I somewhat regularly drive 9+ hours and split controls are not really comparable to just pointing the vents. If I am the driver, I need cool air blowing at me to keep me awake and alert. No longer having to compromise with passengers has been a pretty big improvement for a drive that long.
Till one of the 3 in vent temp sensors fails and my AC won’t turn on until its replaced but you have to remove the entire dash to access it so it would cost $1500 to change a $20 sensor
I’d argue split climate for the driver and passenger seat is the only important missing innovation.
Just point the vents fancyman
While I’m eating sushi, snapchatting, and flipping off that jerk that cut me off?? That sounds dangerous.
I somewhat regularly drive 9+ hours and split controls are not really comparable to just pointing the vents. If I am the driver, I need cool air blowing at me to keep me awake and alert. No longer having to compromise with passengers has been a pretty big improvement for a drive that long.
That and the ability to set a temperature that is then automatically maintained.
Till one of the 3 in vent temp sensors fails and my AC won’t turn on until its replaced but you have to remove the entire dash to access it so it would cost $1500 to change a $20 sensor
3 zone a/c is also pretty nice. No more “it’s too <exact opposite of what the driver is feeling>” whining from the back.
True, but in my experience that’s on a separate console in the back seat.