CarBuyer Infotainment Shootout

[FiestaST]

With the Infotainment system of modern cars becoming more & more NB this handy shootout by CarBuyer of the top systems is rather good.





BMW: http://youtu.be/j4hcBWXWwzI

Ford: http://youtu.be/M521BYvHiBo

Nissan: http://youtu.be/h6FC4cgdXEI

Vauxhall/Opel: http://youtu.be/3iGT3zeiSjo

VW: http://youtu.be/i7CE1-BAqpA

SEAT: http://youtu.be/axJ6TXEWRZk

Mercedes-Benz: http://youtu.be/uvYrz-R4lNU

Mazda: http://youtu.be/3b0p85sENMk

Audi: http://youtu.be/udc_SFnO64g

Jaguar: http://youtu.be/umZj33E0MNk

What's your fav?

All the top manufacturers are covered...

Imo BMW's iDrive still takes it for intuitiveness...it's had years to perfect their system & it shows

 

[Rouxenator]

Very good reviews, and thorough too. To summarise here they are best to worse.
SEAT: 4.8
BMW: 4.5
Audi: 4.4
Vauxhall/Opel: 4.3
VW: 4.1
Mazda: 4
Ford: 3.8
Jaguar: 3.6
Nissan: 3.3
Mercedes-Benz: 3.3

Makes sense why IntelliLink R4.0 is now going into the volume seller Corsa.

 

[Brawler]

Great idea and review.

Kind of related question. How come car manufactures dont just create a tablet dock for iPad and Androids with a specific app for their cars?

It would be easy to implement and solves a lot of issues such as:
-Costs of developing own systems which are in turn passed on to consumers. Some of these interfaces cost R30k upwards and they are terrible.
-Users could upgrade tablet when ever they want and not be stuck with ancient tech in a few years. Some of these systems are already dinosaurs and are selling in 1 bar cars...
-Simpler media management.

 

[Claymore]

Great idea and review.

Kind of related question. How come car manufactures dont just create a tablet dock for iPad and Androids with a specific app for their cars?

It would be easy to implement and solves a lot of issues such as:
-Costs of developing own systems which are in turn passed on to consumers. Some of these interfaces cost R30k upwards and they are terrible.
-Users could upgrade tablet when ever they want and not be stuck with ancient tech in a few years. Some of these systems are already dinosaurs and are selling in 1 bar cars...
-Simpler media management.

I've got one of the Chinese Android head units for my car. The answer is that there's a whole ton of stuff a tablet can't get from the car without some sort of direct interface into the unit, like the CAN bus signals (for steering wheel controls, signals for stuff like reverse, etc.), as well as stuff that's underneath the UI (like reverse camera that works even before Android has booted).

 

[Brawler]

I've got one of the Chinese Android head units for my car. The answer is that there's a whole ton of stuff a tablet can't get from the car without some sort of direct interface into the unit, like the CAN bus signals (for steering wheel controls, signals for stuff like reverse, etc.), as well as stuff that's underneath the UI (like reverse camera that works even before Android has booted).

I understand but all that could be built into some form of controller which the tablet connects to via usb.
So the 'port' in the car is not just a USB for power but also a data interface.

 

[dlk001]

I fully agree on BMW iDrive and Audi MMI. They are fantastic.

Nowadays, you have 4 types of inputs i.e. Voice Control, TouchPad, Rotary Controller and Touchscreen.

On the move, I prefer Rotary Controller and Voice Control.

Stationary I prefer Touchscreen.

I find TouchPad too error prone for a right-handed person.