The Return of Physical Buttons: Euro NCAP 2026 Safety Standards

The era of burying every car function inside a touchscreen is hitting a massive roadblock. For years, designers have prioritized sleek glass panels over tactile feedback, but safety regulators are finally pushing back. It turns out that fumbling through menus at 70 mph isn't just annoying—it's dangerous.

Euro NCAP Physical Buttons 2026: Why Tactics Matter

According to the Euro NCAP, from 2026, vehicles will lose points in safety assessments if basic controls aren't assigned to separate, physical switches. This move is mirrored by ANCAP in Australia and New Zealand, signaling a global shift toward driver distraction prevention.

The trend of "screenification" saw wheels grow from 16 inches to 20 inches to mask heavy EV batteries, while dashboards became wall-to-wall monitors. However, regulators now demand that critical functions like hazard lights, wipers, and indicators stay right where they've always been: within physical reach.

The Death of Piano Black and Aesthetic Clutter

It's not just buttons coming back; frustrating materials are on their way out. Jochen Paesen, a lead designer at Kia, noted that the industry is moving away from piano black trim. While it looks great in brochures, it's a magnet for dust and fingerprints in the real world. Manufacturers are realizing that customers hate the constant maintenance and glare associated with high-gloss plastics.