Next generation Hyundai interior to retain physical buttons

Hyundai will launch the first of its next-generation interiors in 2026, the brand’s vice president of design, Simon Loasby, told our sister publication Autocar UK. To prioritise safety, physical buttons in the cabin will continue to be offered, and the touchscreen may become smaller and run on an easier-to-use OS, Loasby added while speaking at the Seoul Mobility Show.

1. A balance of physical buttons will be there
2. Hyundai is also working on the interiors of new N-badged cars

Hyundai’s focus on safety

Physical buttons minimise distraction

“Our vision for our next-generation interiors [is that] the safest way is to keep the driver’s eyes on the road as much as possible…With this philosophy in mind, we quite quickly realised that the central screen is actually just a distraction. So, you really don’t want people to look at the screen; you want them to look at the eye level,” he said.

By having physical buttons on the steering wheel, the driver can very quickly glance at the frequently used functions or even adjust them without looking away from the road. “The infotainment display [will be there, too] as it offers extra layers you can go into,” stated Loasby while emphasising that a balance of physical buttons will be established.

Hyundai design boss Luc Donckerwolke interview

Screens shouldn’t force drivers to enter sub menus: Design head

Also speaking to Autocar UK, Hyundai’s design boss Luc Donckerwolke said that finding the correct screen size and making it usable will also be a key part of the next-generation cabins. “It is always a part of the balance between having the right screen that provides you with the information in a size that allows you to concentrate on driving… At the same time, we have to make sure the screens are not forcing you to go into a sub-menu for operations that only required buttons before. So, it’s always not over-killing it. If you rely only on screens, you tend to go away from… hands on the steering wheel and the eyes on the road, which is, for me, the most important factor of security safety,” he stated further.

Hyundai N cars to get more buttons

Hyundai is also working on the design and layout of future N models, which are performance-focused. “When it comes to N, we put more on the steering wheel because if I’ve got gloves on, I can’t use the touchscreen.” These may include the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and the upcoming Ioniq 6 N. In the next one or two generations, the car industry will see a return of the analogue and reduction of screens,” mentioned Donckerwolke.

Last month, Volkswagen affirmed that all its upcoming cars will have a more analogue cabin. Reportedly, the German carmaker has been catching flak in recent years over shifting major controls to the touchscreen.