I'm no great evangelist for Tesla, let me make that clear - much too big and too expensive for me. But there's no doubt in my mind that Macan is an ergonomic nightmare. So you can find every switch in the Macan by feel (and know what function it controls)? I'm impressed if you really can do that - I have to take my eyes off the road every time I need sport mode, let alone some of the more obscure functions, especially those up above (which if you're short-sighted and wearing distance glasses for driving are utterly impossible to fathom - the buttons are simultaneously slightly awkward to reach up to, while impossible to read).
I'm not sure about the giant-sized iPad in the Tesla - I'm not comfortable with the principle of controlling so much from the touchscreen. But from what I understand, with it being an EV and with many functions intelligently automated or available via the steering wheel switches, there are probably few occasions when you do need to change anything on the touchscreen on the move.
That said, I do like the idea of a few well-placed physical switches and looking forward to test-driving the I-Pace which goes quite some way towards the Tesla UI, while retaining physical controls for a few key functions like HVAC and so could well turn out to be the ideal compromise. But equally I wouldn't rule out it being a necessary staging post on the way to full touchscreen control for those of us of a more nervous disposition.
Incidentally, next Monday seems to be when the embargo lifts for I-Pace first-drive reports, so probably a lot more information next week. (Reports thus far have been either the official launch video or 5-minute rides in very contrived circumstances.)
