Polestar Returns to Physical Controls: More Accessible and Safe During Driving

Polestar prepares for a radical change in the interior setup of its electric vehicles. After years characterized by a strongly minimalist approach focused almost exclusively on the central touchscreen, the brand has decided to bring greater attention to physical controls and usability during driving.

The decision stems from direct feedback from customers, who highlighted several issues related to the everyday use of completely touch interfaces. According to what emerged, many users are asking for more immediate controls for the main functions of the car, without having to navigate continuously through the digital menus of the central display.

The first model to benefit from this update will be the Polestar 3. The electric SUV currently utilizes four touch surfaces lacking dedicated physical indicators for managing cruise control and displays. This solution is consistent with the brand's clean aesthetic but has received numerous criticisms for its limited intuitiveness during use while driving.

A similar situation had already occurred with other manufacturers. A notable case is that of the Golf VIII, the latest model of the sedan signed by Volkswagen, which, just a few years after its debut, underwent a redesign, which among the changes included the elimination of touch buttons from the steering wheel, a solution that was deeply criticized by customers.

Starting next year, therefore, new controls on the steering wheel will arrive, designed to improve ergonomics and speed of access to essential functions. Polestar’s goal is to reduce the time required to interact with the central display, with clear benefits in terms of usability and, above all, safety.

The revision will not only affect the interior hardware. The company is also working on resolving the software issues reported on the already delivered vehicles. These include malfunctions of the digital key detected on the first units of Polestar 3.

The manufacturer identifies model year 2026 as a crucial phase for integrating all the changes already developed. Alongside hardware interventions, over-the-air (OTA) updates will also continue, allowing for faster distribution of fixes and optimizations.

On the ADAS front, the company has taken a clear stance. Polestar does not seem inclined to chase announcements related to advanced autonomous driving in the short term. The priority instead regards more reliable, less invasive assistance systems that are genuinely useful in everyday use.

In the next two years, the brand will launch four new models: Polestar 5 GT, Polestar 4 summer, Polestar 7 crossover, and the new generation of Polestar 2. This range will more clearly showcase the new approach to interiors, with a more balanced minimalism and greater attention to the real practicality of controls.