In a surprising yet entirely logical twist, Hyundai has discovered that people prefer physical buttons over touchscreens for basic car controls. This revelation comes from the automaker’s internal studies, which indicate that the push for sleek, touchscreen-heavy interiors might not be the best approach, after all. Similar to Toyota, Hyundai has been one of the few automakers to resist the trend of ditching physical buttons entirely, even in its latest models. In fact, Hyundai’s recent products, such as the Ioniq 5 and the Tucson, are proving that customers appreciate having a balance between traditional physical controls and modern touchscreen functionality. The company has added more hard buttons to these vehicles than in their earlier models, showing a clear recognition of a shift in user preferences. Hyundai’s findings aren’t just based on anecdotal evidence or speculation. They are rooted in real-world feedback and insights gathered from their customer base.
A visit to Hyundai's Design North America studio in California by Korea JoongAng Daily unveiled some fascinating details about how the automaker is responding to consumer demand. Ha Hak-soo, Vice President of Hyundai Design North America, shared that the company initially looked to Tesla's revolutionary infotainment systems—where almost every feature was embedded into a large touchscreen—as the future. The thought was that such a streamlined, tech-heavy interface would be the pinnacle of automotive innovation. However, Hyundai soon realized that a fully touchscreen-dependent vehicle isn’t always the most practical solution.
While touchscreens can look impressive and modern, they come with a major drawback: usability. Particularly when it comes to frequently-used functions like adjusting the temperature or volume, drivers have to take their eyes off the road and fumble through menus. This can lead to distractions and, ultimately, a less safe driving experience. In contrast, physical knobs and buttons are always in the same place, allowing drivers to rely on muscle memory and keep their focus on the road.
The research made it clear that people tend to favor hard keys for essential functions. It turns out that while touchscreen technology is a fantastic addition to a vehicle, some controls should remain tangible and easy to operate, especially when safety is on the line. Hyundai’s shift back toward physical controls may be seen as a nod to practicality over design, but it's a choice that aligns with common sense and better driving experience.
Hyundai’s internal studies have sparked a reconsideration of the fully touchscreen approach in the automotive world. And if the company were to expand the research globally, it’s likely that the findings would remain the same. In fact, the global preference for physical controls seems so intuitive that the decision to keep them in the lineup feels more like a return to fundamentals than a major design choice.
While some may still be enamored with the minimalist, high-tech look of all-touchscreen interiors, Hyundai is betting on the idea that drivers value ease of use, safety, and the comfort of familiarity. It’s a refreshing reminder that sometimes the simplest solutions, like a well-placed button or knob, are the most effective.
Wael is an automotive content writer specializes in creating written content for Motor 283. Producing a wide range of content, including blog posts, articles, product descriptions, reviews, and technical guides related to cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles, with an unprecedented passion for cars, and motorcycles.
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