Chinese Automakers Criticized for Over-Reliance on Touchscreen Controls
Euro NCAP safety body reports Chinese vehicles are more distracting to drive due to extensive touchscreen use, penalizing them in safety ratings.
European car manufacturers are reintroducing physical buttons to dashboards in response to driver and safety expert concerns, while Chinese automakers are increasingly embedding controls within touchscreen systems, making their vehicles more distracting, according to Europe's largest vehicle crash testing body.
Euro NCAP, the independent safety assessment organization, has introduced new criteria for its safety ratings that penalize vehicles lacking physical controls for essential functions. The organization stated that Chinese manufacturers are particularly prevalent in this trend as they aim to attract buyers with technologically advanced interiors.
Under Euro NCAP's Safe Driving assessment, critical controls such as indicators, windscreen wipers, hazard warning lights, the horn, and the eCall emergency button must be operable via a single physical button. Failure to comply results in a deduction of points, potentially affecting a vehicle's overall five-star safety rating.
Euro NCAP noted that this initiative stems from growing consumer criticism regarding the complexity and potential danger of operating integrated touchscreen systems, which research indicates can be more distracting than physical buttons. The organization's latest assessments have highlighted a divergence between European and Chinese manufacturers.
In a recent evaluation of three models—the Audi Q7, Kia EV2, and XPeng X9—Euro NCAP found the Audi Q7 and Kia EV2 to have simple, intuitive controls, with the Audi achieving a 90 percent score for driving-control usability. The XPeng X9, however, was criticized for relying too heavily on its central touchscreen, leading to a score of just 20 percent.
Established European brands like BMW and Cupra have also received high marks for retaining physical controls, with BMW's iX3 scoring a perfect 100 percent. In contrast, Chinese models such as the Zeekr 7GT and Aion UT scored only 20 percent, and the Leapmotor B05 received a zero for its driving controls.
Dr. Aled Williams, programme director at Euro NCAP, commented on the findings, stating, "It is clear in these results that the XPeng adheres to the mantra that everything must be included in the touchscreen, despite overwhelmingly negative feedback by European car buyers." He added that Audi and Kia's common-sense approach, which prioritizes the intelligent use of physical buttons to reduce driver distraction, is commendable.
Recent testing by What Car? magazine also revealed significant distraction times for drivers attempting to perform simple tasks on infotainment systems. Some vehicles required up to 81 seconds to change a radio station. The magazine's survey indicated that 85 percent of motorists believe car infotainment systems should feature more physical buttons. Luxury brands like Mercedes have also drawn criticism, with models like the S-Class featuring a 55.5-inch Hyperscreen, and even Volvo's EX30 EV requires touchscreen navigation for functions such as adjusting electric mirrors and activating the rear-window demister. These developments underscore a broader debate about balancing technological advancement with driver safety and usability.