The Cadillac Lyriq is the luxury marque’s first foray into the all-electric landscape, delivering a new exterior design, a new interior, and a boastful of forward-thinking tech features. We’d like to direct your attention to the Lyriq’s climate control panel, which is comprised of a row of physical up-down switches located within the center stack. Similar to the marque’s current generation of internal combustion models, this configuration is quite nice to look at and use/operate, but we can’t help but wonder if it’s long for this world.
That’s because several Cadillac models have ditched buttons in favor of Front and Rear Command Centers. These command centers are displays that take a digital-first approach when it comes to consolidating controls, such as for the vehicle’s HVAC and other functions. This is the approach taken by the Escalade IQ, Celestiq, and even the refreshed 2025 Escalade.
Cadillac Lyriq interior currently features a row of physical buttons for climate controls
Perhaps the best indicator of what’s to come for the Lyriq is the recently-revealed Vistiq – which features the same platform and wheelbase as the Lyriq, and whose cockpits are almost identical. Much like the models listed above, the Vistiq ditches the row of climate controls for a Forward Command Center screen.
Cadillac’s command center trend follows an industry-wide shift that involves removing physical buttons from the vehicle interior and replacing them with screens and displays. The appeal of these displays lies in their ability to declutter interiors, while also reducing the quantity of chips needed when building a vehicle. The draw here is obvious given that each button or set of buttons necessitates a controller or chip, whereas a screen needs just chip, albeit a more powerful one. Given the disruptive force of the chip shortage stemming the COVID-19 pandemic, it would seem that Cadillac (and other automakers) are killing two birds with one stone by moving to displays for climate controls.
Considering the marque’s recent model launches, it’s likely that the Lyriq will eventually adopt this digital arrangement, reflecting the trend of tech from flagship models trickling down to other (lesser?) vehicles. The Cadillac Lyriq can very well be next, perhaps gaining command centers for the vehicle’s expected refresh.
On the flip side, shying away from physical buttons isn’t universally popular. Traditionalists appreciate the ease of reaching for fixed switchgear without breaking eye contact from the road, which is always the safer thing to do. However, as younger generations become acclimated to touch-based interfaces in every aspect of life, Cadillac’s command centers may be their first preference.
Do you prefer physical buttons or command center screens for climate controls? Vote for your preference in the poll below and share your reasoning in the comments section.
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Raymond J Ramirez
If GM develops a haptic type touch screen which gives a vibrative feedback at the exact touch contact as confirmation, then many of button fans can accept touch screens because it can be felt without needing a visual indicator as on a normal screen. It is also safer.
Steve
It is interesting in this article stating Physical Button require a “Chip”, “Controller” or “Microprocessor” to allow physical buttons. Just not that long ago, we had physical buttons and Did Not require the above mentioned items. The Electronics should have Reduced cost over the long run, however the automakers have “Jack-up” the cost of every make, model or option over the last 30 years or so! And Wait for it, the cost to repair or replace the said modules will be Huge or totally Unavailable do to Obsolescence.
Chris+Cummings
Buttons are there waiting. Screen controls might be 2 or 3 menus deep. And if you miss a button, you’re less likely to turn on/off something unrelated to your intended function.