The 10 best new cars with physical buttons
September 24, 2025 by Jamie Edkins
Car changing is a big deal
News Editor Jamie Edkins has had enough of cars with touchscreen controls, so he鈥檚 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 鈥 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鈥檛 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鈥檛 be considered progress 鈥 I鈥檓 looking at you, Volkswagen ID7.
But there鈥檚 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鈥檝e driven which have physical controls for all the major functions, including climate control and media.
- Honda Civic
- Renault 5
- Dacia Duster
- Volkswagen T-Cross
- Audi A3
- Skoda Karoq
- Citroen C3
- Mazda 3
- Toyota Yaris Cross
- Kia EV3
1. Honda Civic
The latest Honda Civic has one of my favourite interiors of any new car. Not because it鈥檚 especially exciting to look at, but because it鈥檚 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鈥檓 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鈥檛 a problem in the Civic though, everything falls easily to hand. The driving position is nice and sporty as well.
2. Renault 5
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鈥檛 disappoint when I finally got behind the wheel. It鈥檚 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.
3. Dacia Duster
I have a real soft spot for the Dacia Duster, because it鈥檚 an honest and simple workhorse with a cool, rugged design. The interior may not feel all that posh, but it鈥檚 certainly robust and easy to use.
Most car makers strip their cabins of buttons to save money, but that hasn鈥檛 stopped Dacia fitting one of the UK鈥檚 most affordable SUVs with simple, clearly-labelled buttons for the controls you use the most.
4. Volkswagen T-Cross
Any car which is available in a colour called 鈥淩ubber Ducky Yellow鈥 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鈥檛 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.
5. Audi A3
If you鈥檙e 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鈥檚 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.
6. Skoda Karoq
Skoda is known for its no-nonsense approach to practicality, and I鈥檝e always loved it for that. I actually owned a Mk1 Octavia vRS, but if you鈥檙e after a new family SUV then the Skoda Karoq is one of the best. It may not be exciting, but it鈥檚 hugely spacious, comfortable and cheap to run.
It also has a really simple interior layout with proper buttons. I鈥檒l also give a shoutout to the new Skoda Superb and Kodiaq, which both use the brand鈥檚 new 鈥淪mart Dials鈥 which can toggle between functions by pressing them. It鈥檚 a great way to incorporate loads of features into a small interface, while still being easy to use on the move.
7. Citroen C3
The Citroen C3 is a great small car if you鈥檙e 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鈥檚 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.
8. Mazda 3
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鈥檚 better looking, to my eye at least, it鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檙e not trying to steady your finger on a screen as you go over bumps.
9. Toyota Yaris Cross
I tested the Toyota Yaris Cross when the updated version was released last year, and while it does nothing to set a petrolhead鈥檚 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.
10. Kia EV3
You have to look carefully to see the buttons on the Kia EV3鈥檚 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 莲花直播. You can get one with up to 375 miles of range, it鈥檚 spacious in the rear and the interior looks great as well 鈥 as long as you avoid the slightly sparse-looking entry-level model.
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