In recent years, like much of the industry, Mercedes leaned heavily into digital interfaces. The brand’s impressive MBUX Hyperscreen, stretching up to 1,410 mm across the dashboard, became a defining feature in its newer models. It’s visually stunning and packed with tech, but it also meant moving many traditional controls into touchscreen menus.
Drivers and enthusiasts have increasingly pointed out that essential functions—things you’d normally adjust without thinking—became harder to access on the move. Simple tasks often required extra taps, attention, and time.
Now, Mercedes is acknowledging that feedback. The company has already started reintroducing physical controls on steering wheels, marking a subtle but important shift in direction. Going forward, Mercedes says it will focus on integrating what it calls “sensible buttons” alongside its digital systems.
Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius said, “Sometimes you get a bit ahead of yourself and do technology for the sake of technology and maybe forget a little bit about the customer. So from now on, you will see us reintroduce the most sensible buttons.”
Source: Autocar UK
