Now, I have to ask. I've never really liked that. I'm so accustomed to the speedo being right behind the steering wheel that it's difficult for me to look over to the center of the dash to check my speed.

So, for those xA owners out there(or any other brand/model with this feature), how long did it take you to get used to it? Do you like it as much as before, or do you still prefer the old way of doing things, but just put up with this new way because it's a good car?

At this stage in the game, it's one of the biggest things stopping me from knowing 100% for sure that I want an xA. I honestly don't know if I can get used to it.

???

 

Its the same on an xB. It took me almost no time to adjust. Your eye is naturally there looking at the road. Even on the test drive, it didn't bother me. I like it better in the center of the dash.

 

It took a little while in the Echo. mainly the occasional "Oh Crapzors, the dash lights went out... Oh wait, never mind" It's just a habit to look behind the wheel because that's how you were trained. the center dash location is actually more ergonomic - requires less head turning motion to view - and safety - less time when your eyes aren't on the road.

You'll get used to it in no time at all...

 

I adjusted almost immediately. They painted the faces of the speedo and tach different colors. This makes it easy for the eye to quickly locate what you are looking for. The part I like best is night driving. With a primarily black dash in front of you, it is very easy on the eyes.

 

I've loved it ever since my Echo. It was one of the main reasons I got the xA. It's too bad that the tC didn't come that way I woulda gotten one of them

 

i like it not bein right behind the steering wheel...it took almost no time to adjust to it...i think it makes it easier to see at night because you dont have light shinin right up at you

 

what I just noticed this
I got used to it on the way out of the scion lot.................

 

As a former XB owner - I always took it as part of the vehicle style. Once around the block and I was use to it.

I will say it was more natural to look behind the wheel for the gages in my Mazda van. Almost like a driving gene that's been passed down from generation to generation that makes it slightly more comfortable to look through the wheel.

Cumbersome? Irritating? not at all. Just different. But when I would go back to standard gage placement, I would feel just a tad more relaxed.

 

Well, I've been driving for 44 years and am very used to having the speedo behind the wheel.

How long did it take me to get used to the top-center of the dash location of the speedo in my xB? About the first half of my 4 mile test drive...

Let's put it this way, if moving the speedo to the right and up from where you are used to seeing one is something so disturbing you can't get used to it, you lack the attention span needed to drive safely - take a bus...

Trust us, having slight layout changes in the cockpit happens every time one moves from one car to another, and is even more noticible if one is used to piloting small planes - every one seems to have a totally different layout - nothing is common.

It actually does worry me that there are folks out there driving who can't handle minor control and instrumentation changes. How can they possibly handle the constant changes in what's happening outside their vehicle?

A decent, competent driver should have no problem at all with the different position of the speedo - even my 79 year old mum can find it...

Take care, all,
Tom

 

It took me like 5 minutes.

 

I adjusted almost immediately. Putting the speedo in the middle leaves lots of room for the "bookshelf" in front of the steering wheel. The first drive at night was a bit strange with no illumination in front of the wheel, but that was a quick adaptation too.

Think of those folks with old Jeeps that have the speedo on the panel ahead of the stick shift!

George

 

Anyone bothered by the xA and xB speedometer would have had fits if he tried to drive an old CJ Jeep. To use that speedometer really took the eyes off the road.

 

took me about a day or two i love it makes the dash look less cluttered and clean looking

 

The centered dash is very convienient because now I can tape driving directions infront of the wheel.

Am I the only one that does this?

 

First car I drove was a Mini (1967 Cooper s). Speedo in center of dash.
Not so tough to adjust to...who looks at the speedo, anyway?

 

maybe, but it is a really good idea nonetheless

It's really easy to get use to the center speedo, and in my opinion works so much better there since you can notice things faster like a check engine light, parking brake, and other notices.

 

I was kind of worried about it at first, but after the first day it just seemed natural.

Now I just have to get low to how long the rearview mirror hangs. I'm only 5'10", but sometimes I find myself trying to move my head a bit to see around it.

 

However, The center dash speedometer allows right seat passengers to see the speed. With some passenger side drivers this is a problem. Also nervous passengers might need blinders.

 

lol yeah it's funny when the rear seaters actually KNOW what speed yer going versus just guessing sometimes u get hoorays and sometimes u get sneers or an occasional scream or slap on the back of the head.

 

The center speedo bothered me a lot until I actually got in the xA. It didn't take any time to adjust though. It was fine from the get go. It took me longer to adjust to the windshield wiper controls and light switch. Come on Toyota, for windshield wipers, up means on, not down! And the pull and twist light switch you find on american cars is by far the best method.

Actually, the center speedo is nice because the speedo is never blocked. In my wife's Integra, I have to scrunch to see how fast I'm going. My dad's Lexus wheel blocks the clock. I'm fine with it.