Infotainment

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

Peugeot 208

3D Nav £650 option

Key features: Nav, bigger 10-inch screen

ALLURE trim has a seven-inch touchscreen as standard. Sat-nav isn’t built in, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, so navigation is available through your smartphone. These programmes both work well.

Our car featured the upgraded 10-inch screen, Connected and 3D Navigation (£650 pack), but even this improved set-up could respond to inputs quicker. The slight lag makes the climate controls integrated into the screen all the more frustrating.

The bigger screen has temperature shortcuts at the side, but with the standard unit, you have to come out of one menu and go into another to do something simple like change the fan speed or temperature.

At least the touch-sensitive shortcut keys are a nice touch and make this task easier. The graphics are strong enough and the system matches the Clio’s for ease of operation. Wireless charging is standard.

FOR AND AGAINST

Graphics sharp enough, phone tech standard, shortcut keys a nice touch

No built-in nav, could respond quicker to inputs, climate control frustrating

Renault Clio

Easy Link Standard

Key features: 7” screen, connectivity

ICONIC trim features Renault’s Easy Link seven-inch touchscreen set-up that features nav as standard. It therefore matches the 208’s display size and also gets CarPlay and Android Auto. It works well enough in the Renault, however, as in the 208, the screen and system could respond quicker to your inputs. There are also fiddly functions you have to use the screen for, such as adjusting audio volume. At least you can use the steering wheel stalk to do this, but it’s frustrating that simple functions are complicated to carry out.

The screen resolution can’t quite match the brighter and sharper 208’s, while the Peugeot’s standard digital dash gives its cabin a more hi-tech feel compared with the Clio’s, although you can upgrade the Renault’s 4. 2-inch digital display. You can’t add options such as wireless charging, which is a nice touch in the 208, but there are lots of USB charging points in the Clio.

FOR AND AGAINST

Good-sized screen, sat-nav is standard, good connectivity

No digital dash option, no wireless charging, could be more responsive

Display Sat-nav is built in as standard, which is a bonus, but the Clio’s touchscreen can lag behind inputs. Some tasks can be fiddly to carry out because you must use the display, but at least it’s a good size

Screen Upgraded display features handy shortcuts at the sides of the screen. It could be quicker to respond to inputs and the lack of sat-nav means you must use your phone for directions