For years, the rule seemed simple: more screens, more touch controls, more electric power, fewer buttons, and no diesel. That mood is now turning. Safety requirements, frustrated drivers and shifted EU targets are pushing car manufacturers into a U-turn that would have seemed unthinkable not long ago.
From touchscreen euphoria to the return of real buttons
Recently, almost every new car arrived with an oversized touchscreen and, often, hardly any traditional switches. Climate control, heated seats, drive modes - everything buried in menus. It looks sleek in the brochure, but it is irritating in a traffic jam. That is exactly where the change of direction begins.
"New crash-test rules are rewarding real buttons again - if you rely only on touch, you lose stars."
Euro NCAP, the crash-test organisation, will in future set minimum requirements for physical controls. Brands that move everything into the display risk losing points in the rating, because tapping through menus means eyes off the road.
For buyers, this signals something concrete: upcoming models will bring back rows of buttons on the centre console. Industry sources say several marques plan to offer volume control, climate settings and key assistance features permanently as buttons or rotary dials again.
Why buttons suddenly feel desirable again
- Usable by touch alone: A temperature dial can be found and turned without taking your eyes off the road.
- Less distraction: Menus hide functions; buttons put them one press away.
- More robust day to day: Greasy fingers, glare on the screen, wet hands - a button still works.
- Greater acceptance among older drivers: Many long-time motorists never truly got on with touch-only operation.
That makes the push towards total digitisation look like an overreach. The technology is staying - it is simply taking half a step back.
Diesel: written off - and yet in demand again
For a long time, diesel looked politically and emotionally finished. After the emissions scandal and driving bans, few groups wanted to champion it openly. Now, of all things, a major European manufacturer is taking the opposite tack: diesel models for private customers will remain in the line-up and are even set to expand.
The reasoning is straightforward. Anyone covering a lot of long-distance miles still values low consumption and strong range. Many high-mileage drivers see today’s compliant diesels - with particulate filters and exhaust aftertreatment - as a practical answer, particularly while rapid charging remains expensive and patchy.
"Diesel is not coming back as a hero, but as a sober response to range anxiety and high electricity prices."
There is also a policy backdrop: the EU has softened its strict requirement for a complete ban on new combustion-engine cars from 2035. That reduces pressure in the system and creates room for transitional technologies.
Hybrid platforms instead of an electric-only doctrine
A few years ago, many manufacturers proudly announced they would develop only pure EV platforms. Now several are rowing back. One example is collaborations that combine battery-electric cars with a small combustion engine as a range extender.
This allows longer trips without hours spent stopping to charge. Technically, the car remains electric; the extra engine acts as a generator rather than a conventional drivetrain. For drivers wary of fully electric models, it can feel like a safer intermediate step.
The end of flush door handles and other design gimmicks
Another sign of the shift: retracting door handles - long a symbol of futuristic design - are disappearing from many spec sheets. Originally, they were presented as aerodynamically smart and visually “clean”. In everyday use, however, doubts have grown.
- Winter issues: Ice can jam the mechanism.
- Accidents: In an emergency, rescue services may find it harder to access the handles.
- Real-world usability: Owners complain about delays and failures.
Several Chinese brands that introduced the concept at scale are now reverting to conventional handles. What looks spectacular at a motor show is not always the best idea on the school run.
Car manufacturers revisit the family MPV and the simple city runabout
Alongside this, concepts are resurfacing that echo the pragmatic compact people carriers of the 1990s: generous space, a higher seating position and flexible interiors. Some brands are exploring whether a modern MPV with electric or hybrid power might suit family life better than a tall SUV on huge wheels.
There is also renewed interest in small, straightforward city cars with limited complexity. Inspired by ultra-compact Japanese models, engineers see an opportunity to reduce the burden of regulations and build cars that do not take up more room in town than necessary.
"Less gimmickry, more everyday usability - especially in city centres, the desire for simple, lightweight cars is growing."
High-tech moves into the background: progress without the show
While visible trends such as touchscreens and styling tricks are being toned down, the quieter revolution continues at full speed. Driver-assistance systems are becoming more capable, sensors more precise and software more intricate. The industry is working intensely on highly automated driving functions - but it remains uncertain when they will reach the mass market.
Insiders expect a period of advances and retreats. Some pilot programmes will fail, and legal questions will stay unresolved. Customers should be prepared for the path to self-driving cars to arrive in stages, with trial launches, roll-backs and fresh attempts.
What this means for buyers
| Area | Trend | Impact for drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Controls | Return of buttons | Easier operation, less distraction |
| Powertrain | More variety, incl. diesel and range extenders | Wider choice depending on driving profile |
| Design | Fewer show effects, more function | Better everyday usability, clearer control logic |
| Assistance | Steady expansion in the background | More support, but also more complexity |
Why this change of heart is happening now
Several developments are converging: tougher safety requirements, criticism from consumer groups and testers, higher electricity prices, slow progress on charging infrastructure, and growing scepticism about overloaded cockpit tech. At the same time, manufacturers have realised they have been chasing one another rather than offering clear, credible solutions of their own.
The old reflex was: if it looks fashionable at a rival, copy it quickly. That is how enormous screens, deeply nested menus and interiors that seemed premium but proved awkward came about. Now it is becoming clear how risky blind herd behaviour is in a safety-critical product like a car.
A chance for more honesty in car design
If buttons return, diesel continues under clearly defined conditions, and small cars are taken seriously again, that also reflects a cultural shift. A car does not have to be a constant status symbol; it can once again be a tool, a means of transport and an everyday companion.
Terms like “range extender” or “partially autonomous driving” sound technical, but their effects are very tangible: with a range extender, you drive electric in daily life and refuel only for long journeys. With strong assistance systems, the car supports you in fatigue or stop-start traffic, while you remain legally responsible. That kind of nuance demands clear communication - and vehicles that actually deliver on those promises in real life.
For buyers, it is more worthwhile than ever to look beyond screens and headlight styling. What will matter is how easily the car can be operated, how relaxed long journeys feel, and how well it fits your life - whether with diesel, a battery, or something in between.
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