I would argue that this is an improvement over modern designs because one can memorize the orientation of the buttons and change gears without looking. One time I was driving a Buick and I accidentally engaged the E-Brake because there is zero tactile difference between Drive and E-Brake. Having to constantly look at the very bottom of a display panel, with zero peripheral vision on the road whatsoever, to fuck with a row of toggles to change the cabin A/C because making everything completely uniform is fashionable is inexcusable to me. I think that these large infotainment systems should be banned from cars and only something large enough for a backup camera is really necessary. All these apps and displays and flashy animations are so badly distracting.
Some people are not smart enough to convey sarcasm online without coming off sincere.