A new Swedish study has found that drivers are spending more time distracted by in-car controls than they did just four years ago. The 2026 test, conducted by Vi Bilägare, compared how quickly drivers could complete common infotainment tasks in ten different vehicles, revealing that interface design plays a bigger role than the number of physical buttons or screens.
How the Test Was Conducted
Swedish publication Vi Bilägare repeated its 2022 driver-distraction test in 2026, measuring how long it took drivers to complete four routine infotainment tasks while maintaining 110 km/h (~68 mph) on a closed airfield. Each car was tested by two drivers, who were given time to familiarize themselves with the vehicle beforehand. Voice control was excluded due to inconsistent functionality across models.
The tasks included turning on the seat heater while increasing cabin temperature and activating the defroster, switching radio stations, resetting the trip computer, and dimming the instrument lighting while turning off the center display. Testing took place at Lunda Airport near Uppsala, with partly cloudy skies and a temperature of 12°C (~54°F).
Key Findings: Design Over Button Count
On average, drivers covered 813 meters (~2,667 feet) before completing the tasks in 2026, up from 756 meters (~2,480 feet) in 2022. This means drivers spent about two extra seconds with their attention diverted from the road compared to four years ago.
The Volvo XC60 stood out for its intuitive interface, allowing drivers to finish the tasks in just 485 meters (~1,591 feet). In contrast, a 2016 Volvo V60 with a button-only setup required 863 meters (~2,831 feet). The Mazda CX-60, which locks out its touchscreen while driving and relies on 50 physical buttons, took the longest—37 seconds and 1,137 meters (~3,730 feet).
Tesla’s Model Y, with only four physical buttons and most functions handled through the display, performed better than the Mazda, highlighting that layout and interface design matter more than simply having more buttons or screens.
Competitor Comparison
Other vehicles in the test included the Mercedes CLA, which took 35 seconds to complete the tasks, partly due to a 19-second startup lag before the display accepted input. Skoda’s entry, blending knobs and a touchscreen, finished in 18 seconds and 542 meters (~1,778 feet). The Toyota Corolla Cross required 580 meters (~1,903 feet) for an instrument-lighting adjustment buried deep in its menus.
Screen placement and size also varied: the Volvo XC60 required a 35-degree gaze drop to view the display, while the MG Marvel R in 2022 demanded a 56-degree drop. The Nissan Qashqai’s display has grown from nine inches to 12.3 inches since its last test appearance.
Why this matters
The results suggest that the way infotainment systems are designed has a direct impact on driver distraction, regardless of whether controls are physical or digital. As vehicles become more technologically advanced, ensuring that drivers can quickly and safely interact with controls is increasingly important for road safety.
With drivers now spending more time distracted by in-car tasks than in previous years, the findings highlight the need for automakers to prioritize intuitive, user-friendly interfaces over simply adding more features or buttons.
What this means for buyers
Buyers should pay close attention to the layout and usability of infotainment systems when choosing a new vehicle. Test-driving models and trying out common tasks can help identify which vehicles offer safer, more intuitive controls.
As regional availability and interface designs can vary, it’s worth checking if the model sold in your market matches the tested configuration. Those prioritizing safety and ease of use may want to consider vehicles like the Volvo XC60 or Skoda, which performed well in the distraction test.
Key Specs
- Test Speed: 110 km/h (~68 mph)
- Average Distance to Complete Tasks (2026): 813 meters (~2,667 feet)
- Average Distance to Complete Tasks (2022): 756 meters (~2,480 feet)
- Volvo XC60 (2026) Task Distance: 485 meters (~1,591 feet)
- Mazda CX-60 Task Distance: 1,137 meters (~3,730 feet)
- Mazda CX-60 Button Count: 50
- Model Y Button Count: 4
- Sample Size: 10 vehicles
Source
Images sourced from: carscoops.com, siddillon.com, tulleymazda.com
