IN A VICTORY FOR COMMON SENSE, Kia has announced it will continue to use physical buttons in its next generation of vehicles.

Like all car companies, Kia will be increasing the level of technology and moving towards ever-larger screens, but has promised to continue offering physical shortcuts for the most commonly accessed controls, such as volume, radio tuning, media modes, climate control temperature settings, fan speed, hazard lights and favourites.

It is definitely swimming against the tide, with many of Kia’s rival’s increasingly relying on touchscreens to control many of the car’s functions.

We’ve said it often, but having to navigate your way deeper and deeper into sub-menus to carry out a function that used to be as simple as turning a knob can be immensely frustrating and distracting.

Reverting to physical buttons and switches is not only more logical, but safer as well.

We hope other manufacturers come to a similar conclusion.