Mercedes-Benz commits to bringing back physical buttons
Another brand backflips and admits that touch-sensitive buttons for frequently used controls were a mistake, but only after the nudge from customers.
Mercedes-Benz joins the growing list of manufacturers listening to customers and admitting that touch-sensitive controls and burying controls in menus were mistakes.
The German brand remains committed to offering large screens in its models, but has listened to its customers and will offer physical buttons for key functions in future.
This is partly unlike Audi and Volkswagen, which have chosen to reduce the size of their infotainment screens to make room for the returning physical controls.
The upcoming GLC and C-Class will be offered with the 39.1-inch MBUX 'Hyperscreen' that covers almost the entire width of the dashboard, but with physical buttons in front of the dual wireless chargers, along with physical buttons and switches returning to the steering wheel.
MORE: 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class EV revealed, due in Australia early next year
Mercedes-Benz Sales boss Mathias Geisen, when speaking to Autocar, said the brand has changed its course: "Customers told us two years ago, 'guys, nice idea, but it just doesn't work for us', so we changed that and made it more analogue."
Physical buttons, switches, and dials will continue to be incorporated into upcoming models, as the brand plans to blend its screen with the required physical controls.
He also explained that "I'm a big believer in screens, because I really believe if you want to connect, you have to make the magic work behind the screen."
"But in our future products, you will see more hard keys for specific functions that customers want to have direct access for with hard keys.
MORE: 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQS revealed with 925km EV range claim
"When we do car research clinics, customers are very clear: 'We love the big screens, but we want to have [hard controls for] specific functionalities.'"
The brand will also offer a customisable wallpaper element for the near metre-wide seamless touchscreen, a choice that its sales boss admits was brought because phones are such a huge part of people's lives and they are used to that level of technology.
"If you want to connect to the customer, you’ve got to find a way to translate this digital experience from your phone to the customer."
MORE: 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ electric SUV on track for Australia within 2026
The new-generation GLC SUV will showcase the brand's new MB.EA electric vehicle platform when it arrives in the fourth quarter of 2026 (October to December), shared with the upcoming C-Class when it's due early next year.
→ Add Drive as a preferred source in Google Search 9 ImagesCadet News Journalist
Read more about Matt Adams