Infotainment

Which multimedia system is best for music, sat-nav & connectivity?

Audi Q8 MMI Navigation Plus Standard Key features: Dual screens, smartphone link

AS standard the Q8’s infotainment set-up features two main touchscreens: a 10.1-inch top display and a smaller 8.6-inch unit below it. The screens have haptic feedback, so they push back against your finger when pressed. This is supposed to help make it easier to use, but you still have to look down to locate each button.

Still, the system itself is intuitive to use and the 3D maps look great and are easy enough to follow, especially as they can be displayed on the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit screen behind the steering wheel.

Audi pioneered the digital instrument cluster a few years ago and it’s still one of the best and easiest to use.

Apple Carplay and Android Auto are standard, along with MMI Navigation Plus, and are really easy and good to use. There’s wireless charging as well, so the Q8 feels right up to date in terms of infotainment. A Bang & Olufsen stereo upgrade is available for £1,150.

Display 3D mapping looks good and is easy to use. The haptic screens control a range of car and media functions, while services include weather updates

FOR AND AGAINST

Easy-to-use set-up, modern looks, system has several large screens More physical buttons would be helpful, premium audio package isn’t standard

Porsche Cayenne Porsche Communication Mgmt Standard Key features: Large touchscreen, nav

THE Cayenne gets the latest Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system, which has a high-res 12.3-inch touchscreen along with a touch-sensitive panel on the centre console with haptic feedback.

The interface is clear, but it’s not as easy to use on the move as we’d like, since you have to keep looking away from the road to find the option you want. We prefer rotary-based interfaces in general, although in this company the set-up is on par with the Audi’s.

It’s disappointing that there’s no Android Auto functionality, especially as iphone users have the benefit of Apple Carplay, but that’s better than having to use the proprietary system in the Range Rover.

You get two digital displays either side of the rev counter. One can show the nav map. The standard 10-speaker audio system is good, but you can upgrade this to a BOSE surround-sound system for £956.

Screen Sat-nav features advanced mapping, while the set-up can control car settings and monitor the state of battery charge. There’s no Android Auto, though

FOR AND AGAINST

Simple to operate, large 12.3-inch screen, display looks very modern System could do with more physical buttons, Android Auto isn’t available

Range Rover Sport Touch Pro Duo Standard Key features: Dual screens, touch controls

LAND Rover has updated the Range Rover Sport with the dual-screen set-up first seen in the Velar, and like the Audi Q8’s twin-screen layout, it looks modern. You control the climate settings and driving modes using the bottom screen, while media, navigation and phone functions are all on the upper section.

There’s also a digital instrument cluster similar to Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, but it’s not quite as well laidout and the navigation doesn’t display as clearly there.

The large touchscreens remove the need for buttons, which can make changing climate settings hard on the move in many cars, but Land Rover’s clever use of dials that can flick between temperature, seat heating and fan speed means it avoids that problem.

An upgraded Meridian stereo is available as part of the £3,050 Entertainment Pack, which also brings two eight-inch screens in the back of the front headrests.

Infotainment Twin-screen set-up shows nav, media and phone functions on the top display. Heating controls are on the lower one. Rotary dials are handy for adjusting settings

FOR AND AGAINST

Many features included, two large screens, system looks modern No Apple Carplay or Android Auto, set-up slow to load for some features