Recently, while my Volkswagen Golf Alltrack was in for routine maintenance, I experienced something that sparked a deeper look into Volkswagen’s design choices, specifically concerning their instrument panels. The dealership kindly provided a loaner car – a brand new Atlas, their largest SUV. This was timely, given the rising concerns about fuel costs, and fuel efficiency was definitely on my mind.
Upon receiving the keys, the service advisor mentioned, “We’re now charging for fuel used in loaner cars. Last year, fuel costs for loaners hit $300,000.” He explained they’d use the odometer and GPS to calculate fuel consumption. An unusual policy, but understandable with rising operational costs. He also added, “Don’t worry about filling it up if it’s empty; we’ll handle it, it’s actually cheaper for you.” Slightly skeptical, I drove off in the Atlas.
It wasn’t long before a glance at the fuel gauge raised an immediate concern.
Almost empty right off the lot? This seemed off, especially after the fuel cost conversation. I called the service advisor. “Hey, just a heads up, the fuel gauge looks almost empty,” I said.
“No, it shouldn’t be,” was the reply.
“I’m looking at it; it’s practically on ‘E’,” I reiterated.
“Well, it should be at least a quarter full,” he stated, “Go ahead and fill it if you need to, and we can sort it out when you return.”
At the next traffic light, I took a more deliberate look at the gauge.
With a moment to properly examine it, I realized it was indeed at the 1/4 mark. The initial impression, however, was drastically misleading. What caused this misread? The prominent red ‘E’ and the arrow immediately beside it grabbed my attention.
In automotive design, that arrow is universally understood to indicate the fuel filler side – a helpful feature pioneered by Ford in 1986. However, on a vertical gauge, our visual processing defaults to interpreting such arrows as indicators against tick marks, much like a thermometer. This is precisely how my brain initially processed it, leading to the false “empty” reading.
Taking another moment at the red light, I finally discerned the subtle white bars on the side of the gauge.
These understated white bars, unfortunately positioned right next to the similarly white vertical trim, are actually the intended fuel level indicators. They were completely missed during my first, quick glance.
This experience highlights a significant issue: a design that prioritizes minimalism to the detriment of legibility, especially for crucial information like fuel level. In contrast, the fuel gauge in my Golf Alltrack uses a traditional dial with a clear red needle.
This analog style gauge provides immediate, unambiguous fuel level information. It’s significantly easier to quickly and accurately assess how much fuel is remaining.
Is it just me, or is the Atlas gauge a step backward in user-friendly design for Volkswagen Gauges? Would you, at a glance, correctly interpret the Atlas fuel gauge as being 1/4 full? For drivers relying on quick, intuitive readings from their Volkswagen gauges, especially vital ones like fuel and speed, clarity should surely outweigh extreme minimalism. This raises questions about Volkswagen’s current design direction for their instrument panels and whether form is overshadowing essential function.
