In response to widespread criticism and customer feedback, Volkswagen (VW) has decided to reintroduce physical buttons in all of its new car models.
If some love the transition to “all digital”, this is obviously not the case for all drivers, used to their precious physical buttons. VW CEO Thomas Schäfer himself acknowledged the negative impact of frustrating touchscreen controls on the driving experience.
VW interior designer Darius Watola then revealed that the brand once again emphasized physical buttons, citing the recently unveiled ID.2All concept as a showcase of this new approach. Watola emphasized that this concept, which features touch controls for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and window opening, will serve as the basis for all future models.
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Volkswagen will continue to use physical buttons in its cars
Touchscreens will still be present in VW cars, but the focus will now be on integrating physical controls for essential functions. The center console will accommodate switches that will allow users to operate various controls without having to delve into the complex menus of the infotainment screens.
The move away from touch sliders therefore addresses concerns expressed by customers about the finicky and unreliable nature of touch controls, particularly on models such as the Golf Mk8 and ID.4. The orders were also criticized for their difficulty operating in the dark due to lack of backlight.
The ID.2All concept, which incorporates this revised design philosophy, moves away from the overly sleek, buttonless interiors found in recent VW models. While maintaining a modern and minimalist aesthetic, the concept recognizes the practicality and user-friendliness of physical buttonsand it is now on this basis that future Volkswagen cars will be designed.
The decision to reinstate physical buttons will therefore be welcomed by VW enthusiasts and critics alike, as these controls are known for their simplicity and reliability, even if they make the vehicles’ cabins less modern.