Volkswagen abandons touch controls on steering wheels

Volkswagen will soon ditch the unflattering touch controls installed on its steering wheels to return to the physical buttons customers prefer.

In a post published on the social network LinkedIn, the new head of Volkswagen Thomas Schäfer discusses the changes that are to come within the vehicles of his brand. Among the announcements regarding electrification (10 electric models launched by 2026) or the digitization of the sales process, a surprising point caught our attention. The manager said the vehicles in the line would be easier to use and more ergonomic.

Thomas Schäfer gives an example: the touch controls on the steering wheel. Criticized by the press and customers since its introduction on the Golf 7 in 2019 and widespread in electric models in the ID range. as before! The manager admits that “this is what customers expect from VW”.

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The refurbished Golf could be the first to receive this development. Indeed, a prototype seen by photographers a few weeks ago (see gallery) showed an overhauled cabin with a huge central touchscreen and a slightly different steering wheel, including old-fashioned physical controls.

At the time, we questioned the presence of this steering wheel, but the fact that it was a prototype made us doubt. This new information provided by Thomas Schäfer would therefore confirm the presence of a steering wheel with physical controls.

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On the other hand, we do not know if VW also plans to modify the touch controls under the central screen, which allow, in particular, to modify the volume of the radio or the temperature of the air conditioning. As with the steering wheel, these tactile keys in a glossy black element are regularly criticized for their lack of tactile feedback and poor accuracy. Not to mention the fact that they're not backlit, which forces you to take your eyes off the road at night longer.