Fed up with touchscreens? I’ve picked the 10 best new cars with physical buttons
Car changing is a big deal
Not everyone gets on with touchscreen-based controls, so news editor Jamie Edkins has rounded up 10 of the best new cars which still have old-school buttons inside.
There are dozens of modern cars which have done away with traditional buttons, replacing them with menus on a massive central touchscreen. It’s a trend which seemed to start with the Tesla Model S way back in 2012, and now finding a new car which has proper switchgear is getting harder.
I drive and review a lot of different models, and I’ve gotten used to doing most things through a screen, but whenever I get into a car with rotary dials for the climate control I’m reminded of how much easier they are to use on the move.
If you also prefer to prod buttons or twirl knobs, these are ten of the best new cars which still have physical buttons for the major controls.
- Renault Twingo
- Skoda Fabia
- Land Rover Defender
- Honda Civic
- Dacia Duster
- Kia EV3
- Toyota Yaris Cross
- Fiat Grande Panda
- Volkswagen T-Cross
- Mazda 3
1. Renault Twingo
The new Renault Twingo is one of my favourite new electric cars. It looks adorable thanks to the retro design and happy-looking headlights, and it’s not a case of form over function either.
Inside, not only do you get funky body-coloured details, you get a trio of proper climate knobs and buttons for the most-used functions. Kudos to Renault for the “My Safety Perso” button as well, which allows you to switch off the annoying safety beeps with just two taps.
2. Skoda Fabia
I’ve spent six months living with a Skoda Fabia, and the interior is really easy to get along with. It has neat, solid-feeling buttons for the temperature and fan speed, although you do have to dive into the screen to move the direction of the airflow.
It’s a brilliant small car. You get a good amount of rear legroom, the same amount of boot space as a larger Volkswagen Golf and it’s really comfortable to drive as well.
3. Land Rover Defender
Lots of expensive 4X4s have moved to a screen-based interior, including most of Land Rover’s lineup, but the Defender is still sticking with proper knobs and switches. It makes sense really in the brand’s most hardcore off-roader, because you need to be able to operate everything while wearing gloves.
The Defender is one of those cars which is just effortlessly cool. It looks just as at-home outside a stately manor as it does towing a horsebox over a field, and it’s really spacious inside as well. It’s just a shame it’s too expensive for a lot of people.
4. Honda Civic
The latest Honda Civic has one of my favourite interiors of any new car. Not because it’s especially exciting to look at, but because it’s solidly built and easy to use. The metallic climate control knobs look and feel great, and I also like the fact that they sit close to me.
I’m quite a long human, so I sit quite far back in most cars which can result in the controls being just out of reach. This isn’t a problem in the Civic though, everything falls easily to hand. The driving position is nice and sporty as well.
5. Dacia Duster
I have a real soft spot for the Dacia Duster, because it’s an honest and simple workhorse with a cool, rugged design. The interior may not feel all that posh, but it’s certainly robust and easy to use.
Most car makers strip their cabins of buttons to save money, but that hasn’t stopped Dacia fitting one of the UK’s most affordable SUVs with simple, clearly-labelled buttons for the controls you use the most.
6. Kia EV3
You have to look carefully to see the buttons on the Kia EV3’s dashboard because they are so cleverly integrated, but once you know where to find them they are nice and simple to use.
The EV3 is also one of our favourite electric SUVs here at Carwow. You can get one with up to 375 miles of range, it’s spacious in the rear and the interior looks great as well – as long as you avoid the slightly sparse-looking entry-level model.
7. Toyota Yaris Cross
I tested the Toyota Yaris Cross when the updated version was released last year, and while it does nothing to set a petrolhead’s heart alight this small SUV is extraordinarily easy to live with thanks to the smooth, economical hybrid engine.
The interior is also easy to get to grips with thanks to the tactile buttons and switches. If I had one small gripe, some of the climate buttons are a touch small. But this is splitting hairs in what is otherwise a clear and simple cabin.
8. Fiat Grande Panda
The Fiat Grande Panda is a retro-styled small hatchback with plenty of personality, and the interior controls are equally old-school. It’s got proper buttons for the climate control, and you even get a flip key which you turn in the ignition. How 1990s is that?
With prices starting from under £20,000, and average savings of almost £1,200 through Carwow at the time of writing, the Fiat Grande Panda is a practical small car which is comfortable to drive and great value for money.
9. Volkswagen T-Cross
Any car which is available in a colour called “Rubber Ducky Yellow” is going to be a hit with me, and the Volkswagen T-Cross is a brilliant small SUV. I like how comfortable it is to drive, as well as the cavernous practicality offered in such a small package.
Higher-spec versions of the T-Cross are marred by an annoying set of touch sliders for the climate controls, however this isn’t the case on the great value Match model. This one gets old-school rotary knobs, and it comes with plenty of kit for a reasonable price.
10. Mazda 3
When I tested the Mazda 3 and the BMW 1 Series side-by-side, I came away thinking that my money would go on the Mazda. It’s better looking, to my eye at least, it’s almost as fun to drive and the interior is a nicer place to spend time.
It has buttons on the dashboard as opposed to the BMW’s touchscreen-centric cabin, including a rotary dial for the infotainment system. These are becoming less common, but I prefer to use them on the move because you’re not trying to steady your finger on a screen as you go over bumps.
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