Renault is keeping physical buttons in its car interiors, even though it costs more than switching to touchscreens. The company argues that safety and ease of use outweigh potential savings, challenging a growing industry trend.
Renault has drawn a clear line in the sand: physical buttons are here to stay in its vehicles, regardless of the financial cost. While much of the automotive industry races to replace traditional controls with expansive touchscreens, Renault insists that tactile switches remain essential for both safety and practicality.
Touchscreens have become a dominant feature in modern car interiors, consolidating everything from climate control to audio settings into a single digital interface. This shift, however, has sparked debate among drivers and safety experts, who warn that navigating complex menus can distract from the road. According to Renault, the convenience of a touchscreen does not outweigh the risks posed by removing physical controls for frequently used functions.
It is safer for drivers to access key features, like adjusting the temperature or changing the radio station, through a button or dial, rather than searching through submenus while driving.
Glen Sealey, Managing Director of Renault Australia, recently described physical buttons as a “fundamental principle” for the brand. He emphasized that it is safer for drivers to access key features—like adjusting the temperature or changing the radio station—through a button or dial, rather than searching through submenus while driving. Sealey acknowledged that maintaining these controls is more expensive, but argued that the added cost is justified by the benefits to driver focus and usability.
This position is echoed by Euro NCAP, the European car safety authority, which updated its protocols this year to require physical buttons for commonly used functions. The move follows consumer feedback suggesting that tactile controls help reduce distractions behind the wheel.
Renault’s approach stands in contrast to brands like Tesla, which have integrated even gear selection into their touchscreens, and to others who have eliminated nearly all physical switches. While many new cars offer voice assistants to help drivers keep their eyes on the road, Renault points out that a significant number of motorists still interact directly with screens, sometimes in violation of traffic regulations.
Interestingly, the industry may be swinging back toward tactile controls. The Volkswagen Group has begun reintroducing physical buttons in its latest models after customer pushback, and Mercedes has admitted that removing buttons was not always the best idea. Toyota is also considering bringing back some switches in the RAV4. For a closer look at how these design choices play out in the electric city car segment, see this comparison of the Renault 5 E-Tech and Fiat 600e: how two urban EVs balance technology and practicality.
Renault’s decision to prioritize physical buttons comes at a time when cost-cutting is a major concern for automakers. Yet the company maintains that the higher expense is a worthwhile trade-off for safer, more intuitive interiors. As the debate over in-car technology continues, Renault’s stance highlights a growing recognition that not all digital innovations serve drivers equally well.
Contextually, the push for more tactile controls reflects broader concerns about road safety and driver distraction. Studies have shown that touchscreens can demand more attention than even mobile phones, prompting regulators and manufacturers to reconsider the balance between digital convenience and hands-on usability. For now, Renault’s commitment to physical buttons sets it apart in an industry still searching for the right formula.
