Touchscreen Takeover: Are Car Interiors Losing Their Soul?

Remember the satisfying click of an air-con dial, the tactile bump of a volume knob, or the muscle memory of reaching for a defroster button without taking your eyes off the road? Those days might be numbered.

Today’s car interiors are increasingly dominated by glossy touchscreens and haptic surfaces- sleek to look at, but often frustrating to use.

Automakers, chasing a futuristic aesthetic and tech-savvy buyers, are scrapping physical buttons at a rapid pace. But is this minimalism enhancing the driving experience- or compromising it?

Some companies are already backtracking Volkswagen recently announced a return to physical climate controls in the Golf after driver complaints about their confusing touch-based interface.

It’s a sign that the screen revolution might have gone too far. But as digital dashboards become the norm, one question lingers: in the race for innovation, are cars losing something essential?

Interior of the Mercedes EQS

Car interiors have undergone a digital revolution. In the early 2000s, analogue gauges and mechanical switches started giving way to digital interfaces.

BMW’s iDrive system was among the first to centralise controls through a rotary dial and screen- a concept that polarised drivers but paved the way for change.

Audi’s Virtual Cockpit and Tesla’s radical touchscreen-only interiors followed, establishing a new design language.

Touchscreens became synonymous with modernity and innovation, allowing designers to declutter dashboards and offer dynamic interfaces. But the shift wasn’t just about aesthetics.

For manufacturers, screens were cheaper and more modular than physical components, making updates and manufacturing simpler.

As screens grew larger and more capable, physical buttons quietly disappeared. Today, even basic climate and radio functions are often buried in menus- raising the question: is the trade-off worth it?

Touchscreens offer a clean, minimalist aesthetic that reflects the broader design trends of modern technology. With fewer physical interruptions, car interiors can appear more streamlined, futuristic, and luxurious.

For many drivers, especially younger ones who’ve grown up with smartphones and tablets, these interfaces feel intuitive and familiar. Customisation is another major benefit: drivers can personalise everything from the instrument cluster display to ambient lighting and drive mode settings—all through a few taps.

Over-the-air (OTA) updates are a key advantage. Automakers can remotely fix bugs, introduce new features, or enhance interface performance without requiring a trip to the dealership. Touchscreens also allow for seamless integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, centralising navigation, media, and communication in one place.

From a manufacturing standpoint, screens simplify interior design. A single digital interface can replace dozens of buttons, reducing material costs and design complexity. This modularity helps automakers update their models faster and offer more uniform systems across vehicle lineups.

Ultimately, screens align with the modern consumer’s expectations of convenience and connectivity. In an age where everything from thermostats to fridges is getting smarter, it’s no surprise that cars are following suit—at least on the surface.

But beneath the sleek surface, screens introduce real usability issues—especially in motion. Touchscreens require more visual attention than physical controls, increasing driver distraction and reaction time. Without tactile feedback, even simple tasks like adjusting the fan speed or changing a radio station demand eyes-off-the-road interaction.

Then there’s the issue of ergonomics. Glare in bright sunlight, fingerprint smudges, laggy interfaces, and unintuitive menu structures can all frustrate users. In high-pressure situations—like fogged windows or emergency alerts—digging through touchscreen menus isn’t just inconvenient, it can be unsafe.

There’s also an emotional factor. Physical buttons provide a satisfying, analogue connection to the machine—a sensation that many enthusiasts and everyday drivers miss. Critics argue that removing buttons turns cars into sterile appliances, draining the joy out of driving.

This sentiment has prompted backlash: Ford reintroduced physical volume and climate controls in some of its models, and Volkswagen’s upcoming Golf will restore buttons to its steering wheel and dashboard after public outcry over its all-touch interface.

Screens might look great in press photos, but in the real world—on bumpy roads, in poor weather, or during split-second decisions—their limitations become clear. And for many, that’s a dealbreaker.

A growing number of automakers are exploring hybrid solutions: digital interfaces paired with essential physical controls. Volume knobs, climate buttons, and hazard switches are making a quiet comeback—acknowledging that some functions are just better served with tactile inputs.

Others are pushing technology further. Mercedes’ MBUX system uses haptic feedback to simulate the feeling of a button press on its touch surface, while BMW’s latest iDrive includes a rotary controller, touchpad, and gesture control.

Voice control has also improved, with natural language processing enabling more accurate commands. Say, “I’m cold,” and the system adjusts the climate. But voice interfaces still face hurdles: background noise, inconsistent responses, and the social awkwardness of talking to your car in traffic.

Ultimately, the future lies in interfaces that blend the best of both worlds, adapting to driver behaviour and minimizing distraction. Because innovation doesn’t have to come at the cost of common sense.