Why flush car door handles could soon be banished

Volkswagen’s global boss has chimed in on an issue shared with many modern car owners: frustration over flush car door handles. 

Flush or pop-out door handles have been heavily popularised by EVs in particular over the past five years, lauded for their streamlined looks and improved aerodynamic efficiency. Tesla, Kia, Land Rover and Polestar are among the hordes of car brands to have embraced the trend. 

However, anyone who has spent time in a vehicle with flush door handles may have realised their impracticality, especially when you try to open a door while also holding a wriggling toddler or bags of shopping.  

Now, Volkswagen’s global chief executive, Thomas Schäfer, has told German outlet Deutsche Welle (DW) the carmaker is doing away with flush door handles in the future. 

"People expect some sort of familiarity with the vehicle, with the brand that they are buying into," Schäfer told DW. "Functions have to be easy, like door handles, for example. It’s all nice to have these flush door handles, but they are terrible to operate. So we definitely have proper door handles on the cars and customers appreciate it. It’s the feedback we’re getting."

The move comes after Volkswagen already pledged to banish haptic buttons inside their vehicles, which controversially replaced traditional buttons and switchgear – much to the dismay of customers. VW has pledged to move back to buttons and switchgear in future, and has already done so in the new Volkswagen Golf.  

Volkswagen’s backflip over flush door handles may not be isolated, either.

Reports have surfaced in China that regulators there are contemplating a ban on flush-fitting door handles on new cars from mid-2027.

Citing safety concerns, Car News China reports the potential ban would purportedly include fully concealed mechanical lever door handles as well as electronically retractable door handles. 

The concerns have arisen in part due to the operational suitability of said door handles in extreme weather conditions, including cold weather or malfunctioning when submerged in water.

Closer to home a similar issue is under the spotlight following an investigation by classified website, carsales, regarding internal door releases. Carsales found tens of thousands of vehicles have been sold in Australia without a mechanical backup for the internal door release, meaning their electric operation relies on a 12-volt battery to open which can be prone to failure.