Mercedes-Benz to Bring Back Physical Cabin Controls Across Future Models
Responding to driver usability feedback, the German automaker pivots away from all-touch interfaces to reintroduce traditional buttons for everyday functions.
Summary
CEO Ola Källenius admitted the brand prioritized technology over convenience and will reintroduce tactile switches to future cabins.
Expansive displays like the 56-inch MBUX Hyperscreen will remain central, working alongside restored physical controls.
The shift addresses user distraction concerns and upcoming 2026 Euro NCAP regulations requiring physical switches for safety functions
Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius acknowledged that the company prioritized technology over customer convenience by eliminating physical controls across its modern lineup. Speaking in an interview with Autocar, Källenius noted that the global automotive industry reached a “low button” point and suggested future cabin designs will aim for a harmonious balance between digital real estate and tactile feedback. The executive joked that a vehicle interface needs to be simple enough for either a five-year-old or a board member to operate seamlessly.
The reversal follows years of interior development centered around massive glass interfaces. Despite the restoration of some physical switches, Mercedes-Benz does not intend to reduce the overall size or number of screens in upcoming models such as the 2027 Mercedes GLA. Displays like the expansive 56-inch MBUX Hyperscreen will continue to dominate the cabin architecture. The luxury brand plans to let giant touchscreens and traditional switches coexist rather than allowing one to entirely replace the other.
This interior design adjustment aligns with recent pivots from other luxury vehicle manufacturers responding to consumer preferences for intuitive controls. Competitor brands including Ferrari, Volkswagen and Hyundai have also started reversing the all-touch philosophy to improve daily drivability. The industry shift is not purely driven by user complaints. Upcoming Euro NCAP regulations slated for 2026 will penalize automakers that fail to provide physical switches for essential functions like turn signals, hazard lights and windshield wipers.
Competitive testing and safety studies have consistently highlighted the ergonomic benefits of physical buttons for high-frequency tasks behind the wheel. A recent Swedish distraction test demonstrated that drivers operating a button-heavy vehicle completed everyday cabin tasks significantly faster than those navigating menus in touchscreen-focused models. Mercedes-Benz has already restored physical steering wheel controls to address these usability concerns and promises to bring back sensible buttons across the broader passenger car lineup.
