GMC made a splash when it revealed the 2018 Terrain crossover, which noticeably does not incorporate a traditional gear selector.
Instead, it’s the first application of a push-button gear selector, and the brand thinks it’s the right shift unit for the right time. The Detroit Free Press was able to test the push-button shifter in an open space to try and fool it into doing something downright dumb. Thankfully, it never did.
The “Park,” “Neutral,” and “Low” gear buttons are each engaged by pushing the button, while the “Drive” and “Reverse” gears are engaged by pulling the button forward. GMC said this was an intentional design to help avoid pressing the wrong button and employing a different function for the most important gears. Both the “Drive” and “Reverse” functions will also be illuminated differently at night to help avoid confusion.
To further fool-proof the unit, GMC has a few safety nets. If the driver were to select park while traveling at speed, the transmission automatically defaults to neutral, and a message is displayed warning the driver he or she has selected a prohibited shift function. Drive can be reselected immediately.
The vehicle will also apply the parking brake immediately if the doors are opened while the car is still in reverse, a feature for those who forget to reselect park after backing into a parking spot or other instances. The transmission also automatically shifts into park when the engine is shut down, should a driver forget to engage park after arriving at their destination.
The goal of the new shifter is to free up valuable real estate in the center console area. Whether consumers take to the idea remains to be seen.
Comments
I do not mind GMC using buttons but couldn’t GM use higher quality material to make them? Maybe utilize some metal trim around them or something. They just look like cheap afterthought plastic buttons for a somewhat good idea. Poor execution on the material look only not the idea behind it.
I think using metal materials would burn people? Ever think about that when hot summer comes?
Your window switches or pretty much any knob in the car doesn’t have metal surrounds?
Window switches don’t use metal materials. Door handles does.
Seriously? Have you been in a Mercedes or BMW lately?
I think even VW utilizes chrome surrounds on their window switches.
Nope just because I never care for Merc or Bimmers.
Some competitor offers a dial. It reminds me of the old cars that had the shift on the steering wheel — minus the shift and the steering wheel. Simple, intuitive, and small.
These buttons will destroy sales of this car. Maybe it’s an intentional way of forcing Terrain buyers to try Acadia.
If you think something as simple as this will “destroy” sales you are not plugged into reality. Having the extra space is really nice. It’s really not that big of a deal. Plus the early adopters will love it. Maybe just calm down there.
Imbecile sockpuppet: I’m criticizing the design of these specific buttons not the idea of removing the shift.
Someday someone will come out with the retro shifter. It will be mounted on the steering column.
Hate to tell some of you but buttons are retro.
Many Chryslers and the Edsel used buttons but back then they did not have the electronics to make it reliable.
The knob has been an issue in some Chryslers. The guy from Star Trek was killed by his jeep.
I think GM is just trying something new and different like many of you complain they don’t do enough of. Now they do it and you complain they did.
The reality is if you like the Terrain it is not enough to make or break the deal.
No it will not burn you finger and if it does then just toughen up a bit.
I suspect GM is testing this to see how people adapt. If it works it could be a way to remove the shifter a and make it more fail safe to prevent law suits.
Any time you change something like this it needs to be fool proof and that is difficult to do in this society anymore.
I could only imagine how many people would sue for the Corvair and Tempest for not having a park setting today.
Sorry, but this will be a deal breaker for a significant number of customers including me. The whole idea of using buttons and switches for a transmission is just plain moronic!
You’ve got a dial, right? Let’s say it’s transparent. And all the shift LETTERS are visible up top.
When in PARK an LED illuminates the circumference of the dial. To indicate both PARK, that the engine is ready, and that spinning the dial changes things.
Turn it to D and the circle goes out but a GREEN inner circle illuminates. Green = GO. Turn it to R and the inner circle turns red. Red = REVERSE.
It would take a child three seconds to learn how to do this.
I have gotten to really like the hockey puck shift knob on my 2017 Ram!
(I can’t imagine the pinhead who downvoted your comment. Oh wait — I can.)
Thanks for naming a car with a dial/knob. I went right to YouTube and watched it in action. As I presumed it was a tribute to the shifts that used to be on the steering column — minus the column and the metal shift.
On face value it’s already superior to this stupid Terrain notion. There’s a PASS/FAIL line for me in this sort of design. The RAM passes, the Terrain FAILS.
I still believe some form of color coding is necessary of the RAMs letters. A second way to know what gear you’re in.
Cars with displays need to get in on this action. Every time my Encore goes in reverse my screen shows the backup camera — a BIG hint I’m in reverse. I wouldn’t mind if the screen did something when I was in Neutral — because nearly EVERY time I’m in neutral I don’t mean to be.
I’m with you on that. I have no desire to “Get use to” this. It’s totally counter intuitive and for me it would definitely be a deal breaker. They must not have tested this idea at all. I think Edsel already tried this!
What apologist nonsense.
The removal of the shift level and the console allows more space between the front seats. That space can be used to put in other items, or (back to the past) put in a front bench seat.
Front bench seats are never coming back.
I remember a lot of people saying the same thing about convertibles. So never say never I’ll bet front bench seats will be back in the luxury sedans sooner than you think. And yes the armrest with cupholders will be back too.
When the Phantom or the S-class feature front bench seats, call me. Until then, your bets are valueless.
By the way, have you noticed how cassette players and ashtrays have disappeared? When do you bet that they will return in a luxury sedan? What about horizontal speedometers or opera windows? Any bets on them showing up in the 2018 CT6?
Bench seats are a thing of the past. Most would never pass side impact standards.
The last thing we need up front is more crap distracting the driver.
GM could achieve the same space saving techniques by using a column shifter like the trucks.
More reliable, less expensive.
All modern transmissions are totally electronically controlled so the complexity and expense of a mechanical linkage is not required.
I bought a vehicle with push button start a while back. It is something I’ve never had and you quickly get used to it. I believe it will be the same for this. People who buy them will intuitively go to the buttons after they get the hang of it and not for a shifter that is not there.
Respectfully, Paul, the topic here isn’t if people can adapt to change. The topic is if the proposed change is smart and intuitive.
If you got a room of people under 50 together and said pick one of these designs are you new shift —
a. A dial
b. A series of buttons and pull switches
c. A touchscreen like your phone with all the buttons ready to be ‘touched’
I’d bet most people would want C. Then A. And B would finish last.
If you then asked them which would be potentially dangerous — I’d bet B would landslide. Because it’s both buttons and switches — TWO options. A and C are ONE option.
Poor design.
In the early 2000’s GM had the most ergonomic driver “cockpits”. Look at the 2000 to 2004 Pontiac Grand Am for the best example. The driver controls, the radio, windows, the AC and heat controls were all shaped and spaced so perfectly that it was trivial to use them without looking away from the road. Somehow in the past 15 years, they have forgotten about how important this is.
My aunt had an old Plymouth in the 70’s with push button shifter, it was old at that time, idea is nothing new. A column mounted shifter takes up very little space between the seats. Seems to be something different just for the sake of something different.
I wonder what would happen if drinks gets spilled on the control. It is likely that someone would have that experince
I agree. Shift buttons right next to the cup holders…doesn’t seem like a good idea.
But if it’s waterproof?
The Acura MDX also use a push button gear selector. Theirs is mounted on the left side of the console and uses basically the same safety features. As previously mentioned, Chrysler used push button gear selectors back in the 50’s and 60’s. This is just a new take on an old idea. It will be interesting to see how it is accepted.
Those push button shifters on Chrysler Corp were great! Positive shift control, out of the reach of passengers, absolutely positive selection, and doable without looking (by feel). Consumer Reports hated them because, like every new thing, it required a period of getting used to it. Their testers don’t get the time to get used to anything except the few cars kept for long term testing (maybe). Better than the knob on Jaguar. I, as well, am concerned about fluid spills into controls.
My question is how can you spill coffee on the push button transmission where the controls right next to the cup holders are driver select controls?
The auto industry has been the place where we have seen odd and different in many vehicles including many mainstream models and none have failed due to one simple feature.
We have already covered the Chrysler buttons and Corvair with no park.
How about SAAB with the ignition on the console. Or how about the 911 with the key on the left.
Ford put the radio on the left of rage driver in the. LTD for a while. The Alfa has put window buttons on the roof.
Cord used a preselector transmission.
Bentley is now offering a Falconer option so you can take you a Falcon out to play.
Heck how long did GM not use the PRNDL order on their transmissions on some cars.
The bottom line here is this is not a big deal. Prop,e will either like it and GMC will offer more or hate it and it will disappear.
And no the buttons would be protected from any fluids as most have waterproof covers anymore.
The Nissan like styling and 4 cylinder only should be more controversial of any of this.
If people do not like the styling or engines the buttons matter little
I feel like this thread is about to get as big as that one thread about that of guy complaining of not having a CD player on the Equinox
As big or as irrelevant? Lol…
+1
I see reverse and drive require the same motion on same type switch just 2″ apart. Hmmm….wonder who will be 1st to grab r instead of d and back over a child? This is fixing what aint broke. 3 workable places for a standard prndl-column, console, or protruding from dash. Novel executions are just asking for trouble. Maybe we should put brake to the right of gas so the most used pedal is in the middle? And btw- this is not the 1st “innovation” in shifters of late- see Cadillac xt5. That one is so bad it definitely cost at least one sale-to me. I hate that car with a purple passion and a lot of it stems from the damn shifter. You see that abortion and start to question the heritage of the people who foisted it upon the motoring public. Then, you begin to see the rest of the vehicle in the same negative light and next thing you know you are cursing the salesman for even showing you this turd. I am quite worried for GM given the ruinous downsizing of Acadia, crazy overpricing of equinox, general unattractiveness of terrain, Chinese origin of envision and soft sales of full size trucks (falling behind ram? For real?) Non-sedans are where it’s at right now for sales and gm just seems to keep shooting off toes and killing golden gooses. Better sell a ton of traverses to make up……
So now the front seat passengers won’t have an issue telling which drink belongs to who but the driver needs to take his eyes off the road and go pecking around trying to push or pull the right lever/button. The use of gloves also poses a problem. This seems like going backwards to me.
Just saw on Motorweek that the new Aston Martin DB11 also has a push-button automatic, as do some of the new Lincolns. I rode in my neighbors Dodge Ram 1500 pickup this week and saw that Dodge uses a dial selector. Looks like many are seeking an alternative to the traditional shift lever. Time will tell.
I did not like it. I drove a 2020 terrain as a rental this week. When cruising down the highway, steering with only my left hand, there was no place to rest my right hand when my elbow was on the console riser.
Also, the traditional lever and knob that has been in use for years is easier to shift into park, neutral or low without taking my eyes off the road. The new button style always seem to require at least a quick glance down to ensure that I am hitting the correct button. At least it is not some stupid touch screen or voice command.
Also, the buttons will not let you go directly to N with one push. You have to hit D or R first.
Also, on my drive to work, I always shift to L2 when I go down a long steep hill, so that I do not need to ride the brakes for a mile. (And ensure that I am never going too fast for the cops that seem to have speed traps set at the bottom of the hill.) Physically, using the new style buttons requires me to stretch and lean and grope the dash to find the L button and then the (-) button.
The old lever and knob style is sooo much more ergonomic… in one fluid motion, I could grab the knob, depress the latch release, pull back the lever, and my index finger slides right onto the (-) button to downshift. Then to go back to D, it’s a simple push the lever forward, it stops at D. Quick and simple.
You can’t do that with those new push buttons!