Mazda’s All-New CX-5 Ditches Physical Buttons for 15.6-Inch Touchscreen, Prioritizing Safety

Mazda has unveiled the interior design of its next-generation CX-5, featuring a nearly button-free center console and a 15.6-inch infotainment screen. Koichiro Yamaguchi, CX-5 project leader, stated that this move isn't merely aimed at cost reduction but is primarily driven by safety considerations. He explained that large touchscreens are safer than traditional physical controls because frequently used functions like climate control, if operated via physical buttons, would need to be placed lower on the dashboard. This forces drivers to look down and distinguish among multiple similar-looking buttons—a significant distraction. Integrating controls into the screen minimizes the need for drivers to shift their gaze away from the road. Common functions such as air conditioning settings are now fixed at the bottom of the screen for easy access. Yamaguchi acknowledged that users may need time to adapt to the new interface layout initially, but once accustomed, they can operate it blindly with minimal impact on driving focus. He added that Mazda will consider reintroducing more physical buttons in the future based on customer feedback. Additionally, the Mazda6e and CX-6e models also adopt a similar minimalist dashboard design centered around a large touchscreen.