First hitting the scene for the 2023 model year, the Cadillac Lyriq was the luxury marque’s very first foray into the all-electric vehicle segment, and, unsurprisingly, the crossover is loaded with forward-thinking technology features. That said, the Lyriq still includes a row of tactile, physical buttons for the vehicle HVAC controls. Although this setup provides a familiar and easy-to-reach control scheme, the question is this – how long will the Cadillac Lyriq incorporate physicals before it follows the trend towards fully digital command centers?
Cadillac Lyriq
Cadillac Celestiq FCC
For those readers who may be unaware, several recent Cadillac models, including the flagship Celestiq sedan, the all-electric Escalade IQ SUV, and the refreshed, ICE-based 2025 Escalade, all take a digital-first approach when it comes to the control scheme, incorporating what Cadillac dubs a Front Command Center (FCC) screen and Rear Command Center (RCC) screen. These command centers consolidate controls for HVAC, seat adjustments, and other functions into sleek touchscreens, effectively replacing traditional buttons with expansive, high-resolution displays.
Cadillac Escalade IQ
Cadillac’s command center setup also aligns with an industry-wide shift toward minimalist interiors that favor streamlined screens over physical controls. The appeal of these screens lies in their ability to declutter interiors and create a more immersive user experience, often tying into the vehicle’s infotainment system and extending the seamless digital interface many users are accustomed to in their daily tech. Given Cadillac’s recent trajectory, it seems likely that the Lyriq will eventually adopt the command center control scheme. As we’ve seen countless time before, the downward trickle of tech features from flagship models to lesser models has been a consistent theme, and the Lyriq certainly seems ripe for exactly that.
However, the trend away from physical buttons isn’t universally popular. Traditionalists appreciate the ease of reaching for a physical button without needing to look away from the road, which is a significant advantage in terms of usability and safety. But as younger generations grow more accustomed to touch-based interfaces in nearly every other area of life, the shift towards command centers could cater to this audience’s preferences.
Still, we want to know – do you prefer physical buttons or command center screens for vehicle controls? Let us know by voting in the poll below, and feel free to post your thoughts in the comments as well!
Comments
This blog has had a number of polls lately which is fun, but hasn’t solved one problem. There should be a way to check back and see the poll results so far without voting again.
How long until Cadillac realizes many customers have ditched them for not offering ICE or HEV options in their midsized and compact categories?
If gm is really committed to zero wrecks, physical buttons are the only option. Of course, saving some money seems to always win at gm.
I was leader of a GM Advanced Vehicle Engineering study group back around 2003 where we evaluated touch screens vs. buttons. Our decision was that touch screens had no tactile feedback and thus were too distractive to the driving process. Our decision was rejected by management (A low point in my career).
I now observe (with personal satisfaction) that European vehicles that are turning away from touch screens. Hopefully stateside auto manufacturers will soon see the light.
There are ways to give tactical feedback at the point of contact. Some smartphones have it, called haptic feedback. It is more expensive than a plain touchscreen, but it may be a better replacement for physical knobs.
Prefer (ok, REQUIRE) physical controls which can be used with gloves and not taking your eyes off the road. And row of tiny buttons along the bottom of the dash meets neither.
Dear Industry: I’m not buying a phone, I’m not buying a spaceship. I’m buying a VEHICLE, and it needs practical designs suitable for real-world use. Not this “futuristic” stuff that looks good in the studio but fails badly when taken outside.
Love my Lyriq, but the inability to open the glove box without going through the menu screen is the stupidest thing I have run across in a long time. Put a button on the darn thing!
Gm is an accident waiting to happen, they will do what they want even if customers are willing to pay extra. Losing life long customers. The gm way
Look at some of Ford’s vehicles that offer physical buttons, knobs, and levels, along with touchscreen and vocal commands.
Not that GM gives a rat’s * about what consumers want, e.g. see overwhelming negative comments about deleting CarPlay and Android Auto.
“….aligns with an industry-wide shift toward minimalist interiors that favor streamlined screens over physical controls.”
Funny, just a few weeks ago I read an article that the screen only trend is being reevaluated at several automaker’s advanced studios and is likely to be reversed back toward more physical controls…including buttons, etc. It’s in large part due to safety concerns. Gee, would’a guessed it?
The EU has already stated that vehicles with screen only controls will receive lower safety ratings than products with more physical controls after studying the issue.
For certain automakers however the allure of cost savings by eliminating physical controls in favor placing nearly everything on a screen will be too tempting. Customer preference or safety concerns being secondary considerations for them.