The EPA has removed compliance credits for the vehicle stop/start feature, a move aimed at reducing its prevalence in new cars. This feature, designed to improve fuel economy and lower emissions, has long been a source of frustration for drivers. The EPA introduced these credits in 2012 to encourage automakers to meet federal greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards, but the feature’s widespread adoption has led to significant driver dissatisfaction. Despite its environmental benefits, many find the automatic engine shutdown and restart intrusive, especially in sports cars like the 2026 Ford Mustang GT and Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Despite the EPA’s decision, many new vehicles still include this feature, even sports cars like the 2026 Ford Mustang GT, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Toyota GR86, and Subaru BRZ. Drivers often find the automatic engine shutdown and restart at red lights annoying, with some even installing devices like the Autostop Eliminator to disable it. While most vehicles have a switch to turn off the feature, the EPA’s elimination of the compliance credit reflects its acknowledgment of the feature’s unpopularity, calling it “almost universally hated.”
Another contentious feature is touch-only infotainment and climate controls. These systems, inspired by smartphones, require drivers to look away from the road, unlike traditional physical buttons and knobs. The backlash has led some automakers, including Honda, Audi, Hyundai, and Mercedes-Benz, to reintroduce physical controls. For example, Honda’s Display Audio system initially used a capacitive touch slider for volume control in the 2015 model year but added a physical volume knob by 2019 due to consumer complaints.