I have one in my car and it's not distracting. It basically displays the current speed, the speed limit, the current cruise control state, the current gear (PRND), and the current navigation instruction (eg. turn left in 1.5 miles).

It doesn't display notifications or other distractions, nor is it possible to configure it to do so.

It's not flickering when viewed in person, but when filmed with a phone camera they do flicker due to how the display works.

It's a pretty good system, and allows one to keep their eyes on the road without having to look at other screens, and keeping ones eyes focused on far objects.