Mercedes Reverses Touchscreen Trend: Buttons Return While Giant Screens Stay

Mercedes-Benz is doubling down on its iconic giant touchscreens while quietly reintroducing physical buttons and switches for key in-cabin functions. The move comes after years of shifting away from traditional controls in favor of digital interfaces.

The steering wheel scroll wheel is replacing haptic slide controls, marking a return to tactile feedback for drivers. Mercedes executives have admitted the brand was aware of customer dissatisfaction with touch controls as early as two years ago.

Why Mercedes Is Bringing Back Buttons

Over the past decade, many automakers, including Mercedes, have prioritized large touchscreens in their vehicle interiors. While these displays offer sleek aesthetics and advanced functionality, they have faced criticism for usability issues.

Mercedes executive Mathias Geisen told Autocar in a recent interview that customer feedback has been consistent: "When we do car research clinics, customers are very clear: ‘We love the big screens, but we want to have [hard controls for] specific functionalities.’"

Geisen confirmed that Mercedes has known about these concerns for approximately two years and has since adjusted its approach. "Customers told us two years ago, ‘guys, nice idea, but it just doesn’t work for us,’ so we changed that and made it more analogue," he said.

Changes Extend Beyond the Steering Wheel

The reintroduction of physical controls is not limited to the steering wheel. Geisen stated that future Mercedes models will feature more hard keys for functions where drivers demand direct access. This includes climate controls, media selection, and other frequently used features.

"In our future products, you will see more hard keys for specific functions that customers want to have direct access for with hard keys."

Despite this shift, Mercedes is not abandoning its signature large touchscreens. Geisen highlighted the flexibility of these displays, noting that families can customize them with photos, similar to smartphone interfaces. He described this approach as akin to smartphones, where hardware remains familiar but software and personalization drive differentiation.

Physical Controls Remain a Luxury Standard

Luxury automakers have long relied on physical buttons and switches for their premium appeal. Even mainstream buyers increasingly prefer tactile controls over touchscreens or haptic switches, which can be less intuitive and prone to errors.

For now, Mercedes appears committed to balancing both worlds—retaining its expansive touchscreens while reintroducing hard controls where they matter most. This hybrid approach may set a new standard for in-cabin design in the coming years.