Technology

I think I agree. I would be fine with an infotainment system that:

1. doesn't cripple the car when broken
2. isn't integrated with non-screen controls like climate
3. still has functional buttons on the steering wheel

My malibu meets 2 and 3, but the fact that if the infotainment system breaks it cripples the entire car, puts me on edge. This would be mitigated if actual functionality was outside of it, and that the touch screen was just a control layer.

One thing I really like about the Lucid Air is that the big screen retracts. Makes it look and feel quite different, almost like an older car without the big screen.

Important controls like seats, temperature, and volume/pause are physical. So you can have the big screen when you want it, and it goes away when you don’t. More cars should do that, though the additional moving part probably isn’t great for longevity.

My vote is:

1. Button layouts that have worked for 20-30 years
2. Heads-up displays for readouts of current values. Mph/kmph is displayed by default and the display temporarily changes when something like volume, heat, radio station, track, etc. is adjusted

Best of both worlds

I disagree. I don't want to have to take my eyes off the road to change my music, or turn the volume up/down. They need to be physical buttons/knobs.

There should be two screens. One only visible from the navigators seat and always available. The other can be where it makes sense, but it should be disabled for all input when the car is not in park. When the car is in motion only limited information is allowed - you shouldn't be able to tell what the name of the song playing is as that isn't something you have any business reading. You should get some indication of what the next turn is, but even that needs serious UX work to ensure it is not distracting.

Exactly!

This pretty much summarises it.