Buttons Make a Comeback
Volkswagen owners and car reviewers have been vocal about one thing: too many touch controls, not enough real buttons. Simple tasks like changing the temperature meant digging through menus or fiddling with sliders, and those haptic steering wheel controls never really caught on. Volkswagen listened, and now it’s showing off what’s next for its interiors. The big news? Physical buttons are making a return.
The first car to get this new interior is the Volkswagen ID. Polo, a small electric hatchback that’s set to be the entry point for the brand’s EVs. Volkswagen says this isn’t just a one-off design. The same approach will roll out across all future ID models, with an emphasis on easier controls, better materials, and more recycled content. Of note, the photos the company shared are from a near-production concept vehicle, so they’re close to what buyers will actually get when the ID. Polo hits showrooms.
Volkswagen
Inside the New Cockpit
The new interior looks calmer and more organized than what you’ll find in today’s ID models. Two big screens sit side by side: a 10.25-inch digital cluster behind the wheel and a nearly 13-inch touchscreen in the center. The key difference is that these displays are backed up by real buttons, not just more touch controls.
Right under the main screen, there’s a row of buttons for climate and hazard lights, so you don’t have to hunt through menus for basic settings. The steering wheel drops the touch pads and brings back proper buttons. There’s even a rotary knob between the cup holders and phone tray for volume and media – simple, but it makes a difference.
Materials get more attention, too. The dashboard and doors use fabric to make the cabin feel warmer and less like a gadget, and recycled materials are used throughout. There’s even a retro mode for the digital gauges – press a button, and the display throws back to the original Golf – a small touch that should add some character.
Volkswagen
Pricing Reality Check
Volkswagen originally promised an affordable electric ID model, hinting that prices would beat most in the EV market. But now, it looks like the ID. Polo could end up costing more than planned, thanks to higher production costs, new software, and pricier materials.
Final pricing isn’t set, but most signs point to a starting price around $30,000 or more, depending on the market and incentives. Volkswagen is clearly fixing one of its biggest complaints with the new interior, but the price and US availability are still up in the air.
Volkswagen
