THE BREAKDOWN
- iDrive X ditches the rotary dial, and people are seemingly ok with it.
- BMW will retire the knob from all models in the coming years.
- The 2027 iX3 is the first BMW to feature the latest infotainment system.
The iDrive dial has been a staple of BMW interiors since the 7 Series (E65) debuted in 2001. However, it’s quietly fading away. You might not have noticed, but it has already disappeared from all compact models. On top of that, the 2027 iX3 ushers in an even more simplified dashboard, effectively putting the final nail in the knob’s coffin.
According to BMW, though, deleting the traditional selector isn’t an issue. The company’s Senior Vice President of UI/UX Development says early feedback from those who tested the new iDrive X suggests the rotary controller won’t be missed at all. Stephan Durach told TechRadar at CES 2026 in Las Vegas that users who tried the new iX3’s infotainment system aren’t asking BMW to revert to the old setup that dominated interiors for more than two decades.
'After using the technology, not a single person has requested that we return to the physical dial.'
Like most automakers, BMW insists that less is more by consolidating access to most functions within the touchscreen. Whether this is driven by minimalism, cost cutting, or a bit of both, we’ll probably never know. What we do know is that iDrive X signals an imminent future in which BMW dashboards are dominated by a central screen.
You’d better get used to the new user interface, because it’s coming to your favorite BMW sooner or later. iDrive X will spread across 40 new or facelifted models by the end of next year. Eventually, all will adopt the next-generation infotainment system, except for those nearing the end of their lifecycle. Relevant examples include the X4, Z4, and 8 Series, none of which will receive direct replacements.
Beyond phasing out the traditional iDrive controller, the German luxury brand has another reason to believe conventional controls are becoming obsolete. BMW claims its next-generation voice assistant, powered by Amazon Alexa+, delivers more human-like interaction, making conversations more intuitive when changing settings.
Motor1's Take: We’ll certainly miss the iDrive knob and the physical buttons used to access frequently adjusted functions. In its relentless push to declutter interiors and go fully digital, BMW has also eliminated the ability to adjust airflow via vent sliders, moving that function to the touchscreen. That omission, first seen on the iX and now on the iX3, won’t sit well with those of us past a certain age who still prefer “old-fashioned” controls.
I understand that in today’s tech-laden vehicles, screens are a necessity. Having physical buttons for every function is wildly unrealistic and would make car interiors resemble an airplane cockpit. However, going to the other extreme is equally misguided. Reducing reliance on touch inputs by offering physical shortcuts for some key functions would satisfy both the smartphone generation and older drivers alike. It's all about balance...
