[REVISION HISTORY]

Car makers restore physical buttons

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-02 23:35 UTC → 2026-08-04 16:02 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In early July ~~2026,~~ 2026 Audi announced plans to bring back tactile buttons in its next‑generation vehicle interiors, signaling a shift away from the industry‑wide push for large touch‑screen displays. By the end of the month, Mercedes‑Benz CEO Ola Källenius echoed the sentiment, stating that the touchscreen trend had been taken too far. Mercedes will retain its expansive MBUX Hyperscreen but will re‑introduce practical physical controls, especially on the steering wheel, to improve driver usability and reduce distraction. Källenius noted that rivals such as Volkswagen are making similar moves, reflecting growing consumer concern over overly digital car interfaces. On 31 July, Källenius reiterated that the user interface must be simple enough for a child or a board member to operate and highlighted ongoing work on better voice‑control systems. He confirmed that Mercedes will add sensible physical buttons, particularly on the steering wheel, while keeping the large‑screen concept. Two days ~~later,~~ later he announced a hybrid interior layout: the MBUX Hyperscreen and Superscreen will remain, but tactile switches will return to key functions. He cited similar reversals at Ferrari, Volkswagen and Hyundai, underscoring an industry‑wide reassessment of over‑digitization. On 2 August, Källenius said the industry had gone “too far” by removing physical controls. Mercedes‑Benz will re‑introduce dedicated buttons for frequently used functions such as volume and climate control, while preserving the large‑screen MBUX displays. The move follows customer feedback and Euro NCAP’s encouragement to retain tactile controls that reduce driver distraction, aiming for a blend of high‑tech personalization and intuitive, glance‑free operation.

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