https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a69916699/volkswagen-interior-physical-buttons-return/ SearchSearchClose --------------------------------------------------------------------- * Cars By Category * Expert Reviews * Car Buying Guide * Shopping Tools and Advice * Car Buying Service * Stories and Features * News * Expert-Tested Gear * New Cars * Follow * Podcast * Videos * Subscribe to the Magazine * About Us * Newsletter Opt-Out IconYour Privacy Choices Privacy NoticeTerms Of Use Skip to Content Logo Close * SHOP NEW CARS New! * SHOP USED CARS New! * Research Cars * Expert Reviews * WHAT'S MY CAR WORTH? * Expert-Tested Gear * News + Stories Caret Left Icon Close Follow Car and Driver Social FacebookSocial InstagramSocial TiktokSocial XYoutubeMicrophone Subscribe to the magazine About UsContact Us back Global Nav Search [ ] Search Subscribe sign in * SHOP NEW CARS * SHOP USED CARS * Research Cars * Expert Reviews * WHAT'S MY CAR WORTH? * Expert-Tested Gear * News + Stories 1. Home 2. News 3. VW's New Year's Resolution Is to Bring Back Physical Buttons VW's New Year's Resolution Is to Bring Back Physical Buttons The new ID. Polo's interior is full of buttons on the steering wheel and dash, previewing a return to physical switchgear for future Volkswagens. By Jack FitzgeraldPublished: Jan 5, 2026 bookmarksSave Article 2027 volkswagen id polo Volkswagen * Volkswagen revealed a new generation of cockpit design with the refreshed ID. Polo. * The new design marks a big departure for VW and features a plethora of physical controls rather than the capacitive buttons on current models. * While the switchgear is currently only found on the new ID. Polo, which isn't sold in the United States, it could debut on the soon-to-be-refreshed ID.4. Volkswagen is making a drastic change to its interiors, or at least the interiors of its electric vehicles. The automaker recently unveiled a new cockpit generation with the refreshed ID. Polo--the diminutive electric hatchback that the brand sells in Europe--that now comes with physical buttons. 2027 volkswagen id polo Volkswagen While VW certainly isn't the only automaker that pushed the envelope with haptic controls and digital buttons, it was a particularly egregious offender. Now, the company is doing a complete 180-degree shift, adding a full suite of physical buttons and switchgear to the Polo's interior. For Sale Near You See all results for Volkswagen for sale near 20011 [arrow-right-regular] The steering wheel gets new clusters of buttons for cruise control and interacting with music playback, while switches for the temperature and fan speed now live in a row along the dashboard. The move back to buttons doesn't come out of nowhere. Volkswagen already started the shift with the new versions of the Golf and Tiguan models in the United States. Unfortunately, some climate controls, such as those for the rear defrost and the heated seats, are still accessed through the touchscreen. Thankfully, they look to retain their dedicated spot at the bottom of the display. 2027 volkswagen id polo Volkswagen Volkswagen hasn't announced which models will receive the new cockpit design. The redesigned interior also may be limited to the brand's electric vehicles, which would limit it to the upcoming refresh for the ID.4 SUV (and potentially the ID.Buzz), as the only VW EV models currently sold in America. More on VW * [2025-volkswagen-golf-]Volkswagen Golf GTI/Golf R: Car and Driver 2026 10Best Cars * [2025-volkswagen-id-bu]VW Puts the Electric Microbus on Ice for 2026 * [2024-volkswagen-id-4-]2026 Volkswagen ID.4 Could be a Seismic Departure --------------------------------------------------------------------- [?] Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car. Shop New Cars Shop Used Cars Headshot of Jack Fitzgerald Jack Fitzgerald Associate News Editor Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Watch Next loading video... 2027 volkswagen id polo News autoliv foldable steering wheel CES: This Steering Wheel Can Retract into the Dash ram trucks longer warranty Ram Extends Longer Powertrain Warranty Through '26 sondy honda afeela suv prototype 2026 Afeela Reveals Surprise SUV Prototype at CES q4 2025 sales winners losers Winners and Losers in Auto Sales in Q4 2025 Advertisement - Continue Reading Below 2027 dodge charger hellcat v8 2027 Dodge Charger Hellcat Is Worth Waiting For mercedes benz mb.drive assist pro We Sample Mercedes's MB.Drive Assist Pro lucid uber nuro robotaxi Lucid, Uber, and Nuro Team Up for Gravity Robotaxi 2028 mitsubishi montero render 2028 Montero Is an Off-Roader Worth Waiting For subaru stand tokyo auto salon Will Subaru's New STI Model Come to America? tesla dealership BYD Surpasses Tesla as World's Biggest EV Maker new mitsubishi montero suv teaser Teased! New Mitsubishi Montero Nears Big Debut 1986 bmw alpina Alpina Is Now Its Own Brand Under the BMW Umbrella Advertisement - Continue Reading Below Logo x tiktok youtube facebook instagram About UsResearch CarsAll Car RankingsNewsContact UsExpert ReviewsBest SUVsNewsletterHow We Test CarsStories and FeaturesBest 3-Row SUVsRSS FeedHow We Rate CarsExpert-Tested GearBest Hybrid SUVsSubscribeHearst AutosCompare CarsBest EVsCustomer ServiceWhat's My Car Worth?Shop Cars for SaleHearst Autos - A Part of Hearst Digital Media A Part of Hearst Digital Media We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. (c)2026 Hearst Autos, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy NoticeCA Notice at CollectionYour CA Privacy Rights/Shine the LightDAA Industry Opt OutTerms of UseSite Map Opt-Out IconYour Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads