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There was a time, not all that long ago, when the act of driving required nothing more than a set of keys, a functioning right foot, and the common sense not to run into a telephone pole. The 2005 Honda Civic, for instance, was the perfect embodiment of this era, affordable, analog, and unkillable. You didn’t need a tech support hotline to change the radio station or defrost the rear glass. But here we are in 2025, and even that once-humble Civic has morphed into a rolling software suite with tires. A touchscreen here, a sensor array there, and more drive modes than a Le Mans prototype. What used to be instinctive now requires digital literacy and a healthy dose of patience.
How Innovation Is Leaving Drivers Behind
But let’s be fair, innovation in the automotive world isn’t inherently bad. In fact, we asked for it. Safer, smarter, more efficient cars. Lane centering. Collision avoidance. Wireless this and over-the-air that. But while engineers have delivered features in spades, they’ve simultaneously abandoned a core tenet of good design, accessibility. The assumption now is that you, dear driver, will just figure it out. The problem is, most people won’t. Not when basic tasks like adjusting the climate control or disengaging a driver assist system require spelunking through touchscreen submenus that change with every over-the-air update.
Essential Factors to Know Before Renting a Tesla: Technology, Costs, and Support Programs
- Tesla rentals provide an opportunity to experience electric driving, featuring advanced technology and access to Tesla's Supercharger network. However, first-time EV renters may encounter a learning curve, particularly with charging logistics and vehicle controls. Hertz has implemented educational programs, including digital content and "EV ambassadors," to assist customers, though the effectiveness of these initiatives has received mixed feedback.
- Hertz's substantial investment in Teslas faced hurdles due to higher-than-expected repair costs and lower consumer demand. The company reported that EVs, especially those used by rideshare drivers, required more frequent repairs, leading to increased maintenance expenses. Consequently, Hertz decided to reduce its EV fleet by selling a significant number of Teslas.
- In an effort to manage its EV inventory, Hertz has offered renters the option to purchase the Tesla they've rented at discounted prices. Some customers received offers to buy their rental vehicles for as low as $17,913, providing an affordable entry point into Tesla ownership.
Which brings us to Tesla, they’ve created the most streamlined and graphically elegant user interface on the road today. But the keyword there is user. If you’re not one already, if you haven’t spent hours watching tutorial videos or lurking in the forums, then that minimalism might as well be hieroglyphics. Case in point, a revealing Reddit post by u/brunofone, a Model Y owner no less, who rented a Model 3 for a quick business trip in Albuquerque. What should’ve been familiar territory quickly devolved into a UX disaster.
“After getting in the car, ALL the settings were jacked up. Screen on Light rather than auto, headlights on rather than auto, climate manual not auto… I had to fix almost every setting…
The ONLY reason I was able to navigate all this is because I own a Tesla and I know all this stuff. I cannot imagine any non-Tesla-owner being able to figure all this out and being happy with the experience.”
This wasn’t some disgruntled boomer shouting at a cloud. This was a devoted Tesla owner left wrangling with features and menus just to make the car drivable. The rental had no app access (thanks, Budget), the cabin overheat protection drained 10% of the battery while parked, and the vehicle itself felt worn and noisy despite having only 21,000 miles. But the real kicker? If a loyalist can barely operate the thing, what hope does a casual renter have?
Tesla UI Deep Dive: Design vs. Functional Usability
- Tesla's UI is characterized by a sleek, minimalist design that eliminates most physical buttons, consolidating controls into a central touchscreen. This approach allows for over-the-air updates and a clean aesthetic. However, it can require drivers to navigate through multiple menus for basic functions, potentially increasing distraction.
- The high-resolution touchscreen is responsive and intuitive, with well-organized menus that make it easy to locate functions. Nevertheless, some controls are positioned far from the driver's natural hand position, which may lead to longer interaction times and reduced peripheral awareness while driving.
- Tesla's UI design reflects a vision geared toward autonomous driving, emphasizing a software-centric approach that can adapt over time. While this forward-thinking design offers flexibility and innovation, it may not align with traditional driver expectations, potentially impacting immediate usability for some users.
Reddit users responded with the kind of collective facepalm you'd expect. User u/engwish suggested the bleedingly obvious:
“This seems like something Tesla could address, no? For example, have a demo/rental mode for fleet operators to control settings like a policy or reset between rentals.”
And they’re right. A single over-the-air update, something Tesla already excels at, could deploy a
“Rental Mode”
That simplifies the UI, defaults the settings, and turns the Model 3 into something resembling a normal car. Instead, the burden is left on the driver to figure out why the AC is still blasting after they’ve exited the vehicle.
It’s not just a Reddit gripe session. The lack of approachability is damaging Tesla’s reputation in ways that data analysts won’t catch. Hertz, famously, began offloading part of its 100,000-unit Tesla fleet after consumer confusion and maintenance costs piled up. As u/OCR10 put it:
“There is a learning curve with Teslas since there are almost no physical buttons. So I understand why it’s not a logical choice for a rental car. Too bad they had to lose millions of dollars figuring this out.”
Ouch. That’s the sound of usability issues hitting the balance sheet.
Why Digital‑First Car Interfaces Are Alienating the Average Driver
And it’s not unique to Tesla. Jumping from a 2005 Civic to its 2025 counterpart can leave even seasoned drivers fumbling with haptic sliders and digital clusters. The climate controls are no longer tactile. The shift lever is gone. Start-stop systems and regen braking add new behaviors. You’re not just driving anymore, you’re interpreting the interface. Multiply that across every automaker chasing Tesla’s UI magic, and we’ve created a world where driving is less about motion and more about menu navigation.
We’ve entered an age where the casual driver, the Costco commuter, the airport rental customer, the curious first-timer are forgotten in the pursuit of design purity and tech-first branding. Tesla could solve much of this overnight. A simplified mode. A guided setup. A virtual assistant. Anything that bridges the gap between
“I own a Tesla.”
And
“I’m renting one for the weekend.”
But until they do, we’re left with the ironic truth of modern mobility: the cars are smarter, the software is better, and somehow, driving them has never been more confusing.
Image Sources: Tesla Media Center & r/TeslaLounge Subreddit
Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.
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Comments
If you can operate an Iphone…
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If you can operate an Iphone or a home computer you can operate a Tesla its no different than you driven a regular vehicle and be texting on your phone if you can accomplish that you can learn to drive and operate a Tesla.
You pointed out the main…
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You pointed out the main issue with Tesla, in the pursuit of cheapness they have convinced their religion, sorry owners, that a single screen is enough, and the problem is the rest of the world knows it isn't. The best cars are ones where yiu can hop in and intuitively know where things are, your hands fall on window switches, the stalks are finger reach away, seat adjustment is on the side, ac and heat vents are adjustable easily. Teslas are terrible in many ways, but the worst is convincing people a single screen is better...
I rented an older Tesla…
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I rented an older Tesla Model S from a private owner on Temu and found it a little confusing. The owner gave me a quick overview of the most important features, but that was it.
I enjoyed the acceleration and spent a fair amount of time during my rental period experiencing the rush when it was safe. The large frunk and rear storage compartment were impressive. The downsides were also obvious, primarily because the functionality was only accessible via the large central screen.
I have also test driven a new Model Y but grew tired of the very harsh ride and the central screen. The older Model S at least had a smaller screen in front of me that eliminated constant looking to my right to see everything.
And the local authorities…
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And the local authorities are worried about hand-held device usage as a distraction while driving. The irony...
You have got to be kidding…
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You have got to be kidding. After driving a Tesla for the first time, it only took another couple of drives to get most everything down. We now have two Teslas in the family and everybody can drive them without any problems. Everyone! Once the moment you understand the scheme, the rest becomes pretty darn easy. If you don't like it, don't buy it! Progress is tough, isn't it?
This is ridiculous. I own a…
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This is ridiculous and seems like a hit piece. I own a Tesla model 3 and the software is excellent and very intuitive. The great part though, is you don’t need to use it that much because the car just does most of it for you.
Honestly if you are confused by Tesla software you probably shouldn’t be allowed to hold a drivers license.
I also own three Tesla’s as…
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I also own three Tesla’s as well as several other electric vehicles. I use these in our small car rental business with Turo. In general, the guests I rent to have a five star experience. The car is always cleaned washed and delivered with a battery at 80-90%. The guest is given access to tutorials on YouTube about how to drive the car and use the software as soon as the rental is booked. With Tesla’s, they get access to the Tesla app and use that to get into the vehicle.
The biggest shortcoming with EV‘s in the rental space is that the range is just not that long. I give guests tips on how to charge the vehicle where they are staying if possible. Even plugging in to a wall outlet will extend range a lot if they do it every night. All of my cars come with a charging cable.
My recommendation; if you want to rent an electric vehicle, go through Turo, make sure the host has consistent excellent reviews from guests,, and I think you will have a good experience with renting a Tesla or other electric vehicle. If the host does not provide links to tutorials for the specific vehicle, look up explanations on YouTube. Generally, those are about 20 minutes long and can take you through all of the basics of a particular EV.
I have rented electric BMW’s, Mercedes’, Rivian’s and Tesla’s, through Turo, and except for the Mercedes, which was delivered with a 9% state of charge, I have not had any poor experiences. I rent electric vehicles from Tesla, Ford, Cadillac, Rivian, Volkswagen as well as plug-in, hybrids from Jeep and Mazda.
Not only rental cars but…
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Not only rental cars but also older owners. My mother purchased a Tesla model S as she was retiring to be her last car. When she first received it, everything was fine. She got used to the interface and knew how to do whatever she needed. What she didn't count on was the constant updates. What is fun and interesting for younger folks, and one of the coolest things for most people, the over the air updates, became a confusing mess for her. She just couldn't keep up with all the changes and she was actually quite tech savvy in her day. There should be a way to opt out of changes, especially those to the interface for older folks. Trying to track down where that button went is just too much for them.
We own two Teslas. Last year…
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We own two Teslas. Last year we rented a Tesla 3 from Hertz in Boston. It took us about 24 hours to realize that Hertz had programmed the damn car to avoid toll roads!!! In New England! That car took us over hill and dale and we almost ran out of charge because it was avoiding toll roads. We had to change it to allow toll roads each and every time we started it up. A neophyte would certainly not figure this out very easily. Hertz still collected any tolls we incurred. Very stupid move on Hertz’s part so no wonder their venture in EVs flopped.
Owned a Tesla Model X New…
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Owned a Tesla Model X New purchase 2018.. 100k+ miles only repair rear brakes.. easy to drive.. love it! I only rent Tesla when available.. the newer 3 and Y’s are even better.. I am in tech and a big outdoorsman, just test drove the new Land Cruiser and it fits my lifestyle but drives like the old ICE.. will wait for next gen.. Tesla is no brainer for A to B.. low to almost no maintenance.
I had a very bad experience…
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I had a very bad experience with a rental Tesla for some of the reasons you stated. I rented one to try it out, only to be completely stymied by how to start the stupid thing. The on screen graphics telling me where to touch the rental fob was worthless, it was only through shear dumb luck i got it started. Not knowing how to start it till a couple of days of dumb luck, including an episode where I opened the driver's door thinking it wasn't closed tight and then not being able to drive away when the light changed, and blasting horns adding to the frustration of using dumb luck. Then I locked the fob inside and had to call support.
I found the lack of clear sight lines inside the car very unnerving, having to rely on cameras whenever I changed lanes instead of glancing over my shoulder.
I finally had a passenger that had a Tesla and they helped me figure it out. But then I had to deal with the charging station and discovered the ones at the office didn't work without an adapter (after finally getting the charge port open}. I went to a Tesla station and had to wait inside the car for 20 minutes while it recharged instead of a quick gas stop.
I'll never own one after this experience. I'm sure I could eventually get used to it, but I found nothing about the car that made me think I just had to get one.
I don’t own a Tesla but I do…
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I don’t own a Tesla but I do own a Mercedes and have owned BMWs.These cars can do so much nowadays and some of the functions are not even used because they are buried behind menu after menu. A friend of mine bought a Nissan Infinity SUV. They had a class as to how to operate the functions and he still doesn’t use them all. Then there are 5 different ways to change one thing. Most cars nowadays come with a simple manual for the basics because if it added all of the functions in a book, it would be the size of a phone book, so they put the manual only. Give me a horse and buggy and I’m good.😁
I have a Chevy Bolt with…
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I have a Chevy Bolt with super cruise. It has all the manual controls of older cars and a big green button you can push to make it act like an ICE car. That's how my wife uses the car and the UI isn't needed.
This is a joke ? Easiest car…
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This is a joke ? Easiest car in the world to drive, in basic drive form. After that yes you can delve into a myriad of settings but to drive and go it's a two minute show.
Human nature is very…
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Human nature is very predictable and those that are aware, car use it to their advantage to benefit hugely from it. Companies like Tesla are not smart enough to do this and will fail miserably and loose billions of dollars in sales from their sheer stupidity. Whilst society forces change with frustrating technology changes that we have to adopt to with work and compliance, given the choice most people will avoid and won't buy something that is challenging and frustrating. Case in point, my son works for an IT company that deals remotely with customers that have IT problems. He is not highly qualified or the most experienced, however he is by far the most successful, with the most success in solving customer problems with best outcomes in the shortest time, and is in the highest demand of any employee. And why? Simply because he talks to each customers level of understanding, uses languaging each customer identifies with and tailors the solution best suited to the customer. Most computer systems are not designed by the average person and use languaging & system navigation that seems untenable to most. It's not rocket science. If a car company wants to sell more cars and encourage people to embrace and grow with technology, have systems that are designed by people that think like my son, and they will rule the world
Human nature is very…
Permalink
Human nature is very predictable and those that are aware, car use it to their advantage to benefit hugely from it. Companies like Tesla are not smart enough to do this and will fail miserably and loose billions of dollars in sales from their sheer stupidity. Whilst society forces change with frustrating technology changes that we have to adopt to with work and compliance, given the choice most people will avoid and won't buy something that is challenging and frustrating. Case in point, my son works for an IT company that deals remotely with customers that have IT problems. He is not highly qualified or the most experienced, however he is by far the most successful, with the most success in solving customer problems with best outcomes in the shortest time, and is in the highest demand of any employee. And why? Simply because he talks to each customers level of understanding, uses languaging each customer identifies with and tailors the solution best suited to the customer. Most computer systems are not designed by the average person and use languaging & system navigation that seems untenable to most. It's not rocket science. If a car company wants to sell more cars and encourage people to embrace and grow with technology, have systems that are designed by people that think like my son, and they will rule the world