Mercedes-Benz launched the new GLC earlier this month, with the crossover’s new, bigger screen getting all the attention. However, if you notice, despite the obnoxiously large display on the dash, the car does still have physical controls—buttons, switches, and rollers that are located on the steering wheel.
It’s not by accident. Mercedes looked at the data, and people like physical controls. Magnus Östberg, Mercedes’ software boss, told Autocar during the Munich Motor Show:
‘The data shows us the physical buttons are better, and that’s why we put them back in.’
The automaker said it learned that real buttons and switches are “very important for certain age groups and certain populations,” harvesting data from its first software-defined vehicle, the CLA. The new, button-filled wheel will become the standard one in future Mercedes vehicles, and different markets might receive different variants.
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
But if you were hoping for a full embrace of buttons and knobs, we’re sorry to disappoint. Mercedes is only thinking about adding more physical buttons and switches elsewhere in the cabin. If they do return, the company will likely relegate those luxuries to “larger cars” with “more freedom” in their packaging and design.
The Tablet Trend is Dying
Automakers are finally beginning to listen to customers and safety advocates about the importance of physical controls. Buttons and switches for vital functions are something consumers want in their vehicles, and automakers have the data to prove it.
BMW learned, while designing the new iX3, that there were certain buttons and knobs the automaker could not remove. It’s why the new crossover still has a physical volume roller. The company also used driver data to help determine which other switches to keep, including mirror and window controls.
Volkswagen is already putting buttons back in cars, and Hyundai has been adamant about keeping them in its vehicles for safety reasons.
There’s also growing regulatory pressure. The Euro NCAP said earlier this year it might introduce new rules starting January 2026 that dings automakers for a lack of physical controls, possibly leading to a lower safety rating, and no automaker wants that.
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