All future Volkswagen models will feature physical controls for the most important functions, design chief Andreas Mindt has said.
“From the ID 2all onwards, we will have physical buttons for the five most important functions – the volume, the heating on each side of the car, the fans and the hazard light – below the screen,” said Mindt. “They will be in every car that we make from now on. We understood this.
“We will never, ever make this mistake any more. On the steering wheel, we will have physical buttons. No guessing any more. There's feedback, it's real, and people love this. Honestly, it's a car. It's not a phone: it's a car.”
Bring back the BUTTONS! Sometimes you need to activate the hazards a bit quickly and aiming your fingers towards a screen just isn't good enough, especially as Volvo are supposed to be the leaders in safety. And the second physical button up on the roof would take your eyes off the road when you need them only on the road!! Good to hear that one manufacturer is listening to it's customers...
Agreed. I think most manufacturers have got the message at last. The fact that mobile phone use is banned whilst driving in most countries, and yet it is supposedly OK to be looking away from the road and swiping at large infotainment screens is absolutely absurd. And this was all done to save on manufacturing costs. Far easier for manufacturers to update screens to add or remove features.
EX30 Plus,10/24 , Crystal White with Indigo Interior. Single Motor Extended Range.
I agree that there are some usability issues with the central screen but at least the Volvo's avoids blatant absurdity unlike some other manufacturers - Smart being a prime example, which when I saw it completely turned me off getting the car itself!
Likewise although it was never on my radar, the Mini has some questionable graphics at times:
... and some cars we don't get in the UK exhibit frivolity too! Here's the Dongfeng Box screen:
The Volvo's UI is as sparse as it gets, but at least it feels familiar to anyone who's ever handled a phone or tablet. It's true that you get used to everything quickly, but I agree that the Mini's UI, while very well-crafted to adapt to the form factor, is a bit... odd in some ways. EVs don't have many UIs that are flawless.
Regarding buttons, levers, knobs and all that kind of physical switches in general, I'd say I really missed...two? The fog lights and the call or media pause button.
I do miss a lot, a more configurable UI...and much, much bigger fonts. Can't read 80% of the items, text or whatever...I have to look over or under my glasses to simply see the time, or % battery, or...
EX30 Plus. Vapour Grey-Pine. Single Motor Extended Range. V 1.4.2 (Spain)
The Honda fish tank is genius. There has got to be a happy medium between the advantages of a central gui and some physical buttons. I’m sure in time more user configuration will become available at the price points of the EX30. In my view there is a lot there already. Some of it adds little value and a lot of it is too difficult to access. Not a bad first attempt though by Volvo.
You’re too kind, Andrew,
From a so-called premium manufacturer, I think it’s abysmal when you can’t even open the doors reliably. The physical buttons for the lights, wipers, volume up/down and cruise control, work perfectly but everything controlled through the screen leaves a lot to be desired.
Since I’ve had the car (July ’24) there has been two OTA updates each one adding features of little value, or that simply don’t work. And whoever wanted a code to open the glovebox needs a damn good talking to.
Many cars have locking glove boxes so you can lock up your valuable stuff so it won't be stolen by any thief who breaks into your car. Several of my previous cars had a 'mechanics key' which would not unlock the glovebox, so you could keep your stuff safe from rogue mechanics working for your dealer if you gave them that key instead of your normal one.
So I guess there is a point to the pointless glove box code (which I don't use).
2024 EX30 Ultra - single motor - extended range - Onyx Black (UK)
