With new regulations in effect overseas and customers still bored with touchscreens, automakers are finally starting to reduce touchscreen overload. Even Polestar—a brand that launched with nearly every function crammed into one big screen—will soon bring physical buttons to its cabin.
The company’s head of design, Philipp Römers, recently confirmed via an online webcast (as first reported by our colleagues at Inside EV) that future models will feature more buttons and tactile knobs. This is a big change for a brand that has long leaned towards a minimalist, screen-heavy aesthetic.
Polestar 3 Performance Interior
Photo by: Polestar
However, the timing is not surprising. New European safety standards from Euro NCAP now require certain physical controls for a vehicle to earn a five-star rating. China—another key market for Polestar—is also starting to tighten regulations around touchscreen-heavy interiors.
In addition to adding physical controls, Polestar also plans to update its infotainment system. The brand will continue to use Android Automotive, but with expanded personalization options designed to make the experience feel more customized.
The interior design itself also gets attention. Römers said new colors and materials are being developed for models like the Polestar 3 and 4, which currently only offer shades like grey, white and black.
These changes are part of Polestar’s broader efforts to turn things around. The automaker recently teased what it calls “the biggest offensive model in the company’s history,” which includes the updated Polestar 4, updated Polestar 2, and the announcement of the all-new Polestar 7. Meanwhile, the Polestar 6—which was originally expected to debut this year—has been delayed.
All signs indicate that Polestar is moving in the right direction.
Motorcycle Pickup1: Adding physical buttons and introducing more interior options is a solid first step. But to truly establish itself as a serious competitor in the luxury electric vehicle space, Polestar needs to deliver a truly compelling next-generation product—something the brand says it’s already in the process of.
