Why A ‘Vocal Minority’ Is Pushing Back On New Car Tech

A growing number of drivers are pushing back against increasingly tech-heavy vehicles, saying they prefer the simplicity of analog controls over touchscreens and software-driven features.

The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted what it described as a “vocal minority” of consumers seeking out older vehicles or newer models with fewer digital features, arguing that modern automotive technology has become more frustrating than helpful.

Brett Doyle, a computer scientist from St. Louis, told the Journal that he and his sons continue repairing their four vehicles from the 2010s rather than buying newer models packed with digital features.

“If I get hot in my car and want some air conditioning, I just want to turn a knob and have cold air come out,” Doyle said. “There’s this fatigue of having to learn one more new thing.”

Others like Doyle have created online communities dedicated to finding older, more analog vehicles.  

Sports writer Brandon Marcus said the movement is about reclaiming control behind the wheel, not simply reliving the past. 

“The ‘no-tech car’ trend doesn’t just whisper nostalgia. It shouts intention. People want control back in their hands, not buried in menus or hidden behind software updates,” Marcus said. “This movement isn’t about rejecting progress. It’s about reclaiming the driving experience and deciding what actually matters behind the wheel.” 

Supporters have pointed out that basic functions like adjusting the temperature or changing the radio station have become unnecessarily complicated as automakers increasingly rely on touchscreen interfaces, which they say can also be more distracting.

Even some industry leaders have questioned how new technology is being introduced.

Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa recently suggested the industry’s approach may be backward because its most technology-packed vehicles are often marketed to older buyers, while younger customers tend to purchase entry-level models. 

“Sometimes, actually, your entry cars should start adopting these technologies because that’s where the younger customers are trying to go,” Espinosa said.

For some consumers, concerns extend beyond convenience to privacy and security.

Gordon Chang, author of “Plan Red: China’s Project to Destroy America,” told NewsNation that vehicles with Chinese autonomous driving technology could be used by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to present national security risks via “rolling spy machines.”

“Conceivably, they could use these as a weapon of mass destruction — crash into oncoming traffic, drive over a cliff, be disabled. Who knows what the Chinese will be able to do with these?” Chang said.

Some automakers are already betting there is a demand for simpler vehicles.

Startup automaker Slate markets what it calls “the most affordable truck in America.” Its base model, the “Blank Slate,” features hand-crank windows, physical climate-control knobs, and a smartphone mount instead of an extensive built-in infotainment system, leaving additional customization up to buyers. 

Other affordable models have also retained more traditional controls. Edmunds notes that the 2026 Hyundai Venue keeps its technology relatively simple despite offering digital features, while the 2026 Mazda CX-50 relies on physical knobs for many functions rather than a touchscreen-heavy interface.