January 6, 2026
Button-mashing is back
Volkswagen Brings Back Physical Buttons
VW ditches fussy touch panels for real buttons — commenters say follow the money
TLDR: Volkswagen is bringing back physical controls in new EV interiors, starting in Europe and likely heading to the ID.4 next. Commenters cheer the return of knobs but say it’s driven by cost, not care, while veterans warn VW’s software still hurts and others call it an industry-wide problem.
Volkswagen just rolled out a new cockpit for its refreshed ID. Polo and it’s a full-on throwback: real buttons are back. After years of swipey sliders and laggy screens, the crowd cheered… then immediately accused VW of doing it for one reason: money. The top-voted vibe? “Money.” Another commenter expanded the thesis: touch panels were once sold as “luxury” in the iPhone era, but the software never felt smooth. Cue the eye-rolls and “finally, knobs” memes. Still, the skeptics barged in: one veteran of VW’s software unit Cariad warned this isn’t even a production system yet and, when it lands, “it’s going to suck.” Ouch.
Here’s what VW says: steering wheel buttons return for cruise and music, and temperature and fan get real switches along the dash. Some climate bits, like rear defrost and heated seats, still live on the screen (at least with a dedicated spot). For now it’s Europe-only with the ID. Polo, but Americans could see it in a refreshed ID.4 and maybe the ID. Buzz. Meanwhile, one glorious thread detoured into a safety lecture about induction stoves, because internet. Big-picture debate: is this a win for drivers or simply a cost-cutting U-turn dressed up as “listening to customers”? The comments are yelling: both.
Key Points
- •Volkswagen unveiled a new cockpit design for the refreshed ID. Polo featuring physical buttons and switchgear.
- •The ID. Polo’s steering wheel includes button clusters for cruise control and media, and climate functions use dashboard switches.
- •Some climate controls, such as rear defrost and heated seats, remain accessible via the touchscreen with dedicated display spots.
- •Volkswagen has not confirmed which models will receive the new cockpit; it may be limited to EVs.
- •The design could appear in the upcoming refresh of the ID.4 and potentially the ID.Buzz; VW has already started returning to physical controls in U.S. Golf and Tiguan models.