[4Matic]

Is this true? I read this online and it doesn't sound right to me.

It seems like a step back from Mercedes. I wonder what the reasoning behind this is? It's a weird cost saving measure, if that's the reason. All cars these days should be touchscreen especially on a luxury sedan.

 

[fastlane]

doesn't seem like a step back to me, touch screen is cool but doesn't need to be the standard for every car out their. when driving and trying to change radio stations for example, it would be hard to guess what your doing while you have your eyes on the road. at least with a knob or button you know what your doing when not looking at it.

i just rather have the traditional screen with dedicated buttons and controls below it.

 

[brianch]

I prefer buttons actually. I don't think touchscreens are responsive enough on cars to be useful.

 

[BODHI85]

In a few years, we can have the best of both worlds with tactile touchscreens

 

[BenzFan]

In a few years, we can have the best of both worlds with tactile touchscreens

CES 2013: Tactus Technology Tactile Touchscreen - YouTube

I believe we will eventually see in-car technology that's largely controlled by our eyes and hand motions. This technology was seen in the Hyundai Genesis Concept unveiled this year. I posted a picture of the concept below just to refresh everyone's mind of what exact concept it was

I doubt Hyundai will use this technology any time soon, but have a good feeling Mercedes could be one of the first brands to use it in production vehicles.

And one day we'll see it in the CLA

 

[dbtk]

Haven't had a problem with the touch screen on my Cayenne (even when wearing gloves).

 

[Giovanni S.]

I prefer buttons actually. I don't think touchscreens are responsive enough on cars to be useful.

I also prefer buttons for the feel and feedback back but however I do like the clean look of a touch screen without buttons. When you think of anything with buttons now its just dated.

 

[brianch]

Most touchscreen units in cars still have physical buttons for basic things like climate control, input options, etc.

 

[StyleCoupe]

Haven't had a problem with the touch screen on my Cayenne (even when wearing gloves).

Can car touchscreen work with regular leather gloves? I always had to take them off when using my smartphone. I actually bought one of those special touchscreen compatible gloves so I wouldn't have to.

 

[4Matic]

In a few years, we can have the best of both worlds with tactile touchscreens

CES 2013: Tactus Technology Tactile Touchscreen - YouTube

Looks too weird to me. I'd prefer a flat touchscreen and real buttons.

 

[600Benz]

Haven't had a problem with the touch screen on my Cayenne (even when wearing gloves).

Have you tried out any other infotainment systems aside from the one in your Cayenne? I think Porsche is known to have one of the better infotainment systems out their, I heard it can be better than Mercedes.

 

[Giovanni S.]

Aren't we expecting a little too much from mercedes in the CLA. For now its ok but maybe in the near feature they will eventually add it in when the price depreciates for this feature or if something better is svailable. I'm fine with buttons and toggle controls for the feel anyways. The CLA is not cheap looking anyways.

 

[600Benz]

Aren't we expecting a little too much from mercedes in the CLA. For now its ok but maybe in the near feature they will eventually add it in when the price depreciates for this feature or if something better is svailable. I'm fine with buttons and toggle controls for the feel anyways. The CLA is not cheap looking anyways.

Yea we might be expecting too much, but even some more mainstream cars from brands like Honda, Dodge, Ford, etc have touchscreens. Not saying that because if they have it a higher end vehicle like the Mercedes should, but it's something people expect a mercedes to have.

Doesn't matter much to me, but of course it would be a great thing to have.

I too can see it eventually becoming available, great 'upgrade" to include for future model years.

 

[brianch]

I never use the touchscreen in my cars. I like physical buttons. So this does not bother me at all.

 

[BODHI85]

I'm actually considering installing an ipad as my dash in my CLA. After hearing that Mercedes offers an app that allows all the functions of your car to controlled by an iphone. It sounds a lot better than the default Mercedes screen.

There's a bunch of videos of ipad mini dashboard installs on youtube. Hopefully getting the work done won't be so expensive

 

[dbtk]

No, I have not tried other tough screen versions. However, as stated elsewhere on my Mercedes, I like the rotary knob's functionality.

Have you tried out any other infotainment systems aside from the one in your Cayenne? I think Porsche is known to have one of the better infotainment systems out their, I heard it can be better than Mercedes.

 

[4Matic]

I'm actually considering installing an ipad as my dash in my CLA. After hearing that Mercedes offers an app that allows all the functions of your car to controlled by an iphone. It sounds a lot better than the default Mercedes screen.

An ipad mini is not a bad idea. But the costs of getting it installed in the dash might be pretty expensive as well. The cheaper option is getting an ipad mount. It just won't look as pretty.

I'm just hoping the Drive Kit Plus is not too expensive, it's still TBD on the CLA accessory options page.

 

[ViceCity]

Is there any update on this? Can we replace the infotainment center with a touchscreen? Because this dial-operated one is sure to be annoying.

 

[mr.smith]

I think the CLA should have a touch screen infotainment system. Generally, I think that it would be optimal to have a Siri-like voice command system. That is the most hands-free and therefore would also be the safest. It will be like the computer in Star Trek.

 

[Hskev]

I have experienced both knob and touch screen, I like both. I have tried the CLA's interface in the showroom and it looks fine. I think that the screen itself is way to high to be used as a touchscreen. When the car is moving it is difficult to make precise selections with a stretched arm...The touchscreen needs to be closer/lower to be more practical according to my experience..