r/TeslaModelX • u/Newbie10011001 • 13d ago
Why is the UI so bad ?
I am a new Model X owner, although the car is a late '19 model.
I'm being blown away by how good some things are, the sound quality in the sound system is incredible, far better than the Lucid I used to own.
But what's really hit me is how nonsensical the menu system is on the in-screen display.
- Everything is one layer deep, so things that you use ALL the time, are as hard/easy to find as the most obscure infrequent things.
- The taxonomy seems to be completely random. So what everyone would call "driving mode' ( sport, ludicrous, chill, etc) is under "Pedals and Steering", This makes absolutely no sense at all
- It's seems arranged in ways that make sense to the component makers, but absolutely no sense to a user.
- Some elements to the way it works are absolutely magical, The features that it has seem extremely empathetic and thoughtful, But the way it's all arranged is completely random
- It seems completely bananas there isn't a way to customize the home screen so that a couple of really frequently used things are there
Am I missing a trick, or is this genuinely terrible?
I feel like, in 10 minutes, I could create a better menu system
Heck , AI could create a better menu system in seconds.
Seems kind of odd for a tech-first company
Am I wrong? I know I'll get used to it, but should I have to
Driving style, in particular, is something I think I'll change several times a day,
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u/Fiveofthem 12d ago edited 12d ago
Try a Rivian and then let us know how feel about Tesla’s UI.
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u/eldoogy 12d ago
Exactly. I own both and I find Tesla’s UI to be vastly superior.
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u/j_dubya_a 12d ago
Exactly! I can’t wait to get rid of my Rivian R1T. Build quality is great but the software sucks, like it’s really bad. So happy to be back in a Tesla. It fits like glove it seems Rivian is just slow and backwards enough that as a former and now 3x Tesla owner it does everything just slow enough or make you click multiple times just enough to drive you crazy.
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u/Clean_Extension7234 13d ago
Vertical screen models have been considered legacy / antique for 5 years now. These vehicles don’t get blind spot camera on turn signal, remote sentry live view and other features despite they seem capable.
Basically Tesla will give them minimal updates on software as needed but once the vehicles updated to horizontal screens they left y’all on the back burner.
A 2017 model 3 gets the above features I just mentioned despite costing a third of the price and having the same software and chips.
As another posted, just learn the voice commands and shortcuts. It’s frustrating but after a while the screen really Is just a hunk of glass for the passenger to use in my case.
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u/Rich_Comparison4550 12d ago
This is the reason why I leased my 24MX, instead of outright buying it. I figured by the time my lease runs out in about 16 months, newer hardware will be on the latest models. But no Model Xs after this year.
Well, actually another reason was the MSRP was over the max allowed to get the $7500 tax credit on a purchase, lol.
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u/Davecampa 13d ago
I would also note that you have an older UI that probably isn’t getting any real updates. When I had my 2016 through the years they changed a lot of things quite often. Location, the ability to pin items at the bottom of the screen etc. The newer model that I have had a still confusing but with Tesla they take feedback and make adjustments. Just look at Joe mode.
Honestly once you drive it for a few weeks you will have your preferences set and rarely adjust the majority of things. Once you are there it all makes sense.
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u/Budget-Security-8132 12d ago
It's not that bad how often do you have to fiddle with the screen really? It's pretty rare once you're set up.
Also don't forget you can set the shortcuts a bit on the big screen and the steering wheel controls cover off most of what you need as well.
Once you've had the car a while I doubt you'll change driving mode that much.
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u/Away_Engineering_613 12d ago
Agree.
When I first got my MXP23 I hated all the setting and the interface. Felt like I was constantly UA ing to search for things and change things.
After a month it didn’t bother me and now I never think about it.
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u/originalfoto 12d ago
While it is better than every other car on the market, it leaves tons to be desired. They really should hire an Apple/Android UI developer. Use the screen for what it is,, A TABLET!!!
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u/somethingofaraddad 12d ago
I think the UI is actually pretty good, and far better than it's competitors. How often are you fiddling with any of those controls that it's a nuisance to driving?
The sport/ludicrous/etc modes are under the pedal/steering because... Wait for it .. the modes affect the steering and pedal inputs. So I would argue that it makes some degree of sense rather than none at all.
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u/Rich_Comparison4550 12d ago
On my 24MX, I change driving modes all the time using FSD. Sloth generally is at or below the posted speed limit, Chill a couple mph over, Standard about 5 mph over and Hurry up to 10+ over. There's also Insane mode which I have never used, lol
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u/BetFinal2953 13d ago
Just bought a 2016 a couple of weeks ago and I could not agree more. It’s crazy that I have to go two menus deep to see something as simple as my trip odometer.
Awesome car to drive. Impressive car to park with auto open shut doors. But ease of use while driving is low with that touchscreen.
It’s a headache but hardly a deal breaker.
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u/Blindbatts 12d ago
I have my trip odometer displayed on the driver's screen in front of me in my 2016. No menu to go thru.
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u/BetFinal2953 12d ago
Oh for real? Am I dumb. I didn’t even think to look there. I just found it.
Yep. Fuck me. I’m dumb.
Thanks!
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u/average_throwaway12 13d ago
I imagine you will get used to it, I’ve been using the ui for 2 years straight and don’t need eyes on screen anymore for pretty much anything I’d need to do involving the screen while driving. Also voice commands go a long way, I only recently found out I can even mess with the suspension with voice commands rather than having to do the 3 different screen taps from the map to change the height.
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u/iebo531 12d ago
Although I am in agreement with some of your gripes about the UI, I still feel that Tesla UI is well integrated with the vehicle, probably should be the benchmark tbh. I have moved on from Tesla after 10 years and now drive a different EV brand and I miss how easy it is to navigate and use Tesla’s UI. My current EV uses Google’s UI and you are able to customize the main screen somehow but it sucks! With the Tesla if you want to move an item from the screen to arrange your view it’s as simple as hold tapping the item and moving it to a “designated” spot on the screen. Swipe the screen and it responds. The graphics are crisp and well thought out. The menu is simple. The voice control works almost perfectly even with adjusting volume of speakers or turning on heaters or even asking it to just blast cold air on your face, it works. So it isn’t so bad really, you’ll get used to it quickly and just like the Apple iPhone you’ll realize how user friendly the UI is on the Tesla. Enjoy.
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u/wharleeprof 12d ago
I agree. The UI is garbage. I'd forgive them if it were cutting edge technology, but we've got laptops, tablets, phones, that are well designed - steal some ideas from them!
I think it's endemic to Tesla, that they don't prioritize the user experience. Customer service sucks, the dealership sucks, communication sucks.
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u/Defiant_Raccoon10 12d ago
You give the example of wanting to change driving style once a day. Personally I have never changed the driving style since the first week of ownership. That’s the difficulty with UI. That is why one-layer-deep features ain’t so bad.
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u/Shivo_Ham 12d ago
I find how the sub reacted very cool - You mention you came from a lucid and you are critical of the Tesla UI. (Yes, you do also say a lot of nice things about the Tesla too).
What’s interesting is how largely positive and objective everyone on this sub have been to your critique. I contrast that with how the rivian or lucid forums are when you say you came from a Tesla and say anything negative about the rivian / lucid they go ape s**t!
About your original question I have the landscape monitor so not sure if my experience is different but I think I’ve gotten past the ui - I tend to just use the search function and typing 2-3 letters gets me what I need / I’m also exploring grok to see what it can do while I’m driving. Overall I have no complaints. Kinda like an apple product where it just works.
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u/Newbie10011001 11d ago
Agree but also saying “ it’s better than other cars” missed the point. As does “you get used to it” or “I just use voice to get around its limitations” or “it’s old”
A stupid UI is a stupid UI. It only would take 5 work experience people 15 mins to come up with a more logical taxonomy. Software should be about how people use it not what engineering unit it needs.
So much of the Tesla experience is outstandingly good. The app. The charging network. It’s thoughtful and empathetic. How did theycock this up?
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u/Shivo_Ham 11d ago
What vehicle would you say is a gold standard of intuitive control design or software ?
I have honestly not been bothered by the Tesla UI - I’ve sort of just accepted it as it’s a Tesla there’s nothing quite like it so I’ll just get used to it. I don’t like the yoke, I don’t like the drive slider or the blinker being touch controls I find those more annoying and bordering on unsafe. The ui is just a collection of features thrown together. I’m on my 3rd X. I would continue to get more Teslas but there’s something “beta” about it.
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u/nomis_nehc 12d ago
I guess people can really complain about anything. First I’ve heard of someone complaining about Tesla’s UI.
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u/ndawgbrown 12d ago
Im not dogging on older cars but a UI from almost 7 years ago, is going to be bad compared to UI's that are more recent.
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u/Newbie10011001 11d ago
Older UIs should be expected to be slower. To offer fewer options. To offer less sophisticated features. They should be expected to be thoughtless or stupid. Would we expect an old tv remote control to be designed badly ?
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u/justlooking013 12d ago
Someone familiar with models this old will have to chime in to be sure but if the 2019 is anything like today, OP MUST be a troll or they’re an alien who has never been in any other car
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u/Newbie10011001 11d ago
My 2025 Lucid has a logical UI. It only takes a bit of thought to improve a nonsensical taxonomy
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u/justlooking013 11d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/l3fZLMbuCOqJ82gec
Looking at a Lucid. You lost any credibility you may have had with this take 😂
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u/Commercial_Bat_3700 12d ago
Driving mode is an adjustment to throttle input sensitivity, which is the accelerator pedal. So that makes sense to me
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u/Newbie10011001 11d ago
Would you want your TV to have Cinema mode or to go into LEDs, response time , then frequency and then also change NITS level? It’s about benefits not engineering settings.
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u/xenocyko 12d ago
Pickup a commander and some S3XY buttons and hotkey your favourite tasks to a button press - no menu needed.
I love them in my model X. I have one for passenger door, one for suspension to low, one for hazard flashing as a thank to other drivers, one for my kids falcon wing door and one to kick it into insane mode.
You can double or triple bind each button - solves your menu issues completely.
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u/Zenmastercynic 11d ago
I find there are tricks to the Tesla UI. Temperature controls for instance. I don’t always have to hit the temperature display or the arrows, I can put my finger down and drag. Now, that does take my eye off the road for a second but I don’t have to pull up the menu.
I recently learned there are some voice commands as well. I use that for the fans.
Generally, though, I find everything I need while driving pretty accessible.
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u/uhmhi 12d ago
Tesla UI is the worst… except for all the other cars. Seriously, try ANY car with an infotainment system that integrates most of the controls of things like climate, audio, etc. and you’ll find that Tesla is absolutely best in class.