Feelings about the 2026 CX-5 eliminating turbo and physical buttons?

[stickerbush]

Thinking off the top of my head here...is it possible that young people that grew up with smartphones might prefer touch screens? No, they are not a significant segment of the people that purchase new Mazdas now but at some point they will be.

 

[ADS-B]

You're screwed, is what. Some prototypes for the Apple Car had no steering wheel - !! I'll bet pilots have (let's say ...) "strong" opinions about replacing knobs with touch screens. Looking at this pic of the A380 cockpit, I imagine rephrasing that line of Jack Nicholson as the Joker: Where does he get all those wonderful knobs?
View attachment 344005
Beyond that ... buttons / knobs are safer and drivers seem to prefer physical controls (see Wired link I posted earlier -- 89% surveyed "preferred physical buttons.") I imagine that the screen-preference folks are not driving enthusiasts and just want what looks "good" and works well enough, and -- they are used to their phones / tablets. But it wouldn't take long, I'll bet, for those owners to miss knobs for volume, for interior temperature / fan, etc. The idea of digging through menus, noooo...

Future joint venture between Mazda and Airbus, 2040 Mazda CX-A320

 

[DarkskiesIL]

Future joint venture between Mazda and Airbus, 2040 Mazda CX-A320

Hey, I've been patient - where's my flying car? Just keep the knobs

 

[BoomerZoomr]

Thinking off the top of my head here...is it possible that young people that grew up with smartphones might prefer touch screens? No, they are not a significant segment of the people that purchase new Mazdas now but at some point they will be.

I am guessing that the move towards touch screens is because it’s cheaper to manufacture than making buttons, switches and knobs.
Years ago I saw that move with DSLR cameras. I much preferred to be able to adjust something directly on the back of the camera, vs going into a menu.

 

[Trip CX90]

We not only need buttons but good buttons. Something as simple as adjusting the mirrors in my CX90 is frustrating. The controls on the armrest are flat and indistinguishable from each other. I can’t adjust the mirrors without looking down to see what I clicked on. The round knob was so super intuitive to use …. Dial left right to choose side, dial straight down to fold mirrors, and push up down left right to adjust. And it took up lees space.

 

[Gozo]

I am guessing that the move towards touch screens is because it’s cheaper to manufacture than making buttons, switches and knobs.

I agree that the screens are cheaper when dealing with parts count and assembly time. Also, they look all modern and techy. And that stuff sells.
However, being a bit of an old guy, I like to spend most of my driving time looking out the windshield and keeping my eyes on the road, conditions, other vehicles, assorted random animals that might decide to jump out on the road, you know, stuff like that. Once I’m familiar with the car, it’s nice to just reach down without looking to adjust the heat or music or such.
It may only take 3 or 4 seconds to go through a menu choice or two but in that time I’ve missed 300’ or so of road stuff.

 

[N7turbo]

Devil's Advocate: the screen is also for your passenger to operate, and it will be a big upgrade for them.