In 2025, your car’s brain isn’t under the hood - it’s the infotainment screen staring back at you. Today’s systems don’t just play music or show maps - they connect, guide, and sometimes even think ahead. Here’s a list of the most user-friendly, high-performing infotainment setups in cars this year - from budget-friendly to luxury rides.

1. Stellantis UConnect 5 - Ram 1500

Vehicle Highlight: Ram 1500 Tungsten
Screen: 14.0-inch vertical touchscreen
Why It Stands Out: Tile-based layout allows multitasking with apps side by side. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto run smoothly without switching away from built-in apps. Fast interface, clear visuals, and physical buttons for climate controls make this system easy to use. Optional passenger display is a bonus.

2. BMW iDrive 8.5

Vehicles: 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 7-Series, X5, X6, X7, iX
Screen: 12.3-inch digital cluster + 14.9-inch touchscreen
Why It Stands Out: The classic iDrive knob is still here, letting you operate the screen safely without tapping. Shortcut keys improve navigation speed. Graphics are sharp and the system is faster than iDrive 8 with fewer bugs.

3. Toyota-Lexus Multimedia System

Vehicles: Toyota Sequoia, Tundra - Lexus RX, GX, TX
Screen: Up to 14.0 inches
Why It Stands Out: Simple and clean interface. Climate controls stay visible even without physical buttons. Over-the-air updates add features like shortcut bars that stay visible during Apple CarPlay use. Smooth and fast to respond.

4. Lucid Air Infotainment

Vehicle: Lucid Air
Screen: Dual-display setup
Why It Stands Out: Modern and stylish UI. Top screen controls maps and music - bottom screen controls car settings. Early issues are now fixed and the system runs great. Has a volume knob and climate toggle buttons for quick access.

5. Ford-Lincoln Digital Experience

Vehicles: Ford Explorer - Lincoln Aviator
Screen: Integrated across dashboard and instrument cluster
Why It Stands Out: Runs Android Automotive with built-in Google Maps and Google Assistant. Still supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Maps also show in the driver’s cluster. Very user-friendly and smartly designed.

6. Mazda Connect

Vehicles: CX-90 - CX-70
Screen: 12.3-inch
Why It Stands Out: Mazda sticks to a rotary knob instead of touchscreens - and it works. Great with CarPlay and Android Auto. Shortcut buttons for nav and media improve safety by avoiding screen distractions.

7. Volvo with Google Built-in

Vehicles: S60, V60, XC40, XC60, XC90, C40 Recharge
Screen: Vertical touchscreen + digital cluster
Why It Stands Out: Minimalist design with integrated Google services. Navigation info appears in both main screen and instrument cluster. Drawback - drive mode selection is hidden in menus. Hard buttons would help.

8. Hyundai ccNC

Vehicles: Ioniq 5, Santa Fe, Tucson, Sonata
Screen: Curved digital display
Why It Stands Out: Now supports wireless Apple CarPlay. Easy-to-understand tile layout. Keeps physical buttons for key controls like AC and radio. Favorite button can jump to any app or screen instantly.

9. Kia ccNC

Vehicles: K4, K5, EV6, EV9, Sorento
Screen: Same as Hyundai
Why It Stands Out: Same system as Hyundai but with Kia-specific design. Includes a smart dual-control bar - switches between media and climate control. EV9 has extra control panels between the screens.

10. Porsche Driver Experience - Macan EV

Vehicle: Porsche Macan Electric
Screen: 10.9-inch main screen + optional passenger screen
Why It Stands Out: Top-tier Apple CarPlay and Android Auto experience. You can display maps in the driver cluster. Interface is lightning-fast. Many physical buttons make the system both stylish and functional.

Conclusion

In 2025, infotainment is more than a screen - it’s your assistant, your second dashboard, and your co-pilot. Whether it’s the modular Stellantis UConnect or the ultra-refined Porsche setup, these systems combine real-world ease with digital power. So when checking out a new car, don’t just pop the hood - tap that screen and see how the car thinks.