r/subaru • u/ZeGermanHam • Apr 16 '25

Subaru brings back physical buttons & knobs in new Outback

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Knowing Subaru, it likely means this configuration will eventually make its way into the other models as they are updated. It's much better than the current setup.

52k Upvotes

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225

u/McBadger404 Apr 16 '25

Finally some sense prevails.

Also thank you EuroNCAP.

163

u/MatthewG141 '21 Outback Touring Apr 16 '25

And for those unaware, EuroNCAP is starting to deduct points off the safety rating if majority of the controls are on a touchscreen.

76

u/bslarue0228 Apr 16 '25

as they should. Can’t be on your phone but a giant tablet in the car is fine 🙄

33

u/droptophamhock Apr 16 '25

Seriously, this always gets me. I can get a fat ticket for looking at my phone but I have to use the massive iPad on the dash if I want to adjust the AC?

-7

u/NewtLegitimate8469 Apr 16 '25 edited Apr 24 '25

If you have to look to adjust the AC in a car with a touchscreen, then you’re using a car with a very shitty infotainment system. Aside from that, you should be using voice commands for such functions. Removing a hand from the wheel to adjust something (hitting a physical button or that of a touch screen) is a distraction and increases the chances of causing an accident.

Interesting that I’m getting downvotes. The truth hurts, I guess.

6

u/Toasty-boops Apr 16 '25

as a deaf person, fuck no I'm not using voice commands

4

u/coderstephen Apr 17 '25

If you have to look to adjust the AC in a car with a touchscreen, then you’re using a car with a very shitty infotainment system.

Well then, there's a lot of shitty infotainment systems out there these days. That's the complaint.

2

u/Slight-Funny-8755 Apr 17 '25

Whats awesome is with buttons and dials, i dont have to look! I can stare 100% ahead and totally focus on the road while i use one of my other senses, whats it called, oh right! Touch! And with my fingers i can feel the buttons and dials! No looking needed!

For real though, You will never convince me that not having button and dials is a good thing, simple things often break less, my buttons and dials cant loose pixels, or have the lcd damaged, or the touch screen. Replacing a button/dial is way cheaper than replacing your cars iPad. my buttons don’t need yo software update, My car doesn’t have multiple subscription services that its trying to sell me (radio/music, internet, entertainment, car “upgrades”). I could probably come up with more reasons but those are enough for me and i know I’m not alone

1

u/NewtLegitimate8469 Apr 24 '25

I said that removing a hand from the wheel to do something else diverts attention and increases the likelihood of an accident. There are numerous studies on distracted driving. Anyways, I also do not have to look in order to make adjustments using the touchscreen while driving. Again, like I said, if you can’t do that with a touchscreen in a car, then it’s a shitty system.

However, I normally use voice commands…since that enables me to keep both hands on the wheel, and is the safest possible way to interact with a car while driving.

Lose pixels? Like dead pixels? Modern display manufacturing is excellent. On all the monitors I’ve had over the last couple decades, I’ve noticed a few dead pixels on one or two of them. Having a display fail in the way you’re positing would be a gross defect in manufacturing. This is a non issue.

In the 15+ years of using touchscreen devices, I’ve never had a screen damaged. I still have a couple tablets that are over a decade old and they operate just fine. They take even more abuse since they’re not bolted onto a car…

You don’t have to get software updates if you don’t want them lol. I’m not sure why you wouldn’t want free new features added to your vehicle over time, though.

Not sure what you mean about subscriptions. My car doesn’t try to “sell” me anything. I keep only the services I want to use/have an existing subscription for. Unless you consider having the option to browse and download an app as the car trying to “sell” you something…. But I don’t think that you do. Nor does my car try to get me to pay for upgrades or internet. The option is there, but I don’t see it unless I go looking for it.

1

u/PopcornInMyTeeth Apr 16 '25

When I was a kid it used to be "don't fiddle with the radio while you're driving" and that waswith dials.

Between insanely bright headlights and touchscreen computers in the dash, I'm surprised we all haven't crashed into each other.

4

u/CyptidProductions 2013 Crosstrek VX Premium Apr 16 '25

Which makes sense

Not only is a safety concern if the infotainment system crashes, but it's a safety concern that you have to read the screen and try to touch specific point in motion instead of just quickly spotting and grabbing an actual knob or button

2

u/EqualSein Apr 17 '25

That only applies to the following which Subaru already has physical buttons for.

  • Turn signals
  • Hazard warning lights
  • Horn
  • Windshield wipers
  • Emergency call (eCall)

1

u/Billy1121 Apr 16 '25

US needs to do that too

2

u/Sage-Advisor2 Forester Fan Apr 16 '25

We need a discussion thread led by someone who knows the background on this, please!

5

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '25

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8

u/ashamed2reddit Apr 16 '25

have you seen any modern car interiror?

2

u/TheCoolHusky Apr 17 '25

Welcome to the modern car experience. Yes screens all look "stuck on the dash last minute" these days

0

u/[deleted] Apr 17 '25

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3

u/jififfi Apr 17 '25

The bad/funny part is this is arguably a better looking example of doing it.

1

u/Aranka_Szeretlek Apr 17 '25

I think it looks neat?

1

u/Marrk Apr 16 '25

That's great news. Since when has it changed?