Dometic Electronic Fridge Impressions?

Having replaced a 2310 dometic with the 2354 your asking about I can answer your question with first hand knowledge. The 2310 was in our 89 xplorer owned sinc new, and your right that the controls on the bottom are a pain. The model you currently have is in the same series and is identical in size. The 2354 still had the pizo (spark) ignitor for activating the gas option. And the controls are on top as you indicated. Much handier. Quite frankly we do not have any issues with it's operation. I did the exchange work myself and it was time consuming but straight forward. The color issue was ours as well but was resolved via the removal of the large door panel of the refridgerator. It's a formica panel inserted for desired color in our case it was woodgrain. Easily done. If the newer model being only in black then I think the metal trim might be black also but ours 2310 and the 2354 was with aluninum color trim. If Dometic is now painting the door black they probably left the narrow track that held the formica in place. Then your panel would slip right in. YOU SHOULD UPGRADE if for no other reason than the unit is on very borrowed time as a 10 to 15 year life seems average. Ours failed while on the road and that was in 2005. It gave no warning accept an amonia smell when fridge door was opened. But then it was too late. If you decide to DIY on the exchange I'd be glad to explain the procedure as we have same body style motorhome.