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Nov 20, 2023

Volkswagen Is Bringing Actual Buttons Back to Its Steering Wheels

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No more touch-capacitive crap—just actual, real buttons. Other automakers, take note.

Over the past few years, there's been a shift in interior design for a handful of car manufacturers that sees actual, physical buttons being replaced by touch-capacitive versions. While the new buttons sound futuristic, techy, and cool, they are not. In reality, they're worse to use than normal buttons, as they're often harder to use while driving. Volkswagen, one of the biggest offenders when it comes to touch-capacitive interior controls, is beginning to realize the errors of its ways.

VW CEO Thomas Schäfer revealed last week the brand is planning an era of "new simplicity" in vehicle operation going forward, according to a post published on Linkedin. His prime example: Bringing back steering wheels with actual push-buttons, rather than touch-capacitive buttons. "That's what customers want from VW," Schäfer wrote.

Currently, touch-capacitive buttons are used on cars like the GTI, Golf R, Tiguan R, and Touareg, among other models. On either side of the airbag module, you'll find piano black panels with indents for buttons, each sensitive to thumb taps or swipes. There's even a touch-sensitive bar for the volume instead of a rocker switch or scroll ball. It sounds cool in theory, but in practice, it's infuriating to use.

The steering wheel isn't the only place you'll find touch-capacitive buttons in new Volkswagens. Under the touchscreen in the Golf R, for example, there's a small smattering of touch-capacitive switches that are even more bothersome. The button-cutting went as far as to drop the volume knob altogether, making adjustment a far more exhausting task than it should be. Hopefully, VW doesn't stop at the steering wheel, and more manufacturers take note of this shift.

Road & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing.

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