Quick Facts About Infotainment Systems
- Infotainment touchscreens are growing larger with sharper graphics.
- Infotainment operating systems are evolving to allow video streaming and playing games.
- Over-the-air updates are becoming more common for infotainment systems.
Large, flashy infotainment systems on new vehicles are a significant selling point for many prospective car buyers. As technology advances, infotainment screens are getting bigger, better, and more capable. While most newer cars have competitive infotainment systems to adjust the radio and climate control settings, others go above and beyond with design, functionality, and more.
Keep reading to see which cars we believe have the best infotainment systems. We’ve included the jump links below so you can skip ahead.
What Is an Infotainment System?
Our Favorite Infotainment Systems
What Are the Latest Infotainment Trends?
What Is an Infotainment System?
A vehicle’s infotainment system is an integrated media system, delivering information and entertainment functionality to drivers and passengers. The infotainment touchscreen is the digital control panel for adjusting the cabin temperature, audio volume, and other preferences. Usually centered on the dashboard, well within reach of the driver, the screen can also control navigation and integrated phone operation. Consolidating all of these systems and their functionality into a centralized platform is the vehicle’s operating system (OS).
The level of sophistication, technology, and ease of use of these operating systems varies from carmaker to carmaker. As technology advances, operating systems evolve, adding capabilities as they go. Newer systems allow some recent developments to be delivered to vehicles already on the road via over-the-air (OTA) transmissions.
Just as the operating system varies from carmaker to carmaker, the touchscreens overseeing them also vary in size and capability. In many cars, the display comes in the form of a single screen, while some newer or higher-end models feature two or more touchscreens. For example, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer boasts over 75 inches of available display area on seven LCD screens throughout the vehicle. Pass the popcorn, right?
Older vehicles may have early generations of infotainment systems consisting of a small display and occasionally a touchscreen. Therefore, adjustments require turning knobs or pressing buttons. Manual controls are becoming less common today as automakers trend toward putting everything on an interactive screen. This user interface (UI) is especially prevalent in electric vehicles (EVs).
Our Favorite Infotainment Systems
Some automakers simply do infotainment better than others. Although we admit at least a few of our judgments are based on subjective vagaries, others reflect objective technical achievement. Our guide considers infotainment screen size, capabilities, and design.
MBUX: Mercedes-Benz
A comprehensive operating system, the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) is basically a personal assistant controlled by touch, voice, or (sometimes) gesture with the optional Interior Assistant. Mercedes-Benz launched its all-electric EQS sedan in late 2021 with a stunningly beautiful infotainment system dubbed the “MBUX Hyperscreen.” It features a combination of three screens stretching 56 inches from the driver’s side to the passenger’s, where they can adjust their preferences or play games like Tetris.
Along with its design and size, the Hyperscreen has voice control, allowing you to give the car commands like “Give me a massage,” which triggers the massaging seat. One of the most remarkable functions of the screen is AI decision-making that picks up on the driver’s habits. For instance, calling your Mom at about the same time every day triggers this system to issue a reminder when that time arrives.
The Hyperscreen is only available in the EQS and AMG EQE; however, other Mercedes-Benz models have lesser variations.
No Name Operating System: Tesla
We’ve included Tesla on this list primarily because this EV phenom was a pioneering manufacturer in removing physical knobs and buttons from the infotainment system. We aren’t fans of abandoning rigid controls entirely (for example, an audio-system volume knob), but Tesla’s fully contained touchscreen has spurred other carmakers to head in that direction, as well. In true Tesla fashion, its operating system is a mishmash of technologies rather than a homegrown, proprietary system. Although Tesla’s “kitchen sink” system eschews hard controls, its touchscreen permanently features swipe controls for audio volume, cabin temperature, and other key functions on the huge display. It’s rather impressive, really. Even a swipe icon for controlling “forward,” “reverse,” and “park” appears when the driver depresses the brake pedal. However, its other cool functions are what grab our attention.
For starters, you can play real video games in your car. If you have a gaming console, you only need your controller. This feature is a convenient way to pass the time while charging at a Tesla Supercharger station. Moreover, the infotainment system has easter eggs, like a light show, and the ability to change your horn’s sound!
Tesla screen size varies by model. The Model 3 and Model Y currently have 15-inch screens, while the Model S and Model X have 17-inch screens. The Tesla Cybertruck weighs in with an 18.5-inch screen. Although earlier Tesla screens were vertical, as its models evolved, Tesla has reoriented the displays horizontally.
Tesla is often on the cutting edge of innovation, with the infotainment system being a primary example. Over-the-air updates are a familiar experience for Tesla owners.
Lucid UX: Lucid
Lucid UX oversees the infotainment systems in the brand’s Lucid Air and Gravity models. Lucid is another EV company bringing attention to its cars with big screens. In its Glass Cockpit, the Lucid Air boasts a 34-inch touchscreen stretching from the driver’s side to roughly the center console. Lucid split the screen into three sections while still being one long display. From left to right, the system displays vehicle controls, driving details, navigation, and media on one screen. But it gets even better.
Lucid models feature a second, pull-out 12-inch screen in the center console, dubbed the “Pilot Panel.” This screen contains functionality for navigation, audio controls, phoning and messaging, and temperature settings. If you prefer physical buttons, they remain available above the center console.
Like most EV manufacturers, Lucid continuously sends drivers OTA updates to improve the driving experience. While the updates likely won’t include adding Apple CarPlay or Android Auto anytime soon, the infotainment system does feature voice control.
ccNC: Kia and Hyundai
Kia and Hyundai are corporate cousins, and while they are far from the same vehicles, their infotainment systems are nearly identical. Value is a key reason for considering these Korean brands. Their infotainment systems contribute significantly to that value. Beginning with popular models like the Hyundai Kona, Tucson, and Ioniq 5, and the Kia K5, EV6, and Sorento, the next big infotainment advance for Hyundai and Kia is the connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) operating system. This operating system includes everything from navigation to the digital gauge cluster.
Many of the newest generation of Kia and Hyundai models offer 12.3-inch touchscreens paired with a 12.3-inch digital driver information screen, which presents as one large display. However, traditionalists should not despair; there is also a battery of hard controls to initiate quick changes in audio volume and other tasks.
Smooth, sleek, and easy to use, the Kia and Hyundai systems earned a spot on our favorite systems list.
Hyundai Mobis Holographic Head-Up Display
We received what is likely a peek at things to come for Hyundai and Kia at the 2025 Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s an adjunct to their infotainment systems capable of projecting information as a holographic head-up display (HUD) across the lower portion of a vehicle’s entire windshield. Presented at the show in a Kia EV9, Mobis predicted at least some availability in 2027 models.
Ford Digital Experience: Ford and Lincoln
Although the SYNC infotainment system lives on in some Ford and Lincoln models, the new kid on the block is the Ford Digital Experience with a home in the Ford Explorer and Expedition and the Lincoln Aviator and Navigator, among others. Powered by Android, SYNC supports apps from Google Play, Google Maps, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. An available 48-inch panoramic multi-display system wraps around the base of the windshield and provides a multitude of information according to driver preferences. Ford also includes a few hard controls, like audio volume, to make performing some tasks quicker and easier.
In its newest EVs, the Mach-E and F-150 Lightning, Ford pairs an innovative 15.5-inch infotainment screen mounted vertically in the dashboard’s center rather than horizontally. With this screen and setup, the audio volume knob is located at the bottom of the touchscreen.
Other Digital Experience features include multiple driver profiles and voice control.
Be on the lookout for OTA updates, as Ford intends to improve the system continuously.
Uconnect 5: Ram, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, and Alfa Romeo
Stellantis brands Ram, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, and Alfa Romeo have a degree of consistency with their Uconnect infotainment systems. Although this operating system has evolved through several generations, we have been big fans all along the way to today’s Uconnect 5. Not nearly as trendy as other infotainment systems among our picks, we have always appreciated Uconnect’s straightforward operation and user-friendly controls. The system blends modern technology and old-school physical buttons and knobs to appeal to younger and older generations.
The infotainment display is one touchscreen, and the size can vary depending on the vehicle. For example, the Jeep Compass has an 8.4-inch screen, while the Ram 1500 has a 12-inch (or available 14.5-inch) touchscreen. Despite the prevalence of a touchscreen, you will still find a rigid control for nearly everything.
Uconnect brings modern technology with the addition of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and even Amazon’s Alexa. The system is intuitive, and users can easily navigate its functions. The design fits the bill if you want a car with an above-average infotainment system.
CUE: Cadillac and Chevrolet
Although, historically, models under the General Motors umbrella have featured some form of its MyLink infotainment operating system, there is a higher-tech system pioneered by Cadillac called Cadillac User Experience or CUE. Still basically reserved for models like the Lyriq, Escalade, and XT5 marketed by GM’s luxury division, CUE has seeped into the Chevy brand with the introduction of the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV.
CUE combines voice recognition, navigation, smartphone connectivity, personalized settings, and more.
Cadillac is known for its full-size luxury vehicles, including the massive 3-row Escalade. With a car of that stature, it’s fitting to feature a king-size infotainment system. The Escalade’s OLED system combines three screens, making up a curved 38-inch screen so advanced that Cadillac claims it has twice the pixel density of a 4K television.
The infotainment system has all the standard functions you find in newer cars, but the Escalade is a step above with its version of augmented reality. When using the SUV’s GPS for directions, turn-by-turn arrows are displayed on top of the live video stream, making navigation a breeze.
While the vehicle no longer holds the record for the largest infotainment system, its 38-inch screen made it the biggest when it hit the market in 2021. Now, several competitors use screens this size or larger, leading many to acknowledge that Escalade paved the way for today’s prominent, curved infotainment displays.
iDrive 8.5: BMW
Although BMW has iDrive 9 in the pipeline, some 2025 models (X5, 7 Series, and iX, to name a few) feature the iDrive 8.5 operating system. From its inception, iDrive has been a rather difficult system to use. BMW addressed many of the public gripes with the new iDrive 8.5. As one might expect, this system enables a wide range of functions typical in current advanced systems: voice recognition, a personal assistant, BMW maps, in-car gaming, and more. Improvements over iDrive 8 include a more user-friendly menu setup and what BMW calls QuickSelect, providing direct-entry icons for the more common functions.
A single curved body consisting of a 12.3 digital driver-information display and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen oversees this system. Of course, updates will come via OTA transmissions.
What Is BMW Panoramic iDrive?
Also introduced at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show, Panoramic iDrive is another version of the windshield-wide head-up display. It allows the driver to customize what can be included in the 3D image projected along the bottom of the windshield. Steering-wheel-mounted haptic controls and an integrated sound experience are other features.
What Are the Latest Infotainment Trends?
- AI-powered voice assistants: As artificial intelligence continues to gain momentum, more carmakers are incorporating AI technology into their voice recognition software in the guise of personal assistants. The benefits include hands-free operation that increases safety and a system that can even anticipate a driver’s wants and needs based on prior requests and behavior. In other words, AI learns.
- Wellness monitoring: We have seen this technology in a small way with current driver alert monitoring in many newer models. However, we expect this to expand to include the capability to monitor a driver’s heart rate, blood pressure, stress, and much more.
- 5G proliferation: Some experts predict that as many as 25% of 2025 models will offer 5G connectivity. The biggest 5G news will be its increased capability to receive greater amounts of data more quickly, which will encourage vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. The potential benefits will include enhanced fuel economy, traffic congestion avoidance, and more.
What Is Honda Asimo?
Honda used the 2025 CES to preview its Asimo operating system, which is scheduled to arrive in its new O Series of electric vehicles beginning in 2026. It will take the AI personal assistant a step further. Named for its Asimo humanoid robot, this system is expected to enhance interaction with the driver while managing the infotainment system and other core vehicle functions.