I've never been a playlist kind of guy, at home or on the road. I like to listen to the entire album or CD. Putting a playlist together beforehand would be a good idea to avoid fumbling with a phone, but that takes time also. I don't drive much or very far most of the time. A CD or two is all I need. Sometimes a CD will last me a few days before it plays all the way through.
Fortunately, my phone is hands free in the car thanks to Bluetooth. I can call using voice command and when the phone rings, the stereo mutes until I hang up.
My new car has audio controls on the steering wheel, but I forget to use them because I've never had them before. I still find myself reaching for the voulme control on the deck instead of the steering wheel. Old habits are hard to break.