A LOT of the over-complication of modern vehicles is the result of federal legislation rather than the desire of auto makers. The legislation is shortsighted, i.e. looking only at the results of emissions testing under very specific conditions and not on the complexity, cost, and maintainability of a vehicle over its life.
A few of good examples are auto start/stop, heated thermostats, and smart alternators.
Having the engine turn off when sitting at a light sounds like a good idea, on paper. In reality it adds cost and complexity in control systems, batteries and starters. The system as a whole is less efficient.
Some vehicles now come with an electrically heated thermostat controlled by the ECM. As the engine warms up the thermostat is heated to allow a small amount of coolant through which reduces the temperature swing the engine sees (hot-cool-hot) the first time a standard thermostat opens. Again adding a lot of complexity and parts cost to improve emissions minutely for a few minutes after start up.
'Smart' alternators are PCM controlled so they can be turned off at idle to reduce engine load and improve emissions under very particular conditions. These systems are harder to diagnose when they go wrong and more expensive to manufacture and repair.
You add in all the overly integrated 'infotainment' nonsense, like a cell phone interface so you can start your car with your phone (when it breaks your cart is a beached whale), and you have a whole system that is fragile, over-complicated and overly difficult to repair. (Personally I have no desire to have a touch screen for anything in the middle of my dash, and I'm an electronics/computer guy from way back.)
