Hyundai's New Interior Design Moves Towards Compact Screens and Increased Button Use

 Automobile makers are increasingly presenting themselves as technology firms. Companies such as Tesla, Rivian, and General Motors have spearheaded the movement towards exclusive infotainment systems, larger displays, quicker processing capabilities with video game-like graphics, and essential vehicle operations managed through touchscreens. This emphasis has resulted in neglecting safety, driver frustration, and general usability.

Hyundai is also part of the technological advancement trend. The company recently introduced its exclusive Pleos Connect infotainment system, which is set to be featured in vehicles beginning in 2026. Nevertheless, Hyundai designers shared with Autocar insights about their next-generation interiors, indicating that they intend to retain physical controls and might aim to reduce the prominence of the touchscreen in the driving experience.

Main Points

• Numerous companies are designing interiors focused on touchscreens
• Large displays can be irritating, distracting, and not very user-friendly
• Hyundai is introducing a new infotainment system set for 2026
• The company states it will retain physical buttons
• And aim to strike a balance

Hyundai is retaining physical buttons in its interior designs.

Hyundai's design team shared with Autocar that their approach embodies a "philosophy of calmness," ensuring that technology does not overwhelm the driver. The cars will retain their physical controls, and there is a possibility of smaller touchscreens being introduced. Lead designer Luc Donckerwolke, known for his work with Genesis and Bentley, emphasized that Hyundai aims to achieve a harmonious balance in its next-generation interiors.

"Maintaining the right balance between having an appropriate display that delivers information in a size conducive to focusing on driving is crucial. At the same time, we must ensure that the screens don’t lead you into sub-menus for functions that previously just needed buttons. It’s about avoiding unnecessary complexity. Relying solely on screens can distract you from keeping your hands on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road, which I consider the most vital aspect of safety."

A key aspect of that balance is cost. Touchscreens have become more affordable and simpler to produce than designing and creating the molds and manufacturing processes for individual toggles and buttons. However, Donckerwolke believes we have reached the peak of screens in vehicles — a sentiment shared by other brands — and predicts a "return of the analog" within the next one to two generations from manufacturers.

Hyundai already achieves a good balance in its interiors.

If you want a brand that excels in balancing technology within its interiors, Hyundai is likely the best choice. The interiors, such as those in the all-new Santa Fe, are tidy, enjoyable, and user-friendly. The infotainment screens are specifically crafted for drivers, featuring a clearer landscape layout positioned just beneath the level of the windshield.

The display graphics are spacious and clear. Adjusting features like the drive mode in a Hyundai car is done with a single button mounted on the steering wheel, avoiding the distraction of navigating through sub-menus. We're thrilled to witness an infotainment system that has already aimed for equilibrium becoming even more user-friendly for drivers.

worldcars Opinion

Donckerwolke's perspective isn't particularly unexpected. In addition to cost benefits, the push for autonomous driving played a significant role in the adoption of large touchscreens. During the 2010s, product planners anticipated this technology would soon be available. They believed that as drivers transitioned from operators to primary occupants, they would require a sophisticated interface to manage a wider range of multimedia features. 

While Tesla continues to pursue self-driving vehicles, most other manufacturers have come to the realization that drivers will be in control for a while longer. It wouldn't be surprising if they returned to a more traditional, driver-centric approach to infotainment technology (ideally avoiding trackpads or click wheels).

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