Only a couple of decades ago a fancy infotainment system usually consisted of little more than a high-quality stereo and maybe a rear-seat entertainment package. Today, automakers across the world are trying to one-up one another with extravagant and feature-packed infotainment systems. Which is the best though?
Tesla ushered in the era of gigantic touchscreen tablet-style infotainment systems about a decade ago. Today, it’s hard to find a car that doesn’t employ a stylistic descendant of that system. Despite being so popular, very few of them seem to stand out from the crowd in terms of performance. On top of that, many that do stand out do so because they’re sincerely frustrating to use.
Crafting a truly exceptional infotainment system requires a well-rounded and fully-integrated package that’s devoid of major flaws or glitches. For example, Mercedes-Benz’s latest MBUX infotainment suite isn’t at the top of our list but it’s pretty close. As we found in the new C300 sedan, it’s quick to react and has one of the best voice command systems to date. It just falls a little flat with convoluted menus and annoying touch-slide controls for some features.
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For our cash, UConnect, the system used in Stellantis products, is a prime candidate for the top spot. While it’s executed slightly differently depending on the model, it’s consistently fast, easy to navigate, and mixes physical and touch controls seamlessly. When it’s installed in a tech-heavy vehicle like the Jeep Grand Wagoneer it’s even more impressive as it expands beyond just the central infotainment screen. That includes a screen for the front passenger as well as a rear-seat infotainment system and none of them disappoint.
Of course, others might prefer a single gigantic do-it-all sort of screen like the one you’ll find in a Rivian R1T. Putting basically every single control into one place is concise and helps with simplifying cabin design too. What are your preferences though? Which manufacturer is creating the very best infotainment system today? Let us know in the comments below.