Hyundai is a forward-thinking automaker, and some of its vehicles are among the most technologically advanced on the market. However, the Korean brand continues to offer physical controls, even in its most cutting-edge models, which is a great move.
A Major Source of Distraction
Maybe it’s because I grew up in a different era, but to me, there’s nothing like the comfort of a good old button for adjusting the air conditioning or radio volume. I have nothing against touchscreens—quite the opposite—but I find it incredibly frustrating to navigate through multiple menus just to perform actions that used to be so simple.
Apparently, I’m not alone in thinking this. Hyundai looked into the matter with an internal study. The results are clear: buyers overwhelmingly prefer physical buttons, first for safety reasons and second for comfort.
A Question of Costs
There’s a reason manufacturers are flocking to touchscreens. The same screen can be used across multiple models, significantly reducing production costs. In contrast, physical buttons require additional steps on the assembly line and introduce more moving parts into a vehicle\'s design.
A Too-Rapid Evolution
I’m among those who believe automakers have tried to move too fast and pushed boundaries too far on several levels. I sincerely think the coming years will be a time of adjustment, and concepts we thought were lost will make a comeback in the automotive industry. Today’s vehicles are overly tech-heavy and certainly too expensive. A return to more affordable, less-equipped models is definitely a possibility.
Personally, I’m glad to see some manufacturers, like Hyundai, paying attention to what buyers think and improving their lineup accordingly. It’s one of the reasons I deeply appreciate the Korean automaker.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
