Volkswagen admitted that the shift from physical buttons to touch panels was an unsuccessful decision.
In the upcoming ID.3 and ID.4 models, the manufacturer plans to bring back control buttons to the dashboard to make handling simpler and more convenient. The first step in this direction has already been shown by the ID.2all concept, which introduced a new interior design philosophy.
The new brand policy means that traditional buttons for controlling volume, seat heating, ventilation, and hazard lights will be back in a visible position under the screen. According to design head Andreas Mindt, these elements will become standard for all the brand's new cars. The steering wheel will also feature real buttons with tactile feedback to ensure the driver is not distracted from the road.
Volkswagen ID.2all Concept has already demonstrated these innovations, showing that the company is returning to tried and tested solutions. Internal sources confirm that the new vehicles will even feature a familiar round volume control, which users know and appreciate. The brand's leaders acknowledge that abandoning the classic panel was a premature and hasty step.
In the near future, the new Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4 with buttons are likely to hit the market in 2026. It is not yet clear whether these changes will also affect other brands of the Volkswagen group, such as Skoda and Audi, which have also experimented with minimalist touch interfaces for a long time.