touchscreen test finds drivers more distracted than 2022Drivers now spend more time buried in screens and controls to complete basic in-car tasks than they did just a few years ago, according to a repeat test conducted by Vi Bilägare. The Swedish outlet first ran its methodology in 2022 and reproduced it for 2026, keeping conditions consistent to measure how modern interfaces have changed.The test asked drivers to adjust climate settings, change radio stations, and alter display brightness while traveling at highway speeds on a closed airfield. Crucially, testers learned each system first to replicate an owner's familiarity. Results were logged by the time each task took and the distance a car covered while it was performed.The numbers moved in the wrong direction. In 2022, the average distance covered while completing tasks was 2,480 feet. By contrast, in 2026 that figure climbed to 2,667 feet, with drivers needing roughly two extra seconds to finish the same tasks they were given two years earlier, per Vi Bilägare's results.touchscreen test finds drivers more distracted than 2022Both figures tower over the test's control vehicle, a 2005 Volvo V70. The wagon drew criticism in its day for a cluttered, button-heavy interface, yet it averaged around 984 feet. According to Vi Bilägare, the Mazda CX-60 was 2026's worst offender, requiring an average of 3,730 feet for its set of tasks despite an updated interface Mazda maintains prioritizes safety and ease of use.AdvertisementAdvertisementVolvo's lineup, however, performed best in the outlet's testing, with the XC60 completing its tasks in an average of 1,591 feet. Notably, the XC60 is screen-heavy, showing that large, clear controls dedicated to essential functions can work.Vi Bilägare also reports that larger screens mounted higher on the dash tended to perform better, a direction the industry is already moving. Audi, among others, has reportedly signaled a renewed focus on usability and physical switchgear in upcoming models. Still, execution remains the deciding factor.Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
