Mazda is finally introducing touchscreens to its cars after refusing to do so for years

Fans of the beloved automaker will be pleased to hear that Mazda is finally introducing touchscreens to its cars after refusing to do so for years.

The company has always prided itself on being different, keeping things simple and driver-focused while everyone else zeroed in on the biggest infotainment screens possible.

For years, it insisted that tapping on a display while driving was unsafe, forcing drivers to use a rotary dial instead.

Now, after more than a decade of standing firm, the automaker is finally giving in to modern tech. Starting with the 2026 CX-5, touchscreens are officially joining the lineup in a company-changing move.

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Finally! Mazda is bringing touchscreens to its cars

Beloved car manufacturer Mazda’s anti-touchscreen stance began in 2014 with its Mazda Connect infotainment system.

The company argued that physical controls reduced distraction, keeping eyes on the road and hands closer to the wheel.

That idea made sense at the time, but as other brands upgraded their in-car tech, Mazda’s setup started to feel outdated.

Drivers grew frustrated navigating menus using a dial and buttons, especially when every other car allowed quick taps and swipes.

Features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were harder to use, and reviewers called the system clunky. The automaker held on, though, insisting it was safer, but customer feedback told another story.

Why did the company change its mind?

Mazda changed its mind because drivers were fed up with the rotary-dial system, competing brands were offering bigger, easier-to-use touchscreens, making Mazda’s setup look and feel like a relic from another age.

Modern features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Google integration also need touch input to work properly, and are features that drivers just expect these days.

The brand still values safety, but now believes touchscreens can coexist with physical buttons, so, in short, the beloved company finally adapted to what drivers and the market demanded.