[orange4boy]

In defence of some high tech vehicles, they have their own appeal but need to be modded to bring out the best. I don't think it's the high tech that's the problem.

I don't know about the Volt, but the Prius is very high tech automatic hybrid vehicle and an enjoyable one to drive. It handles well. You can still control the transition between EV and gas somewhat which has it's own unique pleasure. The engineering is still a thing of beauty and the drive train is pleasingly simple. There is no way to avoid a certain drive by potentiometer feel in an electric car though. I have to say I don't miss the power band lag of a standard ICE configuration.

The gen1 Prius has the three knob HVAC (Still the best config. like Franks f150) with climate control but like Peter I wish it had a full range of gauges. I had a Graham scanner for a while that gave me a choice of 50 sensors to watch, of which 4 could be selected for viewing at any given time. Geek heaven.

I think the manufacturers are missing the geek factor in these cars although they seem to give the muscle car crowd their fix of old school gauges. They know damn well that the early adopters will be eco-nerds so why the lack of gauges?