Car interiors are changing fast. Screens are everywhere, and many automakers are putting almost all controls on a display. This can be confusing for new drivers.
The Nissan Leaf takes a different approach. The new Leaf keeps things familiar for drivers used to traditional gas cars. Christian Spencer, a Nissan senior manager, explained that 75 percent of Leaf buyers have never driven an electric car before. Nissan wanted the cabin to feel natural and easy to use.
Instead of hiding everything behind a touchscreen, the Leaf has buttons where drivers expect them. The start button, turn signals, and gear selector are all in familiar spots. Even the HVAC controls are physical buttons placed above the dash, making them easy to reach. Media controls remain physical as well.
Spencer said the team didn’t focus on what other EVs were doing. They focused on what customers already know. They asked, “Can they turn it on? Can they figure out the turn signals? Can they get it in gear?”
This approach is very different from Nissan’s Ariya, their more premium EV. The Ariya blends controls into the dash, making it look sleek but less straightforward. In the Leaf, simplicity is key. The layout is clean, easy to navigate, and approachable without feeling cheap.
Nissan is betting that normalcy will help first-time EV drivers feel comfortable. With most Leaf buyers being new to electric cars, keeping the controls familiar may be exactly what convinces them to stay with EVs.
