Hyundai Commits to Physical Controls — Because They’re Better

A big, door-to-door dashboard screen can be visually impressive—a gadget you want to show the neighbors or the folks at work who might be jealous of your new ride. But is it a better way to operate a car? Hyundai used to think so, but years of customer feedback have told the successful automaker that physical controls are just plain better, so Hyundai is committing to keeping them around for critical functions.  

“As we were adding integrated screens in our vehicles, we also tried out putting touchscreen-based controls, and people didn’t prefer that,” Hyundai Vice President Hak Soo Ha told the Korea JoongAng Daily in November.  

“When we tested with our focus group, we realized that people get stressed, annoyed, and steamed when they want to control something in a pinch but are unable to do so.” 

While physical buttons may not offer the same wow factor as a slim, glossy screen, they’re much easier to use — especially while a car is in motion. This safety component made the pivot back to actual physical buttons and knobs a little easier for the Hyundai designers, who just want to create spaces that wow customers. When drivers have to navigate buttons to adjust minute settings, like the air temperature or sound volume, it becomes a pain point.  

There are some scenarios where digital interfaces start to make more sense. Modern self-driving systems change the way customers drive on the highway, Hyundai’s designers say, allowing drivers to relax more behind the wheel. Under these circumstances, it’s reasonable to expect the driver to dive deeper into touchscreen control menus, but these features have to work no matter how a vehicle is being driven.  

Hyundai was drawn into the touchscreen fad like many major automakers, especially after new EVs began to popularize the clean, screen-only aesthetic that has become a signature look for some upstart automakers. However, over time, the pitfalls of navigating screens have turned many buyers off.  

That’s why Hyundai has chosen to commit to physical controls. Sure, digital interfaces will continue to pop up in new models, but you can expect Hyundai’s interior designers to prioritize the user experience rather than the “wow” factor in the company’s future cabins. We’re already seeing the effects in some of the company’s latest offerings, which ship with a blend of physical, digital, and voice control options to better help customers on the go.  

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