AS CAR cabins have become increasingly screen-heavy, Renault has decided to buck the trend seen throughout the wider automotive industry, with physical buttons to remain in the brand’s interiors according to its Australian general manager Glen Sealey.
Speaking to local media at the Australian launch of the Renault Symbioz – which features a selection of physical controls for key functions in its cockpit – Mr Sealey said that buttons and physical controls are a “founding principle” for the French marque.
“Buttons have always been a founding principle for Renault,” he said.
“Renault is a brand for life, and keeping things simple, keeping your eyes on the road, and shortcut buttons are important.
“It’s easier to change your radio station, move your sources, change your volume, or (make changes) from your steering wheel.
“The brand’s often being criticised for that, saying it’s a bit odd and it’s a bit weird. But once you use it, it becomes invaluable in keeping your eyes on the road.”
Mr Sealey says that Renault’s focus on physical buttons is based around safety.
“The philosophy of the Renault brand is that safety comes from keeping your eyes on the road and your attention on the road,” he added.
“Not ‘you can have a fantastic 12.0-inch high-resolution screen that has menus in there over here that you’re always having to go over and touch’.
“The Renault philosophy is keep shortcuts as much as you can with buttons, which is more expensive, by the way, and also to utilise technology to make sure it’s simple, user friendly, and familiar.”
When asked if physical buttons would be around for the long haul, Mr Sealey went on to say they would be – as would voice control functions.
In the case of the latter, the recently launched Symbioz’ compatibility with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity, and Google Built-In services allows drivers to interact with Siri and Google’s own voice command function.
Screen-heavy interiors have come under increased scrutiny in the automotive industry in recent times.
Earlier this year, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) proposed regulation changes that would mandate the inclusion of physical buttons for key vehicle functions, including lighting, the horn, the vehicle on/off button, gear selection, ADAS features, wipers, window demisting, and emergency calling.
Independent safety body ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program), has had a similar response. In its factsheet regarding the 2026 changes to safety testing protocols, ANCAP stressed the importance of having physical controls available for drivers.
“It’s time to bring back buttons and stalks and remove some of the complication (and distraction!),” ANCAP’s factsheet reads.
“From 2026, we’re asking car makers to either offer physical buttons for important driver controls like the horn, indicators, hazard lights, windscreen wipers and headlights, or dedicate a fixed portion of the cabin display screen to these primary driving functions.”
Renault isn’t the only car manufacturer out of Europe that is prioritizing physical buttons.
As previously reported by GoAuto, Audi is shifting away from screen-focused interiors for its product line-up going forward, placing greater importance on tactile controls.
Some car makers have also bucked the trend of haptic touch buttons as opposed to traditional push buttons.
For example, physical steering wheel controls were reintroduced for the MK8.5 Volkswagen Golf after the haptic buttons used in its pre-facelift predecessor were met with heavy criticism.
At the top end of the market, Ferrari also made a similar move last year when it introduced the Amalfi to replace the Roma.
Earlier this year, the Italian performance marque also revealed a retrofit kit adding physical buttons to the Purosangue and 12Cilindri’s steering wheels.