Which cars have gear shifts located next to the steering wheel?
2 Answers
Cars with gear shifts located next to the steering wheel generally fall into two categories: 1. Paddle shifters; 2. Column-mounted gear shifts. Paddle shifters are small levers located on either side of the steering wheel, typically with the right paddle for upshifting and the left for downshifting. Column-mounted gear shifts are usually positioned on the right rear side of the steering wheel in the form of a lever, with representative models including Mercedes-Benz and Tesla. For example, the Buick GL8 is a vehicle with its gear shift located next to the steering wheel. It is a mid-to-high-end MPV that serves both business and family purposes. The vehicle dimensions are 5238mm in length, 1878mm in width, and 1776mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3088mm.
Last time I drove my friend's Mercedes-Benz C-Class, I discovered the gear shift lever hidden behind the steering wheel, commonly known as the column shifter. This design is now used in many cars, especially electric vehicles. For example, the Tesla Model S integrates the column shifter on the right side of the steering wheel, allowing gear changes without taking hands off the wheel; the Li ONE has a similar design. I've observed that Mercedes-Benz owners, especially older drivers, particularly love using column shifters. When shifting gears, their hands stay around the steering wheel, eliminating the need to look down for the gear lever. Switching from D to N at traffic lights feels especially convenient. However, those accustomed to floor-mounted shifters might need some time to adjust.
