Infotainment
Which multimedia system is best for music, sat-nav & connectivity?
BMW
330e
Live Cockpit Professional Standard Key features: Navigation, connectivity
BMW ’s Live Cockpit Professional is standard on all 330e models. It features a 12.3-inch digital dash display and a 10. 25-inch central touchscreen, which can also be operated by the rotary iDrive wheel. This is a more intuitive device to use on the move than the Volvo’s touchscreen operation.
The BMW’s graphics are great, it processes inputs quickly, and Apple CarPlay works well, but it’s a shame there’s no Android Auto. The standard nav and traffic info are so good it’s worth using this set-up anyway.
You get BMW ’s voice-activated personal assistant, which is one of the better systems we’ve tried, but the 330e also gets some bespoke plug-in features, such as an energy-flow monitor, info on the battery’s state of charge and EV charging stations, loaded into the map. The system works so well that all of these extra features are very successfully integrated and easy to use.
FOR AND AGAINST
Digital dashboard, big screen, good EV-specific functionality
No Android Auto, digital dash could be more customisable
Volvo
S60 T8
Sensus Navigation Standard Key features: Digital dash, nav
ALL S60s have a nine-inch tablet-style infotainment system as standard. It works well enough, but isn’t as slick or as responsive as the BMW’s set-up. It can miss inputs and is harder to use on the move because it’s a touchscreen. The graphics aren’t as high-resolution as its rival’s, and the motion of the map is jerkier. Everything is controlled from the touchscreen, but at least there are shortcuts for the climate control.
Still, there are nearly as many features as the BMW ’s, with nav, traffic, an EV charging station database, plus apps like Spotify pre-loaded. But Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are part of a £300 pack. Even though the BMW doesn’t get Android Auto as standard, CarPlay still makes it look better value.
The 12.3-inch digital dashboard is a nice feature, though. Like the BMW, it’s fitted as standard and shows nav directions straight in front of you.
FOR AND AGAINST
Screen and digital dash combo good, decent EV functionality, some apps
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto extra, harder to use than BMW system