Hyundai Electronic Shifter Confusion Goes Viral After Rental Car Incident

The Hyundai electronic shifter has become the center of an online debate after a woman’s frustrating rental car experience went viral on social media. What was supposed to be a quick Whataburger stop turned into a stressful situation when she couldn’t figure out how to put her Hyundai rental car into park.

Renting an unfamiliar vehicle can be humbling. Drivers often spend extra time locating basic controls, adjusting to different pedals, or learning new dashboard layouts. But when a core function like parking the car isn’t immediately clear, the experience quickly shifts from mildly annoying to genuinely alarming.

Hyundai Electronic Shifter Leaves Rental Driver Confused

In a trending TikTok video, Jessi (@heyjessi) documented her confusion after renting a brand-new Hyundai for a Christmas trip home. She chose to rent instead of driving her own car to avoid adding unnecessary mileage.

That plan quickly backfired.

“Has anyone driven a brand-new Hyundai recently? I have questions. Specifically, what the hell is this?” Jessi says in the clip while pointing to the steering-wheel-mounted gear selector.

Unlike traditional automatic transmissions, this Hyundai model uses an electronic shifter located on the steering column, a design that immediately caught her off guard.

How the Hyundai Electronic Shifter Works

Jessi explains that the Hyundai electronic shifter doesn’t behave the way most drivers expect:

• Push the lever up to enter drive

• Push the lever down to shift into reverse

• Return the lever to the center, which places the car in neutral, not park

That last detail is where the confusion began.

“When you put it back in the middle, it goes into neutral. Not park. Neutral,” she explains.

For drivers accustomed to a clearly labeled “P” position, this design feels unintuitive—especially in a rental car where there’s little time to study the manual.

Hyundai Electronic Shifter Won’t Park Automatically

To make matters worse, the vehicle doesn’t automatically switch into park when the shifter is centered. Instead, a message appears on the dashboard instructing the driver to “press and hold” a button to remain in neutral.

“I don’t want to be neutral at all. I want to be in park,” Jessi says.

She assumed the car would recognize that she was attempting to park. Instead, when she lifted her foot off the brake, the car continued to roll forward.

“The car just keeps moving,” she explains. “It’s not until you hit the start-stop button again that it’s like, ‘Oh, entering parking mode.’”

Why This Hyundai Electronic Shifter Design Matters

The issue wasn’t just confusing—it directly affected her ability to use the car comfortably. Jessi wanted to leave the engine running with the air conditioning on while she ate inside the vehicle, something many drivers do regularly.

“I just wanted to have the car on with A/C while I ate my Whataburger,” she wrote in the caption. “But I guess that was too much to ask?”

Because the Hyundai electronic shifter requires turning off the engine to reliably enter park, that simple task became impossible.

Internet Reacts to Hyundai Electronic Shifter Confusion

The video quickly gained traction, with thousands of viewers weighing in. Some commenters defended Hyundai, saying electronic shifters are becoming standard and improve safety by preventing rollaway accidents. Others argued that the system is poorly designed—especially for rental car users.

Many pointed out that rental vehicles should prioritize intuitive controls, since drivers often have no prior experience with the model.

According to Hyundai’s official owner documentation, many vehicles automatically shift into park when the engine is turned off as a safety feature.

While effective from a safety standpoint, critics argue this design removes a driver’s sense of control.

Why Rental Car Drivers Struggle With Hyundai Electronic Shifters

Electronic shifters remove mechanical linkages in favor of software-based controls. While this allows for sleeker interiors and added safety features, it also removes familiar visual and tactile cues.

Traditional gear selectors clearly display P-R-N-D, allowing drivers to instantly confirm their gear. With the Hyundai electronic shifter, drivers must rely on dashboard messages and system logic—something that can feel overwhelming when you’re already stressed or in a hurry.

Automotive safety experts have noted that overly complex interfaces can increase driver confusion.

A Broader Trend in Modern Vehicle Design

The Hyundai electronic shifter controversy highlights a growing issue across the auto industry: innovation outpacing usability. Touchscreens, digital dashboards, and electronic controls are becoming standard, but not all drivers adapt easily—especially those encountering the technology for the first time.

For everyday owners, learning these systems may take a few days. For rental car drivers, there’s often no learning curve at all.

Is the Hyundai Electronic Shifter the Future?

Despite the backlash, electronic shifters are unlikely to disappear. Automakers favor them for their safety benefits, space efficiency, and compatibility with driver-assistance systems.

Still, Jessi’s viral moment serves as a reminder that good design should feel obvious, not instructional.

As cars become smarter, manufacturers may need to strike a better balance between safety, innovation, and user experience—especially for drivers who just want to park, turn on the A/C, and enjoy their burger.