Comfort and Convenience
A closed cabin suits a chat on the way to a restaurant, yet another occupant may want a window open for fresh air on the same short trip.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Time spent finding the hazard switch and mirror controls on the drive, before an airport run, means those layouts are already known once the journey starts.
Multimedia and Connectivity
After work, a passenger may want a playlist at a modest volume. Charging the phone, if a socket is present, remains a separate task from that listening.