Mercedes Eliminated Steering Wheel Music Controls in Favor of Voice Commands for the New CLA.
Adam Ismail
The most significant automotive news and reviews, with no nonsense.
Our free daily newsletter delivers the stories that truly matter directly to your inbox every weekday.
Last week, I shared my impressions of the Mercedes-Benz CLA350, a compact electric sedan with solid mechanical attributes but hampered by odd ergonomic choices and usability issues that seem ill-conceived, along with a steep price tag. In that review, I pointed out the particular quirk that irritated me the most without going into detail, but I believe it deserves emphasis—if only to prompt Mercedes to rethink its decision and to dissuade other manufacturers from following suit.
The CLA350 features the latest version of the brand's MB.OS infotainment software, which, in many ways, is fairly intuitive and pleasant to use. Overall, the interface, from the digital instrument cluster to the central screen, feels less cluttered than previous iterations and operates quickly. Mercedes has also reduced the number of capacitive controls on the steering wheel and incorporated physical up/down toggle switches, which is certainly an improvement. However, in this redesign of the wheel controls and media system, one significant convenience has been lost: the ability to skip songs or radio presets using the steering wheel controls.
In essence, the only method for advancing through media in this vehicle is by tapping playback buttons on the infotainment screen—which, at least on the default home/map view, are quite small—or by using voice commands. Since I began reviewing vehicles professionally about eight years ago, I have never encountered a car that lacked this function via the steering wheel.
Adam Ismail
I was so taken aback that I genuinely thought I must have been doing something incorrectly until I perused the manual (which was entirely unhelpful), browsed Reddit, and ultimately received confirmation from Mercedes itself.
This was not always the case, however. Two years ago, I reviewed a 2024 Mercedes E350, another highly technological sedan. The E350's steering wheel playback controls were also somewhat limited, as the media widget had to be active on the instrument cluster to skip songs using the capacitive directional pad on the wheel. Odd and frustrating, but at least there was a way to do it. It seems Mercedes decided that even that was too much.
The specific reasoning behind this choice is unknown. Perhaps the designers intended to promote the use of voice commands, which I chose not to utilize for this purpose. I wouldn't be surprised; Mercedes, like many manufacturers, has poured substantial funds and resources into its digital voice assistant, enhancing it with AI for a more conversational interaction.
That said, I would argue that there is no technical barrier preventing Mercedes' software from being updated to reinstate this feature in models that currently lack it via an over-the-air update. I truly hope the company considers this, as I do not wish for this to mark the beginning of a new trend.
Adam Ismail
Have a news tip? Contact tips@thedrive.com
Other articles
Toyota Won't Substitute Every Recalled Tundra V6, and Some Owners Are Growing Frustrated
Toyota will rely on software instead of wrenches to determine which recalled Tundra vehicles require new engines.
How Toyota's First Le Mans Victory in Four Years Reflects the Spirit of Competition in the Race
Despite Ferrari's claims of an uneven Balance of Performance and the misfortunes of other teams—along with previous disappointments for the Japanese manufacturer—Toyota returned to Le Mans and achieved a legitimate victory.
Chevy Introduces New 350, 400, and 409 V8 Engines—Just Like Back in the Day
With the inclusion of the LS6 in the revamped Corvette, Chevy now offers three new V8 engines in its lineup, all with well-known displacements.
2027 Chevy Silverado Joins the Competition with Updated Small-Block V8s and New Design Features
The full-size Bowtie ventures into uncharted territory for half-ton trucks by featuring next-generation V8 engines, but there's little traditional about this vehicle.
Ford's $30,000 Electric Truck Is Real, and Here's Evidence of Its Existence.
Ford's "$30K electric pickup," reminiscent of a "Model T-moment," is set to arrive at dealerships next year, and the company is now releasing videos of prototype testing.
AMG Plans to Launch 27 New Vehicles Over the Next 3 Years, Beginning with V8 SUVs: TDS
The 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLS63 and GLE63S, both equipped with flat-plane V8 engines, herald a wave of new offerings from Germany's powerhouse of performance vehicles.
Mercedes Eliminated Steering Wheel Music Controls in Favor of Voice Commands for the New CLA.
The steering wheel of the new Mercedes CLA does not feature music controls, requiring you to use voice commands or touch the center screen to change songs.