Volkswagen adding physical controls in addition to touchscreen in 2025

[thewayne]

VW took a lot of flack over the past few years for removing physical buttons from their cars, and now they've seen the light and have reversed course. In '25, I don't know if that's the model year that will come out in calendar year 2024 or if they'll be released in CY '25, they're adding physical buttons back in!

Sadly, IMO, it looks to me that they're just climate control, and you'll still be dependent on the touch screen for things like the stereo. It's not easy to see much detail in the very brief video posted on Xwitter and linked in the article, but it does look like cruise control buttons on the steering wheel, and presumable audio controls for the stereo.

Volvo just released a new EV at under $40k, but like Tesla, everything is controlled through a central touch screen! I don't know what these people are thinking, forcing you to look away from the road to adjust things like temperature.

Volkswagen still has a problem with its car 'operating system'. That division has been plagued with problems and management turnover. They're trying to reinvent the wheel, which can be a good thing, but is also a risky move. They have been churning the CEO of that unit annually or more often, we'll see if they're able to get something good out of it.

https://www.engadget.com/volkswagen-drivers-want-more-physical-buttons-instead-of-touch-controls-044931087.html

Comments

[armiphlage]

"I don't know what these people are thinking"

Saving money; touch screens are cheap and dropping in price, and are easy to install. The price of knobs is static, and takes far more labour to install the same number of inputs.

[thewayne]

I will spend a few bucks more for knobs that I can adjust without taking my eyes from the road and will eschew all in one touch screens.  I know voice control is something they want people to use, but it isn't that effective except for idealized voices and specific commands.

[disneydream06]

UGH... They make it illegal to use your phone in the car.
Well, it's illegal if you actually obey the law. Can't tell you how many times I see people driving down the road yacking on their damn phones. :o
Now they want to basically use a computer while you are driving? ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hugs, Jon

[murakozi]

I had a loaner car earlier this year that only had physical controls for the radio volume and tuning. I only had it for a day and a half, but it sure made me appreciate the actual knobs and buttons in my car.

Another thing I dislike about touch controls is that with many cars, it looks like someone just hot glued a tablet onto the dash instead of even trying to make it look like something even halfway integrated into the car.

[murakozi]

I don't even like talking on the phone when driving when the phone is linked to the car and hands-free.

[disneydream06]

My phone doesn't link, so it's a no go for me. :o

[thewayne]

Good point.  Using a phone is distracted driving and can get you ticketed, but being forced to use a touch screen to adjust the cabin temperature is not.

[thewayne]

Yeah, I've noticed that.  It looks like newer cars are doing better jobs integrating them into the dash now.  One thing that gives me a bit of a pause is how the front airbags deploy around them, apparently air bag designers are very good at origami. ;)

[silveradept]

Interesting how they're locking so many controls behind touchscreens that then themselves go "no, you can't adjust this while the car is being driven, hope you found exactly the right controls before you started moving!"

As opposed to having knobs and buttons that you can just use while you're on the road if you have to make adjustments.

[thewayne]

I have no idea how many controls are locked while the car is in motion or gear, good point.

[darkoshi]

I remember having that problem with not being able to adjust something to do with either the bluetooth/music or map settings, as the front seat *passenger* in a moving car. It wasn't smart enough to know who was trying to use the center console screen.