Car technology is evolving at a dramatic rate as automakers offer fresher models with more tech, new styling, and a different take on driver comfort. What was once an expected piece of equipment or features set can be missing, redesigned, or eliminated altogether in the latest model. Some of this equipment is being replaced or adapted to the newer digital controls of the vehicle systems, while other changes have more to do with the new styling. The evolution of vehicles seen in the past is continuing to take place in the automotive industry.

You can find this trend in almost every class of vehicle and from every automaker, from high end luxury cars to electric vehicles to pickup trucks to SUVs. Touchscreens, gesture controls, parking functions, specialized displays, and door-handle shapes are all examples of aspects that are evolving or disappearing altogether. Sometimes car companies are updating long-running technologies, other times they’re removing things from the next-gen vehicles, and other times they’re replacing one set of technology with something new. Whatever the case may be, here are 10 feature that are disappearing, changing, or decreasing in prevalence by 2026.

1. Tesla Model S Touchscreen Controls

When the Model S debuted, the Tesla Model S massive central touchscreen helped usher in a new era of modern automotive interiors. Tesla eliminated many physical buttons in its cabin, opting instead to front-load a massive screen of digital controls within a minimalist cabin, giving the Model S a sci-fi feel but also making it more difficult to operate certain functions. That sleek style is today closely associated with Tesla. But new Euro NCAP safety-rating criteria that go into effect in 2026 could benefit traditional knobs and switches for key controls, putting pressure on touchscreen-centric vehicles.

Tesla Touchscreen Changes:

• Massive central touchscreen interface
• Physical controls face renewed pressure
• New Euro NCAP criteria
• Essential functions need easier access
• Tesla may add hardware

Tesla may therefore need to modify its famous monolithic display strategy by bringing some physical controls back into the cabin. The purpose would be to make essential operations easier and more straightforward while continuing to use software for other functions. The potential change does not eliminate Tesla’s digital interface, but it could alter how drivers interact with important vehicle controls. As safety-rating requirements evolve, touchscreen-heavy interiors face greater scrutiny. The Model S therefore represents how a technology that once symbolized automotive innovation can be redesigned as safety expectations and interface standards change.

2. BMW 7 Series Gesture Controls

We can say that the BMW 7 Series is quite famous for its hand-based gesture-control system which BMW has offered as a feature. The driver was offered various functions like raising and lowering the volume of audio, answering calls, and many more by waving his/her hand, or by spinning his/her finger in front of the dashboard. The system presented a futuristic experience that had appeal, and it was nice to demonstrate but could also be troublesome on the road to use the system. BMW is stepping away from gesture controls as it is planning to simplify the infotainment interface and update the style of its iDrive system by 2026.

BMW Gesture Control Changes:

• Hand motions-controlled functions
• Volume could use gestures
• Calls could use gestures
• Accidental inputs were possible
• iDrive direction is changing

Moving forward, the BMW 7 Series will rely more heavily on physical controls and voice commands. Removing the gesture system simplifies the interface while reducing the possibility of unintended hand movements triggering vehicle functions. Although gesture controls provided a futuristic touch, their usefulness in everyday driving was less consistent than their showroom appeal suggested. BMW’s changing iDrive strategy demonstrates how automakers can move away from novel technologies when simpler control methods better suit daily use. The 7 Series therefore shows the transition from experimental interaction methods toward more predictable physical and voice-based controls.

3. Chevrolet Blazer EV Rear Drive

In addition to the front-drive and all-wheel-drive powertrains, Chevrolet also was to offer the Blazer EV with a rear-drive option, which would add a different driving experience for electric SUV drivers. Chevrolet was to have kept the rear-drive option, which is attractive to many die-hard car enthusiasts, but it is now being dropped for 2026. Justification for the change includes product rationalization, which has also resulted in the elimination of the rear-drive option, and the retention of front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and performance all-wheel drive for the SS.

Blazer EV Drivetrain Changes:

• Rear-drive option gets dropped
• Change begins for 2026
• Product simplification drives decision
• Front-wheel drive remains available
• All-wheel drive options remain

Removing the rear-wheel-drive version allows Chevrolet to streamline manufacturing while continuing to offer different capability levels across the remaining Blazer EV lineup. Buyers will still have front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive choices, while the SS retains its performance all-wheel-drive configuration. The change demonstrates how vehicle manufacturers sometimes reduce the number of configurations available even when individual versions offer distinctive driving characteristics. Instead of maintaining every possible drivetrain combination, Chevrolet is focusing its 2026 Blazer EV lineup around the configurations it intends to keep. The rear-drive Blazer EV therefore becomes another feature configuration disappearing as automakers simplify their product strategies.

4. Ford Mustang Mach-E Self-Parking Assistance

Active Park Assist was a feature that Ford offered with the Mach-E to assist when parking in a tight parallel or perpendicular spot. It even worked in reverse to assist in parking if needed. But it had never been a popular feature among most owners and the automaker is removing it in favor of new city parking auto steer features that are now regulatory priorities that will assist parking for the driver rather than just automatically perform the park. The Mach E will still use sensors and cameras for assistance, but the auto park feature is being eliminated.

Mach-E Parking Changes:

• Active Park Assist gets phased
• Usage remained relatively limited
• Added complexity increased costs
• Sensors and cameras remain
• Manual parking returns

The removal does not mean Mach-E drivers will lose all parking assistance. Cameras and sensors will continue helping drivers judge tight spaces and maneuver around obstacles. The major difference is that the vehicle will no longer perform the complete automated parking maneuver through Active Park Assist. Ford’s decision highlights how a technically advanced feature can still disappear when customer usage does not justify its additional complexity. Drivers will once again have greater responsibility for steering into parking spaces while continuing to benefit from visual assistance provided by the vehicle’s existing camera and sensor systems.

5. Mercedes-Benz EQS Hyperscreen Displays

Mercedes-Benz was also pleased with the MBUX Hyperscreen display on the interior of its Mercedes-Benz EQS, a glass panel that extended the entire cabin like a gigantic panoramic computer screen covering the driver and passenger side of the cabin. It was one of the most prominent technology features on the electric luxury sedan. But shifting thinking around the risks of distraction are guiding how the automaker is reconsidering the size of large displays and looking at slicing up the screens across its electric models so the content is focused inside designated areas and reducing the potential for visual clutter.

EQS Display Changes:

• Sweeping Hyperscreen design
• Multiple digital displays
• Driver distraction concerns
• Displays may become segmented
• Design remains digitally focused

The evolution does not mean Mercedes-Benz is abandoning digital luxury or large displays altogether. Instead, the screen layout is being adapted to create clearer boundaries for different types of content. Keeping information within designated zones can reduce visual complexity while preserving sophisticated digital functionality. The EQS therefore represents a shift from maximizing screen presence toward balancing technology with driving ergonomics. The cabin will continue to emphasize digital features, but the arrangement of those displays is changing as automakers respond to concerns surrounding visibility, distraction, and how much information should be presented directly in front of occupants.

6. Jeep Wrangler 4xe External Sound Generators

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe operates quietly when traveling in pure electric mode, which led to the use of an external sound generator designed to alert nearby pedestrians. The system produced an artificial sound so people could hear the nearly silent vehicle approaching. Jeep’s version developed a distinctive acoustic character that became part of the 4xe’s electric-driving experience. However, regulatory authorities are moving toward standardized pedestrian alert sounds across the automotive industry. Manufacturers must tune these systems to meet consistent requirements, meaning Jeep’s brand-specific acoustic signature will be replaced by a more standardized sound profile shared with other electric vehicles.

Wrangler 4xe Sound Changes:

• Electric driving remains quiet
• External pedestrian sound required
• Jeep used distinctive sound
• Regulations favor standardized tones
• Brand-specific sound gets replaced

The change is primarily about regulatory consistency rather than removing pedestrian alerts altogether. Electric vehicles still need warning sounds because their low operating noise can make them difficult for pedestrians to detect. Under standardized requirements, manufacturers have less freedom to create unique acoustic identities for these systems. For the Wrangler 4xe, that means its customized electric hum will give way to a regulation-friendly sound profile. The feature therefore illustrates how safety-related technology can become standardized across manufacturers, reducing some of the brand-specific character that once distinguished individual electric and electrified vehicles.

7. Chevrolet Silverado Removable Tailgate Cameras

The Chevrolet Silverado introduced a removable tailgate camera system designed to make towing and difficult backing maneuvers easier. Drivers could detach the camera unit and mount it directly onto a trailer or heavy equipment, providing a useful view behind the vehicle and helping reduce blind spots. However, automakers are phasing out modular auxiliary camera systems because of cost, reliability concerns, and limited real-world usage. Regulatory concerns surrounding live wireless feeds from movable cameras have also contributed to the decision to remove the technology. Silverado owners will instead return to more traditional fixed-camera arrangements while towing and maneuvering.

Silverado Camera Changes:

• Removable camera aided towing
• Camera could mount on trailers
• Blind spots became easier
• Cost concerns affected adoption
• Fixed cameras remain

The removal means drivers will continue to have camera assistance, but the flexibility of physically moving the camera to a trailer or piece of equipment will disappear. Traditional fixed cameras will remain available for normal reversing and maneuvering. When towing boats, campers, or equipment, drivers will need to depend more heavily on existing camera views, side mirrors, and careful positioning. The Silverado’s removable camera system demonstrates how useful technology can still be discontinued when cost, reliability, usage, and regulatory considerations make a modular approach less practical for future vehicle designs.

8. Hyundai Ioniq 5 Reclining Zero-Gravity Seats

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 became known for its lounge-style interior and reclining zero-gravity front seats with built-in leg rests. The design allowed occupants to relax significantly while waiting at charging stations, including taking comfortable power naps during longer road trips. However, automakers are increasingly restricting lounge-style seating modes because of safety regulations and liability considerations. Regulators require occupants to maintain safe seating positions while a vehicle is traveling, leading to software restrictions that prevent deep reclining unless the vehicle is securely parked and powered down. These changes affect how the Ioniq 5’s reclining function can be used.

Ioniq 5 Seat Changes:

• Zero-gravity seats recline deeply
• Built-in leg rests included
• Lounge-style comfort became popular
• Safety restrictions are increasing
• Deep recline requires parking

The Ioniq 5 will remain a comfortable electric vehicle, but its reclining functionality will face additional restrictions. Software lockouts and warnings can prevent occupants from using the deepest recline positions while the vehicle is in motion. The purpose is to ensure occupants maintain safer seating positions during travel. Drivers and passengers will therefore need to follow parking protocols before using the seats in their most relaxed configuration. The change demonstrates how interior comfort technologies can be affected by safety requirements, even when the feature itself remains physically available inside the vehicle.

9. Hidden EV Flush Door Handles

Flush and retractable door handles became a recognizable design feature on modern electric vehicles from manufacturers including Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid. These handles normally sit nearly level with the bodywork and pop outward when needed, creating a clean and seamless exterior appearance. However, safety regulators are pushing back against purely electronic flush handles following crash reports involving handles that failed to deploy during emergencies. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has issued draft rules calling for external handles with mechanical backups, along with minimum size requirements intended to ensure rescue personnel can access vehicles. Such requirements could affect global vehicle designs.

EV Door Handle Changes:

• Flush handles create sleek styling
• Handles can retract electronically
• Emergency deployment raised concerns
• Mechanical backups are proposed
• Minimum sizes may be required

Because global vehicle platforms often use standardized designs across different markets, proposed requirements can influence vehicles well beyond China. Electric vehicles may therefore move away from fully motorized pop-out handles toward simpler designs that retain mechanical operation during emergencies. The change addresses situations in which electronic systems may not function after a crash or loss of power. While flush handles provide a clean exterior and modern appearance, future designs may need to prioritize mechanical accessibility alongside styling. This could make conventional external handles more common on upcoming electric vehicles.

10. Auto Start/Stop Systems

Auto start/stop systems were introduced to automatically shut down internal-combustion engines when vehicles stopped at red lights or in traffic. The goal was to reduce fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions, but many drivers disliked the repeated engine shutdown and restart behavior. Complaints included jerky restarts, sluggish acceleration from stops, and concerns about long-term component wear. The technology is now disappearing from some new vehicle lineups for reasons that are not primarily connected to safety mandates. Shifting U.S. fuel-economy policies and persistent customer dissatisfaction are reducing the need for automakers to depend as heavily on the system for compliance targets.

Start/Stop System Changes:

• Engines shut off at stops
• System aimed to save fuel
• Drivers disliked repeated restarts
• Fuel-economy pressures are shifting
• Automakers are dropping systems

The changing automotive market is also influencing the future of start/stop technology. Relaxed fleet mileage pressures mean some automakers have less need to rely heavily on automatic engine shutdowns to meet compliance metrics. At the same time, hybrid and electric vehicles can deliver efficiency without using the same stall-and-restart process. As a result, automakers are quietly removing auto start/stop functionality from some new model lineups. The feature that once represented a simple way to reduce fuel use is becoming less central as powertrain technology changes. By the 2026 model year, this shift reflects broader changes in both vehicle technology and manufacturer priorities.