Safari 15 Odd tab behaviour

I just updated MacOS Big Sur and it updated to Safari 15. The new tab behaviour has me confused. Now that the tab/address bar/search bar are all one thing I now have to create the tab then click the tab so I can search. Previously I created the tab(either command+T or clicking the new tab icon) and the address bar/search bar was selected automatically. Additionally, I use to be able to command+L to highlight the search bar. I feel like this is a step backwards in usability. Is this the way it works for you all too? Am I missing something?