Car manufacturers are introducing more physical controls after criticism from consumers about screen-heavy designs.
That’s according to Euro NCAP, which has noticed in its latest round of safety testing that more cars are keeping things simple with a greater number of buttons.
Three new cars assessed by safety experts under Euro NCAP’s latest protocols – the Audi Q7, Kia EV2 and Xpeng X9 – show the differences in approach by manufacturers.
Euro NCAP says that while the Q7 has got ‘simple, intuitive and ultimately safe’ controls, the X9 ‘relies too heavily on touchscreen technology’.
Euro NCAP’s testing procedures require ‘key driving controls’ such as indicators, hazard warning lights and wipers to be operated via a physical input or control rather than operated via touchscreen.
Volkswagen Group has faced criticism for its lack of buttons and appears to be addressing this, with the Q7 scoring 90 per cent for driving controls thanks to buttons and stalks athat are’ clearly visible and ergonomically sited’, according to Euro NCAP.
Dr. Aled Williams, programme director, Euro NCAP, said: Euro NCAP is continually monitoring market trends, and the move toward placing as many driving controls within a car’s touchscreen system is one that has concerned us just as much as it has annoyed consumers.
“It is clear in these results that the Xpeng adheres to the mantra that everything must be included in the touch screen, despite overwhelmingly negative feedback by European car buyers.”
Euro NCAP says that its latest round of testing has shown ‘clear differences’ between cars made by European manufacturers and Chinese carmakers, with the exception of Geely’s EX2. Cars like the BMW iX3 have recently scored 100 per cent for driving controls, whereas the Leapmotor B05 has fallen behind in this area with a score of 0 per cent.
