Twenty years ago, in-car entertainment was pretty simple: you had a radio and a CD player. On a long journey you would either listen to your go-to station or your favourite album for hours on end! Simple times, ey?
Nowadays, there's so much more you need to consider when leasing a new car. Does it come with smartphone mirroring? What are the graphics like? Does it have built-in sat-nav? Is it easy to use? I bet you're stressing just reading this!
According to NimbleFins, the average UK driver drove over 6,000 miles a year in 2022, so it's essential to have the best in-car entertainment system to make those miles go a little quicker.
In this blog, we'll delve into the top seven in-car entertainment systems on the market and the features you should look out for.
We discuss:
An infotainment system is the life and blood of your driving experience, and if chosen correctly, it can make driving a pleasant experience. However, if done wrong, it can make it much more stressful than needed.
A good infotainment system should:
- Be user-friendly - Like all technologies in life, an in-car entertainment system is meant to make your life easier. Good systems should be easy to navigate and be responsive to touch.
- Display crisp graphics - We're in 2024, not 2005; a good in-car entertainment system should show a clear screen that's easy to read and visible from everywhere in the car.
- Be connected - Good in-car entertainment systems work alongside your phone, sat-nav, and the internet. A good system should connect seamlessly and quickly.
- Work - This may sound like stating the obvious, but an in-car entertainment system should work consistently. It needs to be built to last and work whenever required. After all, what's the point of paying for one if it doesn't work?
Modern in-car entertainment systems come with a range of features that can sometimes be overwhelming to the untrained eye. Here are some features to ensure your infotainment system includes:
- Smartphone Mirroring - Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are essential for modern day in-car entertainment systems. They allow you to connect your phone to your car's infotainment system, which is then mirrored on the display, meaning you can answer calls and send messages hands-free. For more information, check out our blog, What is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Sat-nav - If you frequently travel on long journeys or travel a lot with work to areas you don't know, make sure your lease car has a sat-nav. This will ensure you don't get lost and arrive on time! How on earth did we get on using an atlas for so long?
- Voice control - An infotainment system with voice control allows for total ease of use. You don't have to take your eyes off the road at all; just simply activate it with the required saying and then speak your commands.
- Over-the-air updates - If your infotainment system has connected technology, ensure it has over-the-air updates. This means that it will update automatically whenever the manufacturer releases new software, so you'll always stay up-to-date.
7. Peugeot i-Cockpit
Peuegot has had somewhat of a resurgence in the last few years, and one reason for this is their i-Cockpit infotainment system. It comes with a very neatly designed dashboard, and although not necessarily entertainment related, it has a smaller steering wheel which clears up space.
Highlights include a 3D instrument panel, a fully connected touchscreen, AI-enhanced by ChatGPT, and personalised settings.
It's available on all models, such as the Peugeot 208, the 3008, and the 408.
6. Tesla
Tesla has been a leader in in-car technology for some time now. They were one of the first manufacturers to go for the tablet-style touchscreen, which is now one of the go-to styles.
Through Tesla's touchscreen display, you can pretty much control the entire car. It displays a map at all times, is fully connected, and can double up as an entertainment system by playing various video streaming services while parked. Oh, and it can also turn into an arcade game.
5. Mercedes-Benz MBUX
The Mercedes-Benz MBUX system is a seriously impressive system. Consisting of two screens that seamlessly integrate into the dashboard, MBUX is like something out of the future. It features voice control, smartphone mirroring, and sat-nav as standard.
It's also adaptive by syncing itself to the driver's behaviour, such as suggesting routes to your destination based on your previous activity.
4. Nissan Connect
You might be thinking that this is a little high on the list for Nissan, but the reason it's here is because of how simple it is. In the era of big technology, Nissan Connect keeps things relatively simple and gets the job done with no issues whatsoever.
It comes with sat-nav, live traffic updates, smartphone mirroring, and Amazon Alexa. The screen also displays good graphics, and although not as big as others, is extremely easy to use.
3. Audi MMI
Audi's Multi-Media Interface is a dual touchscreen system that's everything you'd expect from an Audi: slick, sophisticated, and modern.
Brilliantly laid out on the dashboard, Audi MMI is simple to use and features all the essential technologies you need. One feature we like is that it has haptic feedback, which provides feedback through the screen when you've selected an option.
2. Ford SYNC4
Ford's SYNC4 is a cloud-connected entertainment system that's faster, smarter, and better than any of its predecessors. It's really easy to use, which is a big plus, and comes with a whole raft of tech, such as route planning, voice recognition, wireless smartphone integration, and over-the-air updates.
It's also cloud-connected, which means that maps are always up to date and you get real-time live traffic and weather data.
SYNC4 is available on the Ford Focus, Mustang Mach-E, Transit Custom, E-Transit, and Ranger Raptor.
1. BMW iDrive
Here it is, people, the GOAT of in-car entertainment systems. The BMW iDrive system is head and shoulders above the rest. Now in its ninth generation, iDrive provides an entirely intuitive in-car experience.
It features clean and crisp displays that can be controlled via touch or a rotary controller, and it feels characteristically BMW. The system has that BMW DNA: it's smart, sophisticated, and powerful.
You can also create your own personal BMW ID, get help from BMW's intelligent personal assistant, and use their fantastic QuickSelect interface.
Choosing the right in-car entertainment system can be daunting for newcomers, but by taking the time to explore the options, you can significantly enhance your driving experience.
Whether you're after a simple system featuring a few integrated technologies or a fully connected system, a wide range of options are available.
Take time to consider your needs and preferences, and you'll be sure to find the ideal system for you.
Looking for more car tech content? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts produces a range of blogs, such as The Best Cars for Tech-Savvy Drivers and What is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
We are also one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers, offering a range of leasing deals to suit your every need. For more information, check out our latest leasing deals or call 0345 811 9595 to speak to one of our leasing experts.
