Volkswagen is bringing back physical buttons

In a significant shift in its design approach, Volkswagen has announced plans to reintroduce physical buttons in its future vehicles. This move marks a departure from the trend of relying heavily on touchscreens for car controls, a change driven by customer feedback and safety concerns.

The decision comes after widespread complaints about the usability and safety of touchscreen-dominated interfaces. Volkswagen’s design chief, Andreas Mindt, confirmed that the company will bring back physical buttons for key functions in its upcoming models, starting with the all-electric ID.2, set to launch in 2026.

According to Mindt, the five essential functions that will feature physical buttons include volume control, dual-zone heating controls, fan controls, and hazard lights. These buttons will be strategically placed below the infotainment screen for easy access, ensuring minimal distraction while driving.

Mindt emphasized the importance of this change, stating, “We will never, ever make this mistake anymore.” He highlighted that cars are fundamentally different from smartphones, requiring more tactile feedback for safe operation. This acknowledgment reflects a broader recognition within the automotive industry that touchscreens alone may not be the optimal solution for in-car controls.

Volkswagen’s reversal of its previous strategy, which had followed industry trends by replacing physical controls with touch-sensitive surfaces, signals a growing awareness of the limitations of touchscreen-heavy interfaces. While touchscreens will still be present in future vehicles—partly due to legal requirements such as displaying backup camera feeds—the most frequently used functions will now have dedicated physical controls.

This shift aligns with a broader industry trend, as other automakers like Honda and Mazda have also begun reintroducing physical controls in response to similar customer feedback. The move underscores the ongoing challenge for car manufacturers to balance modern technology integration with user-friendly and safe interfaces in vehicle design.

A Broader Industry Shift Toward Practicality

Volkswagen’s decision to reintroduce physical buttons is part of a larger movement within the automotive industry to prioritize functionality and safety over aesthetic minimalism. While touchscreens have been a hallmark of modern car design, the practical drawbacks have become increasingly evident to both manufacturers and consumers.

Andreas Mindt, Volkswagen’s design chief, has been vocal about the lessons learned from the over-reliance on touchscreens. “Cars are not smartphones,” he said, emphasizing the need for tactile feedback in driving environments. This sentiment is echoed by other industry leaders, who are now reevaluating the role of technology in vehicle design.

The ID.2, Volkswagen’s upcoming all-electric model, will be the first to feature this new design philosophy. However, the shift toward physical controls will not stop there. The company has confirmed that all future models will incorporate this approach, ensuring consistency across its lineup. This decision reflects a commitment to addressing customer concerns and improving overall user experience.

While touchscreens will still be present in Volkswagen’s vehicles, their role will be more limited. For instance, they will be used for functions like navigation, infotainment, and legal requirements such as backup camera displays. However, the most frequently used controls—like volume, heating, and hazard lights—will have dedicated physical buttons, reducing the need for drivers to take their eyes off the road.

This change in strategy is not unique to Volkswagen. Other automakers, such as Honda and Mazda, have also begun to reintroduce physical controls in their vehicles. Mazda, for example, has incorporated physical knobs and buttons for functions like climate control and volume in recent models, citing similar concerns about usability and safety. Honda has also taken steps to balance touchscreen functionality with physical controls, particularly in its newer electric vehicles.

This industry-wide shift highlights the evolving understanding of how drivers interact with their vehicles. While modern technology offers numerous advantages, it must be integrated thoughtfully to ensure it enhances, rather than hinders, the driving experience. For Volkswagen and its competitors, the focus is now on creating interfaces that are both technologically advanced and intuitively user-friendly.