In the EU there will be fines for multimedia screens

The presence of a multimedia screen in a car today has almost become a sign of the modernity of the car model, the prestige and “coolness” of its owner. However, research shows that excessive screen time reduces travel safety. Therefore, some manufacturers have taken appropriate measures and are releasing machines on the market without a multimedia display.


The well-known European organization NCAP even decided to impose fines (lower ratings) on companies that produce cars that do not have the physical ability to control certain functions. But here’s another question: are there cars today where there are no central monitors at all? It turned out there is! For example, Dacia has the Logan and Sandero models, the Jogger station wagon, and the Duster crossover. Of course, we are talking about cars in the most inexpensive trim levels.


There are other manufacturers: for example, Fiat sells its Panda in the most unassuming configuration, also without a central screen. This third-generation car has been produced since 2011, and not so long ago the “life cycle” of the car was extended until 2026. Even the most modern battery-powered vehicles can be found without a display: for example, Fiat’s E-C3. The Volkswagen up, which was only recently taken off the assembly line, was also offered in a basic version without a central screen.


Of course: someone might say that the lack of a multimedia display in a car shows its obsolescence. Maybe there is some truth here. However, since cars with physical buttons and without displays are produced, it means they are in demand. And the point here is not only the lack of the necessary chips, as was the case with VW, which sold its Fox and Nivus models in Brazil without a central monitor. By the way: it looked quite strange, especially considering that the Nivus has a digital dashboard. Some people may like to press real buttons rather than touch ones.


Some manufacturers are trying to please both “ours” and “yours” - that is, to create some kind of compromise between the touch screen and physical controls. An example is Hyundai, which recently introduced the updated Tucson. It still has two monitors, but the number of buttons has clearly increased. Moreover, the South Korean automaker said it will remain committed to physical controls in the future. The brand claims that when driving a car, hard switches are easier and easier to use. And it’s not as distracting from the road as a monitor.