I need help choosing the next vehicle for my aging in-laws. With so many vehicles becoming technologically integrated in their approach to the driving experience, I need the opposite: a driver-focused vehicle with a more tactile experience. Rather than screens and sensors, we need buttons and levers. The days of their ability to stay current with technology are behind them.
We are looking for a reliable and luxurious mid-sized SUV. This would replace a Lexus and Porsche that they are currently driving. The vehicle would have to be capable of winter driving as they drive about two hours to the ski cottage frequently during the season. The vehicle would have to be gas or hybrid (not electric or plug-in). The budget is less than $100,000.
With so many aging parents out there, with wealth to burn, I think auto manufacturers should really focus on this segment with car design. – Joe
The GV80 Coupe is what a luxury car interior should be like with a 27-inch continuous OLED screen, quilted Nappa leather and red stitching.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Miranda Lightstone: Finding tactile buttons and knobs in modern vehicles is like trying to find a black cat in a dark room, but they are out there, somewhere. Sadly, there’s going to be some technology to get used to no matter what, but there are luxury models that cater to those who like to press, twist and flick to change settings. The Genesis GV80 comes to mind.
Mark Richardson: You’re right that “luxury” means more feature choices and more adjustability, and a knob or switch for each of them is overwhelming. The GV80 is a good place to start, though. It has physical knobs for the climate control and the sound system as well as physical dials on the centre console for the transmission and some other functions. It’s quite instinctive to operate.
Lightstone: Precisely why I suggested it. Plus, the GV80 has a few models to choose from with either a 2.5-litre or 3.5-litre turbo engine available. All but the top-end Prestige trim come in at less than the $100,000 budget, including fees and taxes.
Richardson: I wonder if Joe’s in-laws have ever tried voice commands in a car? It’s the kind of feature you dismiss until you use it, and then you never look back. Once the car learns your accent and intonation, which can take up to a month of regular use, there’s little reason to use any of those tactile buttons and switches again.
Lightstone: Strange that Mark the Elder is suggesting the voice commands, and Miranda the Young Gun is going to admit to hating them. They can be finicky, and the frustration of the system not understanding immediately is hard to get past. I would much rather select an option with my finger and know it’s going to do precisely what I want it to immediately, without having to repeat myself and yell at a vehicle to make it listen.
Richardson: But that’s because, like most automotive journalists, you rarely drive a new car for more than a few days at a time. It takes longer than that for the car’s software to learn to fully understand your speech. I rarely bother with it in test cars, but my phone certainly understands me. Not that I have an accent. It’s everyone else who has an accent.
Lightstone: Let’s get back to the actual button-heavy luxury SUVs available. Because Joe’s in-laws have had Porsche, we would be remiss not to mention the Macan. I adore that Porsche has kept plenty of buttons and switches in the centre console of modern models.
2025 Porsche Macan GTS interiorCourtesy of manufacturer
Richardson: The cabins of the compact Macan and mid-size Cayenne are like fighter jets with all the switches. Some people like that, but I find it all a bit much. Joe did ask for a mid-sized SUV, but the most basic Cayenne starts at $101,000, and that’s before fees and taxes. The smaller Macan starts at around $85,000 all-in.
Lightstone: While we don’t know the model year of Joe’s in-laws’ current Porsche, it’s safe to say they are used to the abundance of things to press – Porsche has had that design for quite a few generations across its lineup.
Richardson: I would recommend the Lexus RX, too. Joe’s in-laws also currently drive a Lexus, so they’ll be familiar with the brand, and the RX is the only luxurious SUV that’s made in Canada. It has an assortment of tactile knobs and buttons and, after driving one across the country a few years ago, I can vouch that it learns to easily recognize voice commands.
Lightstone: I’ll second that suggestion. I really enjoyed my time with the RX, thanks to its interior comfort and overall drive. It’s smooth and comfortable without feeling disconnected. And Lexus has a great range of RXs to choose from: turbocharged, hybrid and plug-in hybrid.
Richardson: The RX I drove was the 500h, but I spoke at the time with RX drivers of all the other versions and nobody had a bad thing to say about their vehicles. All but the top-end editions will cost less than $100,000, with the most basic coming in around $73,000 after fees and taxes.
The dash on the 2023 Lexus RX 500hMark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
Lightstone: Any other brands come to mind?
Richardson: I’d like to recommend the new Mercedes-Benz GLE, but its huge front screens would be overwhelming for people more comfortable with analog controls. Its most basic edition will be right on the budget cap, too.
Lightstone: Modern Mercedes would be my last suggestion for those who aren’t tech-savvy or into screens everywhere. It is overwhelming. If they want to explore a luxury mid-size with some larger screens, I’d veer toward Volvo with the XC60. The screen layout is more familiar, like a smartphone or tablet. Plus, the XC60 is supremely comfortable and, even if Joe’s in-laws opt for the better-equipped hybrids, it still comes in at less than $100,000, even after taxes and freight.
2025 Volvo XC60 interiorCourtesy of manufacturer
Richardson: I don’t think Joe’s in-laws want any screens at all, frankly. The challenge is that modern, luxurious vehicles need screens to keep all the many adjustable features usable. Perhaps what they really want is a familiar car from 10 or 20 years ago, or just a comfortable version of a basic car.
Lightstone: I think they should stick with what they know. Both Lexus and Porsche have button-heavy new options, and systems they will already recognize. What Joe needs to do is ensure his in-laws go to the dealership and sit in the cars to fiddle with buttons and knobs and see if they feel overwhelmed or comfortable with the onboard system. They need to understand there is a learning curve, but first impressions mean a lot.
Richardson: And they need to start using the voice-command options. There’s a lot of computing power in modern speech recognition and it can change everything about their drive.
What car should you buy? Write to Mark and Miranda at globedrive@globeandmail.com and use ‘What car’ as part of your subject line. E-mails with different subject lines may not be answered.
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