Volkswagen once swapped the traditional steering wheel buttons for touchpads that resembled a smartphone screen. The idea sounded futuristic, but it demanded extremely precise touches and produced numerous false positives from accidental taps. After a wave of customer complaints, the brand decided to revert to the familiar push-button controls and retire the touchpad concept.
Touch steering wheel in VW Golf R.
Thomas Schäfer, a board member and the chief of the VW brand, announced the reversal in a LinkedIn post. He stated that the company is refining its model lineup and design to elevate ease of use in its vehicles. He confirmed that the push-button steering wheel would return, noting that customers clearly prefer it.
The touchpads first appeared in the current Golf model and have gradually spread to other vehicles within the lineup. They are also present in all VW electric models. Schäfer did not specify which model would first receive the redesigned steering wheel, though the move is expected to surface in upcoming electric vehicles. He also hinted that by 2026 VW plans to launch ten new electric models across global segments.
Automotive journalists and vehicle owners alike criticized the touch-based controls. The debate extended to competing brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, which have experimented with similar sensor-based interfaces. In addition to the issue of false positives, some drivers worry that sensors can be slower or less reliable than physical buttons. While this perception may be debated, the practical experience of many users has driven the decision to return to the tactile solution that many drivers trust.