Overview
- Under the new criteria, cars earn full points only if indicators, hazard lights, the horn, windshield wipers and the eCall system are operated by buttons or switches with haptic feedback.
- ADAC requires other vehicle functions to be accessible within one or two submenu steps to limit interaction time.
- In ADAC evaluations, the average score for controls slipped to 2.7 from 2.3 in 2019, and the weakest vehicle tested in 2025 received a 4.0.
- The move aligns with Euro NCAP’s 2024 push for physical controls on critical in‑car functions.
- ADAC advises drivers to learn menu layouts before first use and after software updates and urges manufacturers to reassess touchscreen‑first designs and which features belong in menus.