The Truth About Cars: they’re hideously complicated devices that must be able to serve duty in every sort of meteorological condition. The controls required to help keep their owners comfortable in this huge and ever-changing range of temperatures and climatic conditions are subject to neglect, abuse and constant use. Not to mention simple human nature, which is simple, but not so easy to satisfy in any meaningful bio-mechanical way. So hats off to the designers, engineers and assembly workers who delivered unto us, the driving public, a sane, sensible way to control our own personal micro-climate. I present to you, gentle readers and humble auto industry-types, TTAC’s Top Ten HVAC controls 2009, with comments by our very own Best and Brightest. [Gallery below. Printed list and comments after the jump.]
10. 2008 Can-Am Spyder – Tavert– “HVAC? Who needs HVAC when you’ve got a sea breeze?”
9. Toyota Camry – Denis Favro – “You can, effectively, be blind and a double-arm amputee and still use the HVAC and radio controls. They’re big, distinct, well (but not obnoxiously) illuminated. This is true of any Toyota (and most Lexuses, which is amazing, given how awful the average luxury car’s ergonomics are). But the Camry is the standard-bearer.”
8. Ford Mustang – Alex Nunez– “The HVAC controls on the current-generation Ford Mustang (I drive an ’06) are completely straightforward: dials for temp, fan speed and vent selection. The A/C on/off button is also in an obvious, easy-to-reach spot.”
7. Dodge Dakota and just about every Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep – Davy49 – “Simple, glove-friendly three-knob design”
6. Audi TT/Audi R8 – Howler – “The HVAC controls are straightforward and an easy finger’s length from the shift knob. Once you understand that the right dial indicates airflow direction, and that the circular icon represents defrost, the design is easy to follow. The design also mimics the triplex configuration of the vents themselves, which is a nice touch.”
5. Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coup – sean362880 – “Behold the pair of bejeweled silver fan speed controls. Admire the dual electroluminescent thermostats. Bask in the glitter from the chromed window and roof retract switches. All set in a dash hewn from the rarest and most endangered species of tropical rainforest rosewood; surely the finest HVAC controls money can buy.”
4. Hyundai Accent – bumpy – “What temperature would you like? One dial. What speed would you like? One dial. Where would you like it? One dial. Would you like A/C? One button. Would you like recirculation? One button. If you can’t figure this out in less than ten seconds, you probably shouldn’t be driving.”
3. Ferrari 575 M Maranello – Edward Niedermeyer – “Ferrari tried to bring some Teutonic practicality to the 575M’s HVAC controls– and succeeded. I’m not sure if the dials are actually connected to anything, or how effective the whirring bits are, but the Fezza’s big rubber knobs are perfectly proportioned and ergonomically sound. And sexy.”
2. Honda Accord – noreserve – “Honda’s reputation for keeping things simple endures. That up/down lever is the most logical, easiest-to-use that I’ve come in contact with. When lit, the DUAL button indicates that there are dual or independent temps in use for driver and passenger. Turn it off and it syncs the passenger temp to the driver temp. No holding of any button for several seconds a la Audi. The MODE button toggles through the expected face, floor, floor/defrost type modes using an icon representation on the screen above. The Rear defrost/heated outside mirror button does exactly what it claims, as does the front defrost button. Simple stuff all.”
1. 1998-2007 Volvo S80 Volvo – TEXN3 – “Simple and intuitive design. Rotary fan speed with lighting for each speed, rotary temp control with numerical settings for both driver and passenger, first use of the Volvo vent setting showing the seating position with airflow on the relevant button. Large ‘auto’ button placed in center for those in a hurry and for those that don’t mess with their fan and temp settings too often. Defroster buttons grouped together like they should be.”
The Mustang??? Was this a contest for the oldest HVAC design? I mean…that design is almost 20 years old.
Replace the S80 with the C30… it is a much cleaner design with a digital readout of the temp/fan speed.
Sorry, but the Accord’s single row of identical buttons does nothing for me. Can’t argue with the clarity of the Volvo design, however.
P71_CrownVic : The Mustang??? Was this a contest for the oldest HVAC design? I mean…that design is almost 20 years old.
Do you like reinventing the wheel? Three knob designs are where its at. Though I could do without the extra buttons on the new stang, the three knobs (that’s all) is perfect in my ’87 GT droptop.
Honda Accord? Seriously? With all those buttons?
‘Three knobs’? Are we talking about the congressional hearings again?
The Accord and R8 are jokes, right?
And I came here to say what Sajeev said. The HVAC control problem was solved a long time ago.
C30 and later Volvos have become more fussy in their take on the original design. Yes, they look a bit sleeker but more attention must be paid (at first) when using the controls. And thus, no need for a digital display.
TT and R8 design remind me of old Saabs, with the arrows.
I’m satisfied the Dakota made it. Mine is the last-gen model but besides cheaping out on the plastics, the basic design hasn’t changed much and is eminently user-friendly.
Sorry, but the Accord’s single row of identical buttons does nothing for me.
I’m surprised, too, especially compared to the Camry. At speed, the Camry can be changed without a glance off the road; the Accord requires a few moments of study to get right. Among mainstreamers, only the ankle-level HVAC controls of the Fusion are worse.
The Accord’s controls are awesome. Once you hit Auto (as you should) those levers are a breeze to use without even glancing at the HVAC controls.
Perfect. IMHO.
Three knobs and a few buttons are all that is needed. Anything beyond that is lust adding complexity for bragging rights.
3 knobs is fine, just keep the temp setting in degrees… not red and blue bars.
Buttons to change vent direction are better than knobs, because unlike fan speed and temperature, there’s no “gray area.” (Maybe ONE car had this, but that’s another topic.)
But let’s question this list’s validity:
The Accord? Really, Robert? Hitting “tap tap tap” to change temperature? A flick of the wrist is about 300 times more effective. Think about it this way- the temperature dropped 30 degrees on a cold morning and you want the heat blasting… tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap… oops, one too far… tap tap. The Accord’s is horrible- the buttons are all spread out and in a similar location with their display being acres above them.
The 3 knob setup is fine, but why did you pick those with only four fan speeds? And why did you pick a setup (Ford Mustang) where the “off” button is with the vent position instead of fan speed? That doesn’t even make sense.
And the Dakota’s? Too many vent control options on the knob because they were too cheap to add a “recirc” button. At speed you have to glance down and decipher which of the 7 options is the one you want (just look at their layout!).
So here’s my challenge to TTAC’s… tell me why the setups you picked are better than this: http://z.about.com/d/cars/1/0/r/p/ag_07altima_interior.jpg , or than this
http://www.grohol.com/mazda/MAZDA33.jpg
I disagree with the Accord being in this list. The buttons look impossible to use with gloves on.
The Nissan Versa’s HVAC should also be given consideration.
Yes, all very pretty and nice knobs ..
Now, tell me how many billed shop hours to replace a fan motor in these plastic snapped together mazes. $600 , $800 plus motor?
Then, I will choose the best one…
Were the Nissan models setups submitted? The Altima is very similiar to the Mazda3 GT setup.
Now, how about the worse? With Pictures?
Sorry about the lack of my (noreserve/Todd Strickland) original text in there for the Accord, Robert. Here it is:
I nominate the 08 Accord EX-L V-6. Yes, the same much-maligned, too complex center stack of this vehicle. I am pretty sure that where Honda missed the boat on this stack was with the stereo controls. Ignore them. I know why they contribute to the lion’s share of the too-complex tag, but that’s a separate rant.
Instead, consider the single line of HVAC controls that has the most often used control – the temperature – closest to the driver. This is perfect for an auto HVAC system, as the user is most often than not simply going up or down in degree increments. That up/down lever is the most logical, easiest-to-use that I’ve come in contact with. I first used it on an 06 Odyssey and liked it there.
Honda’s reputation for keeping things simple endures. An example with HVAC is their DUAL button. When lit, it indicates that there are dual or independent temps in use for driver and passenger. Turn it off and it synchs the passenger temp to the driver temp. No holding of any button for several seconds a la Audi.
The MODE button toggles through the expected face, floor, floor/defrost type modes using an icon representation on the screen above.
The Rear defrost/heated outside mirror button does exactly what it claims, as does the front defrost button.
Simple stuff all. Not sure how you could make it any easier or more intuitive.
A follow-up here, as I see more than one comment on the Accord’s HVAC and the nature of anyone’s sanity in recommending it.
First question: Have those of you knocking the Accord’s HVAC (EX-L V-6 is the one I’m referring to) actually used it? Like Robert states, an auto HVAC system should be set to auto. The toggles are very easy to use, even with gloves. Turning a knob is never going to beat bumping a toggle up or down once or twice with gloves – even great rubberized knobs like in the LR3 that were designed for it.
And for those of you changing the temp more than a couple of degrees at a time, you sound like my wife – can’t wait for it to do its job and thinks that if it’s cold when you get in, that ratcheting the temp up to 80 is going to get it warmer faster. Same applies to the summer.
That’s the beauty of an auto HVAC system – most of the battle for the best controls are won simply from the fact that you shouldn’t have to constantly adjust them.
Other than my brother, who drives with gloves on? Is it the 1920s? Of course, a contemporary Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep makes the case for driving gloves, and it ain’t because I am a gentleman. Yuck.
I’m sure that the Accord controls become familiar over time, but typically Honda has gone straight for “feels like home from day one” a la my Honda product.
In other news – last time I drove a late model BMW, I couldn’t figure out how to switch between AM and FM. The HVAC worked fine, though.
“Toyota Camry – Denis Favro – “You can, effectively, be blind and a double-arm amputee and still use the HVAC and radio controls. They’re big, distinct, well (but not obnoxiously) illuminated. This is true of any Toyota “
I would offer up my current generation 4Runner as an example of Toyota not getting it right with HVAC controls. Buttons arranged on non functional knobs. Brilliant!
The only people who fiddle with Auto HVAC controls with gloves on are the retards who think that cranking the temp up to 80 degrees will make the car warm up faster.
Manual HVAC is a completely different animal of course.
Anyone happy driving driving a car other than an E-Type, whose control interface is one or more rows of parallel, undifferentiated buttons is, quite simply, not driving fast enough.
The modern standard was set with this car…
http://www.taurusclub.com/encyclopedia/G1/86sablemiddledash.jpg
It features easy to use controls. If memory serves, the knobs were differentiated enough that you didn’t have to look. But, if you did have to glance, you didn’t have to divert your eyes too far down the dash.
I didn’t submit mine as they stopped selling the car here in 96, but check out the bitchin 80s style led hvac controls from the 300zx dash. It doesn’t get any better than this: http://www.300zx.cl/ga2/300zx3/images/console.jpg
within a day of driving you will be able to adjust anything without even glancing away from the road.
Even better I was able to score brand new hvac and lighting consoles (the little modules on each side of the wheel) to replace my slightly worn ones for $20 on craigslist. Each console is held in place by 2 screws and they just plug right in. Took me less than a minute to swap them out and replace.
Yes, the 1986 Taurus/Sable deserves credit as the first American car to use the now-common 3-knob setup. It banished the sliders to the dustbin of history. (Anyone know if any imports had these earlier? My guess is Audi.)
I would offer up my current generation 4Runner as an example of Toyota not getting it right with HVAC controls. Buttons arranged on non functional knobs. Brilliant!
Yes, there’s the one car in Toyota’s lineup that fudges it. No denying that.
First question: Have those of you knocking the Accord’s HVAC (EX-L V-6 is the one I’m referring to) actually used it?
Yes, and the Camry is still better. Yes, it’s an automatic system, but that only mitigates the problem: the topography is not good (it’s mixed in with the radio controls), the buttons are undifferentiated and indistinct and you do need to look away from the road. You’ll eventually get used to it, but you shouldn’t have to.
Have a look at the Camry: three knobs, all very well lit, all distinct in function. If you get the auto-climate version, it’s just as easy. When I test-drove the Accord, I had to pull take my eyes off the road for much longer than I was comfortable doing; in the Camry, I didn’t need to look away at all.
The Honda is bad design from a purely ergonomic standpoint: saying that automatic climate control makes it better, or that you’ll get used to it, doesn’t excuse the original mistake. I saw the same issue on the Sienna and Oddyssey; the Sienna’s controls looked cheesy, but were easier to use than the slick-looking-but badly-laid-out ones in the Oddy.
You’ll see a more extreme example of this in the nightmare dash of most Acuras: Honda is trying for aesthetic symmetry, and sacrificing functionality.
I’ll bet these were designed by an engineer (Honda has more than a hint of Professional Engineer Know-It-All-ism about it’s products) where Toyota’s were done by an actual ergonomist.
My pet peeve is the lack of recirculation control in many cars. That is directly tied to living here in the allergy capital of the world. The valley Huntsville is in supposedly had an old indian name of something like ‘valley of sickness’.
Ford just gave us a recirculation button last year (company car #29) but they randomly turn it off when we want it to stay on all the time. I notice the Dakota still doesn’t have one. That just won’t do.
It would be cool and helpful in the future, if for top tens like this, someone could do the research and find out who the tier 1 supplier is who is responsible for these HVAC control modules…for example, for several years I worked for Toyota tier 1 supplier Tokai Rika (aka TRMI, Inc., in Battle Creek, MI) and I believe they designed and supplied all the HVAC switches (and power door and window, auto trans shift levers, etc.) for the Camry and Corolla.
When I worked there, I know we took it seriously, these weren’t “just switches”, but rather something integral to the tactical and safety experience of the vehicle, something that could subtly add to(or detract from) the entire vehicle experience. So, knowing which supplier is responsible for these gems would be a nice touch…
kkleinwi : The only people who fiddle with Auto HVAC controls with gloves on are the retards who think that cranking the temp up to 80 degrees will make the car warm up faster.
Not when you have a retarded system that likes to blow high-speed cold air into your face before the engine’s warm, like my Outback’s. (Notice out of the plethora of LGT and OB owners on this forum, not a single one nominated a Subie’s). In fact, I nominate it the worst.
OK, second worst after iDrive.
psarhjinian
Yes, and the Camry is still better. Yes, it’s an automatic system, but that only mitigates the problem: the topography is not good (it’s mixed in with the radio controls), the buttons are undifferentiated and indistinct and you do need to look away from the road. You’ll eventually get used to it, but you shouldn’t have to.
The Honda HVAC controls are not mixed in with the radio controls. They are a distinct row on top that has no overlap with the admittedly horrible stereo layout.
Regardless of whether we’re talking buttons or knobs, with auto temp, fan, etc. you still have to glance at the screen where the digital readouts are displayed to confirm the number. Unless you have already glanced at the digital number and know that you just need to bump the toggle up/down or turn the knob left/right.
For front defrost or rear defrost, you press an individual button. Or you turn a knob. Unless you memorize where your defrost/mode buttons are on the knob AND know where your current knob position is, you’re still going to have to glance at the control and/or display. Technically, you could also memorize that the rear defrost button on the Accord is directly to the left of the passenger toggle and barely have to even look at it. Realistically though, I am going to be using the defrost when I first get in the car and am still stationary, so it’s no big deal, button or knob.
I would argue that the Camry control knobs are further down than the Accord buttons, so until you memorize where positions are, you’d be taking your eyes further down in the Camry. My eyes would be looking further down in the Camry anyhow, given that I’d be so bummed that I bought an appliance instead of a car with a bit of a soul. Just kidding. ;-)
Prado:
I would offer up my current generation 4Runner as an example of Toyota not getting it right with HVAC controls. Buttons arranged on non functional knobs. Brilliant!
You are right on the money (’08 LTD here). On the other hand, for a big vehicle, it throws heat quickly and the A/C is plenty cold enough. Stupid controls, but great vehicle.
Maybe we could start one for 10 worst. But we all know iDrive would be on top. Everything is just a few hundred clicks away.
# jgh :
January 9th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Not when you have a retarded system that likes to blow high-speed cold air into your face before the engine’s warm, like my Outback’s. (Notice out of the plethora of LGT and OB owners on this forum, not a single one nominated a Subie’s). In fact, I nominate it the worst.
The 300C has an “Auto” and “Auto-Low” specifically for these situations. More HVAC controls should have that feature.
Mark MacInnis :
January 9th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
It would be cool and helpful in the future, if for top tens like this, someone could do the research and find out who the tier 1 supplier is who is responsible for these HVAC control modules…for example, for several years I worked for Toyota tier 1 supplier Tokai Rika (aka TRMI, Inc., in Battle Creek, MI) and I believe they designed and supplied all the HVAC switches (and power door and window, auto trans shift levers, etc.) for the Camry and Corolla.
I’m curious to know–the 350Z’s HVAC knobs are nearly identical to the ones found in the Camry (as are the turn/wiper stalks) and a number of Toyotas; same basic design, with three knobs and buttons within the knob itself.
“Now, tell me how many billed shop hours to replace a fan motor in these plastic snapped together mazes. $600 , $800 plus motor?”
The only blower I’ve ever pulled was the one in my Accent (generation before the one in the pic). Take out the glovebox, undo the plug and 3 or 4 screws on the bottom, and it falls out of the housing along with the leaves and crap that were the reason for its removal (I got tired of listening to that racket).
@pls,
American manufacturers seem to like the word “Max” in their HVAC Systems. Generally, selecting AC/Max causes recirculation and any “non-Max” allows in fresh air – as it were. You can use “Max” and crank up the heat too.
@jgh,
Do you have a Subaru w/ the automatic HVAC? If so, make sure that the thermostats are set ABOVE 65. If they are set above 65 and you have lots of airflow before the heater core is warm, something is amiss. 65 – on a Subaru – sets the flow on full blast – no matter what.
@dgduris,
Yes, I’ve driven around all winter with Max AC on, but my wife seems to prefer to do silly things she’s been able to do in her Hondas for 25 years, like have the air blow on her feet, or defrost the windshield, or have the air blow anywhere but straight out of the dash.
the controls on my 2002 Accord are much better than the ones on my 2003 (since sold). In the 2003, some of the radio controls were mixed in with the HVAC controls and, during the 4 years I owned it, I was never able to use them without looking. The 2002, OTOH, is simple, intuitive and a breeze to operate.
Excellent awards category!
The predominant memory I have of the last minivan I will ever own (a 2004 Nissan Quest) is the cheap-ass HVAC knobs that wobbled and crackled more than they rotated in the direction of the desired climate change. The best thing I can say is that they made my father-in-law’s 1990 Mercury Topaz feel like a Rolex by comparison.
Sometimes it’s the little things that leave the big impression.
I say S2000. I rocker for fan speed, one knob for direction one knob for temp.. And the passenger can’t reach them.
Oh you’re cold? Well my fast likes it cold.
The Accord? Are you people out of your MINDS!? My friend has one and I think it is worse than the Acuras with having too many buttons. Sure the paddles are interesting, but there are way, way too many buttons.
If you ask me, the non-navi Civics have one of the best HVAC controls. A row of several buttons, horizontally, clearly marked, that require nothing more than a simple push to select your option.
It doesn’t get easier than that.
The Accord people? REALLY?
I drive a 2008 Accord EX-L and I love it (including the auto-climate HVAC controls – You really can do whatever you want with them).
But it’s really hard to argue with the simplicity and intuitiveness of some non-auto-climate HVAC controls. For example, in the same Honda brand: The Element! 3 very large rotary buttons (Fan, Temperature and Air routing), 3 good-sized push buttons inside – Recirculation, A/C On & Off, and Rear window / Side mirrors defrost. All 6 buttons easily operable, even with gloves on. (The 2nd generation CR-V (2002-2006) had the same type of controls – Just mahhhvelous!)
@Areitu :
The 300C has an “Auto” and “Auto-Low” specifically for these situations.
Doesn’t that kinda defeat the purpose of having an “auto” setting? I see what you’re saying, but that seems like a crude fix.
It’s 22 here in Providence this morning and I was thinking about the HVAC controls as I jumped into my 2006 Subaru Spec. B and dialed the seat heaters all the way up.
I rarely think about the HVAC controls on that car because the part I use falls right to hand and takes but a twist to gain the desired result…The thermo dials (one for each side) fall right to hand. They are big and ridged like a quarter making them glove friendly and allowing me to keep my eyes on the road (lest I hit some poor RISD student bicycling to class). In auto mode, they control the fan speed as well. What I don’t like as much is that the manual mode buttons, while slightly differentiated, necessitate eye contact. Especially to get the airflow to the windscreen and the floor at the same time. A simple set of differentiated, audible “bongs” would fix that, though.
@pls,
Yeah! American HVAC systems could freeze Hades or scorch the sun. Too bad they are so poorly directed.
Wow, you guys have it all wrong. The hands down winner of best HVAC was the ACC in the GM900/9-3 Saab. You guys are all talking about which has the best ergonomics. The Saab’s, all you had to do was occasionally adjust the temp. That’s it. It would turn on the A/C when it needed to cool down the car *or* dehumidify the air to get rid of condensation on the windows. It always picked an appropriate mix for the air, so you weren’t fiddling with the controls. If it was hot, the A/C came on full blast, you didn’t need to tell it. It just worked.
2nd best – Lincoln Mark VII. I occasionally had to hit the max A/C.
By comparison, the ACC in my ’03 5 series needs constant attention. My feet are cold in the winter, you have to tell it when to use A/C. I sure do miss the Saab’s ACC.
Oh! The Saab’s controls were great! My then girlfriend had one (convertible). It was just that the windows would freeze in the down position and the alarm would go off every time a squirrel farted.
About the time we got tired of each other, she got tired of that car and retired us both. Of course Saab had a frequent buyers program so she got another one of those.