After years of pursuing minimalist, touch-focused interiors, Volkswagen is acknowledging what many drivers have long suspected: less isn’t always more. In a move that marks a major pivot in its design philosophy, the German automaker is preparing to bring back traditional physical controls to its vehicle dashboards—a reversal of the touchscreen-centric trend that has drawn criticism from customers and reviewers alike.
Like many manufacturers, Volkswagen embraced minimalism at the turn of the last decade, streamlining vehicle cabins with sleek capacitive surfaces and central touch displays. But the transition wasn’t always smooth. One particularly controversial feature—VW’s unlit, touch-sensitive climate control slider—came to symbolize the frustration many drivers felt navigating basic functions without tactile feedback.
Now, the company appears ready to course-correct. Kai Grünitz, Volkswagen’s head of technical development, recently told Autocar that future updates to the ID.3 and ID.4 electric models will introduce redesigned interiors, prominently featuring traditional switches. This evolution follows the design cues previewed in the ID.2all concept, which hinted at a return to functionality over form.
“We want to correct the mistakes of the past,” Grünitz said, indicating a clear shift in strategy.
Volkswagen’s design chief, Andreas Mindt, has also been vocal about the new direction. In a candid admission of past missteps, Mindt declared, “We will never, ever make that mistake again. We’ll have physical buttons on the steering wheel. No more guessing. There’s feedback, it’s real, and people love it. Honestly, it’s a car. It’s not a phone.”
Starting with the ID.2all, all new Volkswagen models will feature physical buttons for five key functions: volume, dual-zone heating, fan speed, and indicator lights. These controls will be conveniently located beneath the central screen—an intentional balance between digital sophistication and user-friendly design.
An insider source confirmed to Autocar that the rotary volume control, another fan favorite, is set to return in upcoming models. The source also acknowledged the company’s earlier departure from physical controls as a misstep: “When you develop something that works and works for years, there’s no reason to replace it.”
Though the digital-first interiors were primarily rolled out in VW’s electric lineup, industry watchers expect the brand’s internal combustion engine vehicles to follow suit. The upcoming T-Roc, for example, will reportedly ditch the touch sliders of its predecessor in favor of more traditional interfaces.
Still, enthusiasts hoping for a full revival of the much-praised Mk7 Golf layout may need to temper expectations. Volkswagen is unlikely to fully abandon touch interfaces, but the tide has clearly turned toward a more balanced approach.
The revised Golf 8.5 already signals this new direction, and fans are hopeful the shift will extend across the Volkswagen Group, influencing sister brands like Skoda, Audi, and SEAT.
In the end, the message from Wolfsburg is clear: user experience matters—and sometimes, the best innovation is a well-placed button.
Source: Volkswagen
