It’s been a while since I’ve driven a really new car, but every few years or so—usually when renting a car—I get paired with one.
We picked up a lovely Mazda SUV here in Aus earlier today, and it’s well suited for Outback driving.
The thing that really impressed me was the car’s Heads Up Display (HUD). It’s a little projector that sits in front of the driver and projects a bunch of information onto a reflective screen on the windshield. This information looks like it’s floating out in front of the car, and it makes it easy for the driver to look at their speed, the speed, and other information without having to take their eyes off the road.
It’s simple, but it feels magical. It’s the kind of product that now I’ve experienced it, I want every driving experience to have it, and I struggle to imagine why I would ever not want it. That’s the best sign of a well designed product.