The Lucid Air features a display that I wish all cars were equipped with.

      Adam Ismail

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      Screens in vehicles: This topic tends to spark a lot of debate, with opinions abound from both car enthusiasts and casual observers. I’ve always felt that while we can’t revert to the past—contemporary vehicles are too complex for every setting to have its own button—there remains a threshold of reasonableness that automakers have long surpassed. However, after spending a week with a Lucid Air Touring, I’ve come to appreciate a specific application of screens that makes sense and might actually appeal to me more than traditional analog controls.

      Lucid refers to theirs as the “Left Cockpit Panel,” a fitting name that highlights the importance of its placement for effectiveness. Essentially, it consolidates all the driving-related auxiliary functions that are still significant—features like windshield wiper operation, lighting, and defogging, as well as opening and closing the charge door and frunk, given that this is an EV. The layout that Lucid has chosen, as shown in my photo below, is refreshingly simple.

      We all recognize the meanings of these icons and their functions with a press, and there’s no need to navigate through multiple pages of menus. Everything is readily accessible. While the icons may eventually become etched into the display with years of use, it’s not an issue since it remains static.

      The Left Cockpit Panel in a Lucid Air Touring. Each element is a button linked to a clear icon, making it easy to use. Adam Ismail

      Since the Air employs its right stalk as a "gear" selector, it can't place controls for both wipers and lighting on either side. In such situations, many automakers often hide some controls in a button panel or dial to the left of the steering wheel, situated below the centerline of the dashboard. My Corolla, for instance, has a few features located there, like the auto high-beam toggle and a function to heat the area under the wipers. Designers tend to treat this area as a catch-all for various features, which can often seem random.

      Additionally, it’s positioned lower—out of direct line of sight. In my vehicle, I need to turn my head to see the entire row of buttons. This setup isn’t particularly useful. While screens lack tactile feedback, with Lucid’s Left Cockpit Panel, I can clearly see all these controls from my seating position. Given that these features are typically adjusted only a few times during a trip, the need to momentarily look away isn’t a significant concern.

      Stay tuned for my complete review of this Lucid Air. Spoiler alert: It was excellent. Adam Ismail

      Now, would this panel be improved if every toggle were a physical button instead of on a screen? Possibly, but considering how infrequently you need to use it, I doubt it would greatly impact its effectiveness. Furthermore, I can’t recall the last new car I drove that utilized the space directly to the left of the instrument cluster for physical buttons.

      Some manufacturers, besides Lucid, have explored the idea of smaller displays dedicated to specific functions. For example, Kia has begun integrating more detailed climate control buttons in a compact panel positioned to the right of the instrument cluster, ahead of the main infotainment screen.

      Kia’s climate panel, featured in the new K4, is placed between the instrument cluster and the infotainment screen. It has a sleek design, but something about its layout and iconography complicates quick comprehension while driving. Adam Ismail

      I appreciate the aesthetics, but it’s not an ideal solution. Since that panel includes both software buttons and information that must be read, it becomes challenging to interact with swiftly. Moreover, from the driver's viewpoint, it can be partially hidden by the steering wheel and seems quite distant for passengers. Passengers tend to enjoy adjusting climate controls.

      In contrast, Lucid’s Left Cockpit Panel succeeds both in idea and execution. Generally, this space in most cars remains underutilized, but the Air assigns it a function with features pertinent to the driver that aren’t likely to be fiddled with frequently. It’s a screen I genuinely like in a modern vehicle, which is a rarity. Typically, I either tolerate them or detest them.

      Do you have a screen in your car that you genuinely like rather than simply endure? Share your thoughts at [email protected]