I assume the author is talking about user interfaces when he mentions UX, so... >Which is a shame because the elements of the design that don't have any actual

I assume the author is talking about user interfaces when he mentions UX, so... >Which is a shame because the elements of the design that don't have any actual UX are extremely well executed (both the aforementioned cruise control, lane assist and some minor things). That is UI design. An interface is a much broader thing than just computer interfaces. It most certainly encompasses placement and behaviour of physical controls. As for the touchscreen, I got a new MP3 player a while back. I could not find anything but touchscreens now. My old player had physical controls, I could do the common things like skip and fast forward without thinking, without looking. The new one, well, that touchscreen - put bluntly, I hate it.