It’s time for a big change in the auto industry, as Volkswagen has announced a move away from touchscreen-centric car controls and back to physical buttons — and the move is not just for looks, but with driving safety and utility in mind.

Volkswagen’s new direction: back to physical buttons
Leading German automaker Volkswagen is changing its design strategy and will be replacing physical buttons and switches with touchscreen controls in upcoming models. This will help the driver intuitively control essential functions like volume, air conditioning, fan speed and hazard lights, without having to get lost in on-screen menus.

The company’s design chief Andreas Mindt said that from now on every car will have physical buttons for five main functions — because it’s not just a show, but part of the actual vehicle control experience.

Impact of safety standards
Recently Euro NCAP (European Car Safety Standards) has stated that to get a 5-star safety rating, cars need to have physical buttons, stocks or switches on some basic controls and not just on screen menus. This will help the driver regain control without taking his eyes off the road.

The goal of this change is to reduce driver distraction, as navigating multiple levels of menus on a touchscreen can be slow and distracting. Physical buttons for such controls are considered safer and more intuitive.

Not the end of the touchscreen, but the balance
This change doesn’t signal the end of touchscreens — touchscreens are still here to stay, especially for navigation, infotainment, and some tech features. But now, physical buttons will be preferred for essential and frequently used controls, to make the driving experience safer.

First model and further plans
This transformation from Volkswagen will start with upcoming electric models like the ID.2all, which is expected to launch in 2026. This design change can be seen extensively in other models in the coming time.

conclusion
This decision by Volkswagen is not just a design trend but a practical change based on driver experience and safety. This will provide a better balance of touchscreens and physical controls in car interfaces — and make driving more intuitive, safer and user-friendly.