Screens have gained more and more space inside modern cars. Adjusting the air conditioning, changing a station or modifying some vehicle functions now often depends on a touch surface. However, this technological transformation is beginning to raise doubts even among the manufacturers themselves.

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Toyota made it clear that it still does not consider that discussion closed. Although the new RAV4 opted for a much more digital cabin, the Japanese brand acknowledged that it continues to observe how customers react and does not rule out recovering some traditional controls if that improves the driving experience.

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The stance is striking because it comes when much of the industry continues to reduce the number of physical buttons in favor of larger screens.

Toyota will listen to the opinions of users

The sixth generation RAV4 featured a cleaner interior design, with a console dominated by a larger multimedia screen and fewer physical switches.

Despite this commitment, Toyota assured that it will continue analyzing the acceptance of the new system. In an interview with the Australian media Drive, Yoshinori Futonagane, chief engineer of the RAV4, left open the possibility of modifying the design if users demand it: "If it is necessary to reintroduce physical buttons for some functions, we will do so."

The industry is beginning to change its mind

Toyota is not the only brand reviewing this trend. Volkswagen also recently recognized that eliminating too many physical controls was not the best decision and began reintroducing them in several of its newer models.

Experience has shown that some functions are more easily operated using conventional buttons, especially when the driver needs to keep their eyes on the road.

Everything indicates that the future of interiors will not involve completely eliminating physical controls or relying exclusively on screens. The trend aims to find a balance between both solutions.

If Toyota finally changes the design of the RAV4 in future updates, the SUV could become another example of how the industry is reconsidering some decisions made in the race to digitalize the automobile.