Remember when car companies thought touchscreens were the future? Turns out, they might have overestimated how much people actually want to tap their way through menus just to turn up the AC. Volkswagen has officially hit the brakes on the all-touch everything trend, bringing back good old-fashioned buttons and knobs for essential controls in its upcoming models.
Back to Basics—Because Cars Aren’t iPhones
Starting with the ID 2all, set to launch in 2026, VW is reintroducing physical buttons for volume, climate control, and even the hazard lights. Why? Because, in the words of VW’s design chief Andreas Mindt, “We will never, ever make this mistake any more… Honestly, it’s a car. It’s not a phone.”
And he’s got a point. While touchscreens look sleek and futuristic, they’re not always practical when you’re driving. A recent J.D. Power study found that many car owners think passenger-side displays are unnecessary and often complain about how frustrating they are to use.
The Tesla Effect—And Why It’s Not Working for Everyone
Let’s be real—this whole touchscreen takeover started with Tesla. Back in 2012, the Model X rolled out with its giant infotainment center, and suddenly, every automaker wanted in. Even former President Donald Trump jumped on the hype train, recently praising Tesla’s tech-heavy interior while sitting inside one at the White House.
But here’s the problem: while ditching buttons makes manufacturing cheaper, it makes driving harder. A Swedish study by Vi Bilägare found that drivers in a 17-year-old Volvo (with real buttons) could adjust settings like defrost, radio, and climate way faster than those in brand-new cars with touchscreens. Why? Because with buttons, you can adjust things by feel—no need to take your eyes off the road.
VW’s New Approach—A Mix of Tech and Common Sense
Volkswagen isn’t getting rid of touchscreens entirely, but it’s making its controls way more user-friendly. In promo materials for the ID 2all, VW highlights its new illuminated air-conditioning buttons and a handy thumbwheel for volume—simple, intuitive, and easy to use while driving.
So, is this the beginning of a bigger shift back to analog controls? That’s still up in the air. But one thing’s clear: VW is listening to drivers, and drivers are over the touchscreen struggle.
