Volkswagen's Killing Its Touch-Sensitive Steering-Wheel Controls. Goodbye and Good Riddance

Volkswagen is replacing its touch-sensitive (haptic) steering-wheel control panel in favor of more user-friendly physical buttons. The news comes via LinkedIn post from CEO Thomas Schäfer who said the switch is happening following customer feedback and requests to revert to the old format. We reached out to Volkswagen and are waiting to find out which car is getting the new steering-wheel controls first, and when customers can expect the change.

Volkswagen is listening to its customers’ complaints and, more important (we’re kidding), to ours, about haptic controls. Thomas Schäfer, the CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, took to Linked In to make the announcement last week. “We are sharpening our portfolio and our design, plus creating a new simplicity in operating our vehicles,” said Schäfer. “For example, we are bringing back the push-button steering wheel! That’s what customers want from VW.” Finally.

Something as small as steering-wheel controls may seem mundane, but the return to physical wheel controls is very welcome. We’ve long complained about ease-of-use issues with the haptic system. Case in point, editor-in-chief Tony Quiroga wrote in his review of the 2022 GTI about accidentally activating the heated steering wheel: “Start hustling the car and you’ll find your hands sweating, not because of the work, but because your palm accidentally switched on the heated steering wheel.” Ideally, reverting to physical buttons will allow spirited driving sans petri dish hands.

As of now, the $25,000 Taos is the only vehicle in Volkswagen’s North American lineup with physical buttons on the steering wheel. We have asked VW when customers should expect to start seeing physical buttons on the steering wheel again, and on which cars. We’ll let you know when we find out.

Now if only Volkswagen will do something about the lack of volume knob and real climate controls . . .

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