Mercedes Acknowledges That Removing Buttons Went “Too Far”. However, Screens Are Not Going Away

After initial praise for its 2021 “Hyperscreen”, Mercedes-Benz is reintroducing physical buttons due to customer demand for better ergonomics and ease of use.

In an interview with Autocar, Mercedes-Benz’s head of sales and marketing, Mathias Geisen, acknowledged that the company has received feedback from customers who prefer traditional buttons and switches. Consequently, future Mercedes-Benz models will incorporate physical controls for frequently used functions. Geisen stated:

‘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.”

Mercedes acknowledged two years ago that touchscreens have limits but will keep large displays for their customization and tech appeal. Future models will balance these screens with physical buttons for essential functions like volume and temperature to improve ergonomics.

Mercedes-Benz joins automakers like Volkswagen, Hyundai, and Subaru in reintroducing physical controls, replacing controversial haptic steering buttons to improve ergonomics and driver safety.

The shift has also been encouraged by safety organizations such as Euro NCAP, which plans to reward vehicles that retain physical controls for essential functions in future crash-test ratings. Studies have shown that touchscreen-heavy interfaces can increase driver distraction and slow reaction times behind the wheel.

Mercedes-Benz is adopting a balanced design, keeping large displays for luxury appeal while reintroducing physical buttons to improve ergonomics and driver safety based on customer feedback.

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