Maybe I'm missing something but the new MBUX is less configurable than before.

The old dashboard was split into 3 areas that you could configure. Now there are just a few presets that you can choose from and only one part of the screen can be customized.
I can't for example show my tire pressures at the same time as the map.

And its the same with the HUD. There are just some preset views whereas before you could configure each section independently. And there isn't an option to show the song or phone status anymore.

What happened? This is very disappointing.

Mercedes probably had some focus groups and determined that its primary demographic were older women (if the Savage Geese review is to be believed) that probably preferred things to be simplified.
Folks on these forums are undoubtedly "power users" and don't make up the core demographic.

Before we rush into more judgment, give MBUX a couple more weeks so that you can figure out the nuances of what you can and cannot do.
Magazine reviews have claimed that MBUX 2.0 is supposed to be even better. Hopefully others can chime in as well.

I think I had a taste of MBUX 2.0 in the loaner '23 GLC from last week but it was merely hours that I had the car! I wasn't too thrilled by the lack of buttons and sorely missed the preset buttons on my X3!

That's what I thought too. I can't think of any other explanation.

I agree that the loss of several options for the center panel on the driver's instrumentation display is retrograde for the 2024 model year. I also displayed tire pressure on my 2020 GLS in the center panel, but it is not available with MBUX NTG7. Also, I much preferred the 2020 version of the "sport" theme for the instrumentation display over the new one.

MBUX is a dead end. They're moving to MB.OS. In the continuing fight between OEM dashboards and Apple CarPlay, it'll be interesting to see whether that has a future either.

MB simplified MBUX and especially the guages moving to ntg7 because too many people complained of over complication. Makes me extremely disapointed.

Well, OP, I mean, if you don't like MBUX, you might like MB. OS or still don't like it especially if you don't like AI or screens. Some people (journalist) was unfortunately complaining about the previous one having too many options and gets overwhelming, I wonder if MB took that as feedback, MBUX 2.0 indeed is less customizable than the first iteration.

If they are making it less customizable or arguably less complicated so older generation/folks are able to use it easier, I think they might also be at the same time doing the opposite of such intention ie. the many screens and capacitive touch in the newer cars. I honestly don't know what MB is really trying to do nowadays.