Car makers are reintroducing physical controls for drivers

Volkswagen plans to reintroduce physical buttons in its cars starting in 2026, responding to customer feedback against touchscreen controls. This marks a shift from their previous focus on touchscreen-operated systems, which many drivers found confusing and distracting. Other brands, including MG and Hyundai, are also moving back to analogue controls. MG has maintained physical buttons alongside touchscreens, while Hyundai has added more buttons in newer models after customer feedback indicated dissatisfaction with touchscreen-only systems. A survey revealed that 89% of British drivers prefer physical buttons over touchscreens. Concerns about touchscreen distractions have led to calls for safety ratings to reflect the presence of physical controls in vehicles starting in 2026.