Euro NCAP 2026: 5-star safety ratings now require physical buttons for key functions. Learn why VW and BMW are ditching touchscreens to reduce driver distraction.
Automakers will no longer be able to achieve the maximum safety rating of five stars if essential vehicle functions are not available via physical buttons or levers.
These are new requirements introduced by the Euro NCAP safety committee and set to come into force in 2026.
The affected functions include turn signals, hazard lights, windshield wipers, the horn, and the emergency call system. The decision is based on crash statistics showing that searching for these functions within touchscreen menus distracts drivers during critical moments.
Major manufacturers such as Volkswagen and BMW have already confirmed the return of physical controls in future interior designs.
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