Global and contextual vehicle computing system controls

The invention discloses global and contextual vehicle computing system controls. A system may include global controls, each associated with a different one of a plurality of user interface screens of a vehicle; contextual controls, each associated with a command function available from a selected one of the plurality of user interface screens; and a vehicle processor configured to display a current one of the plurality of user interface screens, and update command functions associated with the contextual controls responsive to user input to the global controls. A method may include, responsive to receiving an indication of a user input press of a global control, updating command functions associated with contextual controls in accordance with command function available from a user interface screen associated with the global control; and upon receiving a user input release of the global control within a predetermined threshold period of time, navigating to the user interface screen associated with the global control.