20:18 01-02-2026

Kia reintroduces physical buttons to enhance driver convenience

Touchscreens have become a staple in modern cars, but not all drivers are pleased with them. This is especially true when adjusting volume or temperature requires navigating through complex menus. Kia has officially acknowledged this issue and is adopting a balanced approach: large screens are here to stay, but without abandoning traditional physical controls.

According to Jochen Paesen, the head of Kia's interior design department, future models will maintain a logic where essential functions like climate control and audio systems remain accessible via buttons. Kia aims to create interfaces that don't require a learning curve and instead reduce the driver's cognitive load. This is particularly crucial given the increasing number of distracting features in vehicles.

As a solution, Kia has introduced the new Pleos Connect system, which pairs a large touchscreen with a set of physical keys. This should eliminate the need to switch modes, as seen with Kia's current panel where the same block handles both climate and audio. Such an approach is especially relevant for a global brand, since driver preferences can vary across different countries.

Facing pressure from Chinese competitors who are actively experimenting with interfaces, Kia strives not only to keep up but also to set a new standard for cabin convenience.

Kia is making a smart move by bringing physical buttons back to the dashboard. This isn't a step backward but an effort to find the optimal balance between digital capabilities and the real-world needs of drivers.