In recent years, automakers have increasingly replaced traditional physical buttons with touch-sensitive controls, integrating essential functions like climate control, volume adjustment, and hazard lights into infotainment screens. This shift was aimed at creating sleeker, more minimalist interiors, but it often led to frustration among drivers, as adjusting key settings required navigating through menus rather than using tactile buttons. Volkswagen was among the brands that relocated key controls to touchscreens, following a trend seen in models like the Golf, ID.4, and ID.5, where climate and volume sliders were embedded within the infotainment system. However, customer feedback and safety concerns have prompted the German automaker to return to physical controls for a more user-friendly approach.
A shift in design philosophy
Volkswagen has confirmed that it will bring back physical buttons in its future vehicles, moving away from touch-sensitive controls that have drawn widespread criticism from customers and media. The decision marks a significant shift in the brand’s interior design philosophy, with VW’s Head of Design, Andreas Mindt, stating in an interaction with Autocar UK that the company has learned from past mistakes.
In recent years, automakers have increasingly replaced traditional physical buttons with touch-sensitive controls, integrating essential functions like climate control, volume adjustment, and hazard lights into infotainment screens. This shift was aimed at creating sleeker, more minimalist interiors, but it often led to frustration among drivers, as adjusting key settings required navigating through menus rather than using tactile buttons that could be accessed without taking your eyes off the road.
Volkswagen was among the brands that relocated key controls to touchscreens, following a trend seen in models like the Golf, ID.4, and ID.5, where climate and volume sliders were embedded within the infotainment system. However, customer feedback and safety concerns have prompted the German automaker to return to physical controls for a more user-friendly approach.
“No guessing any more. There’s feedback; it’s real, and people love this. Honestly, it’s a car. It’s not a phone: it’s a car,” Mindt added.
What to expect in future Volkswagen models?
The reintroduction of buttons will begin with the upcoming ID.2 small electric car, where five essential functions—volume, climate control for both driver and passenger, fan speed, and hazard lights—will be controlled via physical buttons positioned below the infotainment screen.
“We will have physical buttons for the five most important functions… They will be in every car that we make from now on. We understood this. We will never, ever make this mistake any more,” Mindt told Autocar.
Volkswagen’s steering wheels will also see a redesign, moving away from touch-sensitive buttons in favour of traditional tactile controls to improve usability and driver confidence.
Volkswagen’s updated infotainment system
The first cars to debut Volkswagen’s revised philosophy for the central console will be the upcoming ID.4 and ID.5 electric models, set to arrive in Australia soon. These will still feature touch-sensitive controls for climate and volume adjustments but will incorporate refinements based on customer feedback. Future models, however, will fully embrace the return of physical controls.
Volkswagen’s decision highlights a broader industry movement towards balancing modern technology with practical, user-friendly interfaces, ensuring that essential functions remain intuitive and safe to use.
Industry backing for physical controls
The decision comes amid growing safety concerns over touch-based controls as well, with the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and Euro NCAP pushing for manufacturers to prioritise physical buttons for critical vehicle functions.
“In line with our next planned step-change in protocols being introduced from 2026, ANCAP will discourage manufacturers from locating key vehicle controls such as indicators, hazard lights, horn and windscreen wipers within touch screens,” said ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg. While perhaps unintentional, it certainly seems like this comment is also a nod to American EV-brand Tesla whose cars keep moving more and more controls to the large central touchscreen.
“Manufacturers will be awarded points for the prioritisation of physical controls,” she added, reinforcing the push for safety-driven design.
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