When I first sat down in the 2026 VW Jetta sent to me to test drive and review (the review's here, if interested) I couldn't figure out – at first – how to start it. I looked for but could not find the usual button to push to start the engine. I have become used to looking for a button to push because every new vehicle I have been sent to test drive/review for the past several years has had a button to push to start the engine.

This one didn't.

It has a key. Remember keys? Those things you inserted into the ignition switch and turned to start the engine? You have probably forgotten, too. Ignition keys are something like ashtrays and floor-mounted dimmer switches. Keys were last common about a decade ago. It was around that time that fobs began to replace keys. A fob is an electronic transmitter you carry in your pocket or purse. You don't have to take it out of your pocket or purse to start the car's engine. It transmits a signal to the ignition that enables the little button you push that sends the signal to the computer, which starts the engine.

The first cars that came with push-button ignition were race cars – because no one wants to fumble with a key when you're trying to race. But those cars didn't have fobs. Just the button (or switch) to start the engine. Race cars don't get left parked curbside – so there's little worry someone who's not the driver will jump in and take it for a drive.