Gone are the days when the dashboard of your car came with a radio and a CD player. Most modern vehicles now are taken up with large touch screens which are known as infotainment systems.

Depending on the vehicle make and model, there are a variety of different features that run through them including satellite navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB digital radio. Even climate control functions can now be found embedded into screens, too.

But, what do car manufacturers call their own systems, and how do they differentiate themselves from others? We take a close look into some of the major car brands' infotainment systems.

MBUX - Mercedes-Benz

The acronym stands for Mercedes-Benz User Experience and is what the firm refers to as its multimedia system.

It first appeared in 2018 with the latest A-Class hatchback and now it comes on every model in the Mercedes range including its high-performance AMG cars.

The standard system features two seven-inch screens, but you can upgrade it to a larger 10.25-inch for an added cost, while the EQ electric models receive display screens that stretch the width of the dashboard.

The features it includes are gesture, voice and touch control as well as wireless integration for mobile phones to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well artificial intelligence that learns the user's preferred radio stations or works out a faster route on the navigation system.

Pivi Pro – Land Rover

Pivi Pro was introduced on all Land Rover models in 2022 and is the most advanced system the company has used yet.

It includes automatic over-the-air updates to make sure that drivers have the latest software and version of its map function for satellite navigation. Also, there is Bluetooth that enables two devices to be connected at the same time and there is wireless smartphone connectivity, too.

Furthermore, it has self-learning algorithms and smart voice guidance to help improve the navigation experience even further.

Smart Connect - Toyota

Toyota’s Smart Connect is fairly simple to understand to many as it features smartphone connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus the standard setup features its own navigation system with speed camera alerts.

It also features live over-the-air updates to ensure that the system always includes the latest features. Furthermore, there is access to DAB digital radio as well as the My Toyota App which allows you to book services for your vehicle and view its service history from any franchised Toyota dealer – the standard screen measures 10.5 inches, too.

Sync - Ford

Now called Sync 4, Ford’s infotainment system has been around for nearly 15 years and now it includes more features than ever.

Forget reading your owner’s manual through a book, instead, Ford includes it in the touchscreen of its cars. Meanwhile, there is wireless connectivity for mobile devices along with voice recognition to control various functions such as sending a text message, playing music or finding a location on satellite navigation.

iDrive - BMW

Possibly one of the first systems to embrace the digital era in cars is BMW’s iDrive system. Launched in 2001 to its luxury limousine, the 7-Series, the system is now more advanced than ever before.

The latest generation is called iDrive Operating System Nine and includes touch and voice controls allowing the user to command what feature they would like on the touchscreen. Also, it includes connected services and apps such as satellite navigation, mobile phone connectivity and there is BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant which is a feature that allows you to talk to the car and it will give back information on the vehicle’s condition such as fluid levels, tyre pressure and fuel range as well as any encounters on the route set on the sat-nav screen, too.