Volkswagen had to learn from its own missteps. Infotainment sensors with a questionable menu structure failed to win over customers or testers, forcing the Wolfsburg team to pull back and rethink. Engineers are now gradually introducing refined control concepts across new models, and this shift brings back regular physical buttons into the cockpit to restore tactile reassurance for motorists.
Hyundai appears determined to avoid a similar reset. The brand will continue to rely on traditional switches, knobs, and tactile controls for the near future. The decision to keep these physical controls in the latest Kona generation — especially for the climate control and audio systems — reflects a deliberate choice aimed at preserving intuitive operation for drivers.
For many drivers, the security-related functions should remain button-based. In busy driving conditions, operating a touchscreen or touch-sensitive panel is often slower and less reliable. Buttons offer a tactile cue that can be engaged without looking away from the road, a point echoed by Lee, who notes that “tangible controls” remain easier to use while driving.
That situation could shift if vehicles reach higher levels of autonomy. When automation reaches level four, some designers anticipate programs handling most control tasks, changing the current balance between human inputs and software guidance.
相关 content will continue to evolve as automakers test and refine interfaces across different markets. The ongoing discussion centers on how best to balance safety, ease of use, and the evolving capabilities of onboard systems as more features move to digital control panels.
Note: observations and perspectives are drawn from industry testing and published reports in Auto, Motor und Sport, reflecting evolving opinions on in-car interfaces and vehicle autonomy.