September 24, 2025 by Jamie Edkins
News Editor Jamie Edkins has had enough of cars with touchscreen controls, so he’s compiled a list of his favourite new cars which still use proper buttons.
As a motoring journalist, I get to drive loads of new cars – and one of my biggest pet peeves is the increasing reliance on touchscreens to control everything. My Volvo EX30 daily driver has no buttons on the dashboard at all, and even the control to open the glovebox is on the screen.
I don’t want to come across as a crotchety old fart, shaking his fist at all this new-fangled technology, but sometimes old-school can be better. Poking around at a screen just to move the air vents instead of simply grabbing a knob can’t be considered progress – I’m looking at you, Volkswagen ID7.
But there’s good news, because there are still new cars out there with beautifully simple interiors, featuring simple buttons and dials which are easy to use on the move. These are my 10 favourite models I’ve driven which have physical controls for all the major functions, including climate control and media.
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.
I had been looking forward to driving the new Renault 5 ever since the concept was revealed back in 2021, and this funky little EV didn’t disappoint when I finally got behind the wheel. It’s fun to drive, cheap to run and it looks fantastic.
The retro-modern interior also features a neat row of rocker switches for all of the main climate controls, proving that you can still design a minimalist cabin while retaining proper buttons. The Renault does lose some points for putting the heated seat controls on the screen though.
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.
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.
If you’re after a posh German hatchback with proper buttons inside, your only options are the Audi A3 or the Mercedes A-Class. My money would be on the Audi, because the Merc has annoying touch-sensitive steering wheel controls and a cheaper-feeling cabin.
The A3 feels beautifully made inside, and the rocker switches for the climate are nicely integrated into the angular dashboard. It’s comfortable to drive as well. A BMW 1 Series may be more fun, but the Audi is more practical and easier to live with every day.
Skoda is known for its no-nonsense approach to practicality, and I’ve always loved it for that. I actually owned a Mk1 Octavia vRS, but if you’re after a new family SUV then the Skoda Karoq is one of the best. It may not be exciting, but it’s hugely spacious, comfortable and cheap to run.
It also has a really simple interior layout with proper buttons. I’ll also give a shoutout to the new Skoda Superb and Kodiaq, which both use the brand’s new “Smart Dials” which can toggle between functions by pressing them. It’s a great way to incorporate loads of features into a small interface, while still being easy to use on the move.
The Citroen C3 is a great small car if you’re after something affordable, comfortable and spacious inside. You can also choose between petrol, hybrid or electric models depending on what suits your lifestyle better. I prefer the way the electric e-C3 drives though.
The interior does feel a bit cheap in places, but that’s to be expected in an affordable model like this. It also has neat rocker switches for the climate control, and these are shared with the larger C3 Aircross, the Vauxhall Frontera and the new Fiat Grande Panda.
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.
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.
You have to look carefully to see the buttons on the Kia EV3’s dashboard because they are so cleverly integrated into the sleek dashboard, 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.
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