Lexus Capacitive Multi-Function Steering Wheel Buttons are a Mess
Are Lexus capacitive multi-function steering wheel buttons as bad as the old ‘trackpad’ infotainment controllers?
To the credit of its many brilliant designers and engineers, Lexus spends a massive amount of time thinking about drivers. Engagement and ergonomics and safety are all paramount. Along those lines, last week, we covered its new e-Latch electronic door handles; turns out, they are actually a noble bit of engineering to improve mobility and safety efforts. However, on the flip side, we have the Lexus capacitive multi-function steering wheel buttons that are, in our humblest opinion, a bit of a mess in terms of form, function, and execution.
What Are Lexus Capacitive Multi-Function Steering Wheel Buttons?
Lexus multi-function buttons (right) vs previous generation RC F steering wheel (left).
Lexus’ new capacitive multi-function steering wheel buttons debuted in the new NX and the Lexus Interface infotainment system. The system requires and integrates into the optional head-up display. Instead of fixed and labeled steering wheel buttons with a singular function — volume up/down, next/previous track, etc. — the new wheel only shows arrows on its toggle switches as well as two buttons (the ones that look like stacked pages) for toggling between different button function configurations.
The goal here is admittedly clever. Instead of one button that does one thing, why not make the buttons programmable and customizable? So on one screen, they perform one task. But if one toggles to a second screen, via the stacked-pages button, one has access to additional functions that don’t have to be buried in a menu somewhere.
Driver controls like the steering wheel switches, available head-up display (HUD), available navigation and audio have been designed in a functional, concise layout to minimize driver distraction.
The other benefit is that, because it’s integrated with the head-up display that projects information onto the front windshield, drivers are able to access information while their eyes are up and road-facing.
All good stuff, on paper at least. But in practice…
They’re a Bit of an Ergonomic Mess
Steering wheels need to be all about feeling. Actions translated via muscle memory and buttons with distinct textures and locations. They need to be simple and tactile and, once learned, forgettable. The last thing you want is drivers taking their eyes off the road to fiddle and adjust menu settings, gauge clusters, and various cabin control.
Think of an F1 race car or a Ferrari from the last decade. You can basically run every important vehicle function directly from the steering wheel without having to reach for a center console or scroll through a menu.
I applaud Lexus’ efforts here… But there are two major flaws.
First capacitive buttons. Which aren’t new, of course. They’ve been on numerous cars for years, and it’s how our smartphones, tablets, and modern infotainment screens work. But they’re also imprecise and laggy. Why do you think everyone needs ducking autocorrect on their phones? Because what we’re touching isn’t a tactile singular button; it’s an open space that gets translated by sensors. Sensors that don’t love things like damp fingers.
Adding capacitive buttons to steering wheels is relatively common, but also distances drivers from the direct connection offered by more privative, individual buttons.
Secondly, using the new multi-function Lexus steering wheel buttons is now more time-consuming.
You have to remember the button layout (as they aren’t labeled). And, once you’ve got that down, the buttons don’t actually work with one press. You have to, for lack of a better term, wake them up. So doing something simple like a volume bump, or clicking to the next track, takes at least two clicks if not more.
Further, because all of the information you’re accessing is on the head-up display, guess what you can’t see if it’s daytime and you’re wearing polarized sunglasses? That’s right, the head-up display. And, since the info you need isn’t redundantly displayed elsewhere, you’re faced with a choice — remove your sunglasses, guess what button you’re pressing, or, if applicable, reach over to the Lexus Interface infotainment screen. This same frustration also applies and is amplified on the secondary function pages (those ones you had to toggle the ‘stacked-pages’ button to access).
Lexus is Not Alone
Audi Q4 e-tron vs Audi RS e-tron GT.
Again, capacitive buttons aren’t new tech. But they do seem to be getting worse. And Lexus isn’t alone in pushing for added steering wheel button features. Take a look at the two wheels above. On the left, the brand new Audi Q4 e-tron Prestige spec steering wheel. Very similar to the Lexus approach in terms of feeling and directness (even though they are all one-function). On the right, a variation on Audi’s best steering wheel. This one’s from the mid-six-figure RS e-tron GT, but the button layout could be from any number of Audi vehicles.
In our humblest opinion Audi’s phyiscal buttons offer some of the best ergnomics in the industry, blending well-placed buttons and a pair of clicky-scrolly dials in key places. It’s exactly what one would want in a diver-focused vehicle, which, again, is something Lexus tends to prioritize.
Final Thoughts
In the land of First World Problems, imperfect steering wheels aren’t very high on the list of things to fix. Plus, generally speaking, we’re very open to new technology. And maybe, when you’re not a journalist that only has access to vehicles for a few hours or days, it’s easier to learn as a vehicle owner.
But the point here is that, in spirit, the goal of any driver-focused company should be to improve ergnomics. Lexus is clearly obssessed with this. But in practise, especially on bright sunny days wearing sunglasses, the new multi-function steering wheel buttons and the head-up display actually take more effort to use with more opportunity for distraction.
In a sense, it feels like these new steering wheels are a backwards step, akin to creating a next generation infotainment trackpad (the one Lexus is currently phasing out across its new models).
Photographs by Michael S. Palmer
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