Volkswagen is planning a return to physical buttons in its future cars over haptic sliders and touchscreen toggles for vital functions. The automaker’s design chief Andreas Mindt didn’t mince words about the company’s previous interface choices, stating they “will never, ever make this mistake again.”
This pivot comes after years of customer complaints about the usability of touch-based controls for essential vehicle functions like climate settings and volume adjustments. Starting with next year’s ID. 2all, VW will reintroduce physical controls for volume, heating, fan speed, and hazard light activation positioned below the touchscreen.
“Honestly, it’s a car. It’s not a phone,” Mindt emphasized, acknowledging the fundamental difference between stationary device interaction and operating controls while driving.
The automotive industry’s infatuation with touchscreens can be traced back to Tesla’s Model S, which debuted with an impressive central display over a decade ago. This sparked a trend that saw manufacturers racing to replace traditional buttons and knobs with sleek digital interfaces.
However, the transition hasn’t been smooth. Customers expressed frustration with the company’s software implementation, with one noting: “Touchscreen buttons only really work if you have good software, when you have shitty software like VW… I’m not surprised customers are complaining.”
The pendulum appears to be swinging back toward physical controls across the industry. Even Tesla has reintroduced certain physical elements (turn signal stalks) in newer Model Y vehicles and may bring back traditional controls in the next new Model 3.
Volkswagen’s return to physical buttons aligns with upcoming changes to European safety standards. The EU’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) will soon require cars to include certain physical controls to achieve a full five-star safety rating, recognizing the importance of tactile feedback while driving.
Not everyone sees this as forward-thinking, though. Some industry voices, including Rivian software chief Wassy Bensaid, maintain that in-car buttons are “an anomaly” destined to be replaced by voice controls and other digital interfaces. Another commenter suggested: “VW completely missing the point that cars will soon be autonomous… where physical buttons don’t make any sense.”
As Volkswagen plans its return to physical buttons, the debate continues about balancing innovation with usability. For now, it seems VW is putting the brakes on touch-only interfaces, proving that sometimes the best way to push forward is to reach back for what works.
Related Post
Volkswagen ID. EVERY1: The €20K EV That May Need a Range Reality Check
Volkswagen Electric-Vehicle Gambit: $5B Deal Sparks Rivian Stock Surge