Why is Mercedes bringing back physical buttons?

CEO Ola Källenius admitted that they went too far with fully touch-based interfaces and neglected practicality for drivers, so physical controls for the most common functions will return in future models.

Will Mercedes completely eliminate touchscreens?

No, touchscreens will remain, but they will no longer centralize all controls. The goal is a hybrid solution that combines screens and practical physical buttons.

Which buttons will return first?

Ola Källenius did not specify exactly which buttons, but it is assumed they will be for multimedia and climate control.

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Mercedes Admits Mistake: We're Bringing Back Physical Buttons

A.M. · Prije 3h | 2 min

CEO Ola Källenius confirmed in an interview that practical physical controls will return in future models, acknowledging that the industry has neglected user experience in favor of technology.

Summary

Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius admitted the industry went too far with touch interfaces.
He announced the return of physical buttons in future models for the most practical functions.
Touchscreens won't disappear, but they will no longer be the sole means of controlling all vehicle functions.
Mercedes' instrument panel in some models reaches a width of one meter.

The era of giant touchscreens dominating car interiors, often at the expense of ease of use, is slowly coming to an end. Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius, in an interview published on August 6, 2026, admitted that manufacturers have "gone a bit too far" with fully touch-based interfaces and announced the return of physical buttons in their vehicles.

Källenius highlighted that the company devotes "countless hours to the user interface" to make it intuitive even for "a five-year-old child," but that the ubiquity of screens has created a counterproductive effect. "Sometimes you tend to move a bit too fast, using technology for technology's sake, and in the process, you might somewhat forget the customer," said the head of Mercedes.

A meter-wide screen isn't always the solution

Mercedes-Benz has been one of the most enthusiastic advocates of cabin digitalization, with some models featuring a dashboard display that spans up to a meter in width. Although futuristic, this approach has proven impractical for drivers who need to perform simple actions quickly and without taking their eyes off the road, such as adjusting the climate or changing the music.

Aware that the balance between digital and analog has been disrupted, Källenius is clear: "[...] From now on, you will see us reintroducing the most practical buttons." While he didn't specify exactly which controls, the return of buttons for media and climate control is expected.

Not the end of screens, but the end of their monopoly on controls

This announcement does not mean a complete abandonment of touchscreens. They will remain an integral part of the interior, but they will no longer centralize absolutely all functions available to the driver. The goal is to achieve a hybrid solution that combines the best of both worlds. "I don't know if we've reached the peak of screens, but we're at the bottom when it comes to buttons," Källenius concluded vividly.

Interestingly, alongside this philosophical shift, Mercedes is also experimenting with other unconventional solutions, such as a yoke-style steering wheel, similar to Tesla's, showing that the company is not shying away from innovation but rather seeking to better align it with the needs of its customers.