I'm Done With Screens: Why My 2026 EV Needs Physical Buttons Back

[evlover]

Are modern EV interiors too minimalist? I'm fed up with tapping screens to control basic functions. Let's bring back physical buttons for safety and sanity.



"Call me old-fashioned, but I’m officially boycotting any new EV that forces me to swipe and tap through three menus just to turn on the heated steering wheel. I get it, screens look sleek and futuristic. Automakers save money. But honestly, it’s gone too far.

Just last night, driving home in the pouring rain, I fumbled with the touchscreen trying to adjust the wipers. My eyes were off the road for a good 3-4 seconds. That's a lifetime at 60 mph. It makes me question: is this progress, or a regression in driver safety?

The 'Modern Aesthetic' vs. Reality Designers rave about the minimalist cabins of Teslas, Rivians, and even some new Hyundai models. And yes, a giant tablet looks cool when the car is parked. But when you’re actually driving – trying to navigate traffic, change the radio, or heaven forbid, turn down the A/C – it’s a frustrating, often dangerous, experience.

My Plea to EV Makers (Looking at you, Tesla) Give me back my physical buttons! I'm talking about a dedicated knob for volume, a simple toggle for wiper speed, and actual switches for climate control. Brands like Polestar and Lucid manage to blend touchscreens with some essential physical controls. Why can't everyone else?

This isn't just about convenience; it's about driver focus and safety. Until then, I’ll be sticking to my older EV, where I can still feel my way around without taking my eyes off the road. What do you think? Am I just getting old, or is this a genuine issue for you too?"

 

[George]

Man, I’m so glad someone finally said this out loud because I’ve been feeling like I’m losing my mind lately. I completely agree with you and it’s actually getting dangerous out there.

I recently had a similar experience driving a new rental EV through a storm and I honestly felt like a tech support agent instead of a driver. Trying to find the window defroster settings inside a sub-menu while the windshield is fogging up is not "minimalist design" it’s just plain stupid and risky. We’ve spent decades perfecting the ergonomics of the car interior so that we could do everything by touch and muscle memory and now we’re just throwing all that progress in the trash for a clean look.

The crazy thing is that they call this progress but it feels like a massive step backward in terms of actual usability. I remember I could change the AC or the volume in my old car without even thinking about it but now I have to take my eyes off the road, aim my finger at a piece of glass, and hope the software doesn't lag. If I used my phone like that the police would pull me over in a second but if the manufacturer glues a giant tablet to the dash it’s suddenly "futuristic."

I really think it’s just a way for these companies to save a ton of money on manufacturing and parts and then they market it to us as some kind of high-end lifestyle choice. A physical button costs money to make and install but a digital icon is basically free for them.

Honestly at this point a car having a solid set of physical buttons is a luxury feature for me. I’m actually looking at older models or very specific brands now just so I don't have to deal with the all-touch nightmare. It’s not about being old-fashioned it’s about wanting to drive a car and not a giant smartphone.

I’m curious though does anyone here actually find the touchscreens easier to use while moving or is everyone just secretly annoyed by them but staying quiet? Because I’m definitely at the point where I’d pay extra for a "button pack" if it was an option.