Audi S4 vs BMW M340i vs Mercedes-AMG C43: which one has the best infotainment system?
If you are in the market for a four-wheel drive, turbocharged six-cylinder performance saloon car, there are three fantastic options from Germany. These include the Audi S4, BMW’s M340i and the Mercedes-AMG C43. These are all strong performers; however, connectivity is also an important consideration, which brings us to the question, which one has the best infotainment system?
Despite the rapid decline in popularity of saloon cars, particularly premium performance versions, there is no denying that the products in this segment are safer, faster, more spacious and more technologically advanced than ever before. The Audi S4 is an often-overlooked product in the segment, with BMW’s M340i and AMG’s C43 springing to mind before the Ingolstadt-based company’s contender.
This beggars belief as the Audi is substantially cheaper than both the BMW and Mercedes while offering a very similar performance package. All three contenders feature turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engines, all-wheel drive, automatic gearboxes, four doors and large boots. With our rivals being so similar, we are going to compare their infotainment systems to see which product offers the best connectivity.
Audi S4
The S4 was recently updated, meaning that there is a new MMI infotainment system that includes a 10.1-inch colour touchscreen and the optional 12.3-inch virtual cockpit digitised instrument cluster. If you specify the MMI navigation plus with MMI touch, in addition to the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, you will also get Audi connect, which includes live Google navigation with traffic information and live points of interest information. The system also comes with the myAudi app functionality, allowing your phone to control your Audi from anywhere. The Car2X includes service and vehicle status, vehicle settings, security information and emergency services access at all times via your smartphone.
BMW M340i
The M340i comes with the brand’s impressive iDrive infotainment system which includes a 10.25-inch screen on top of the centre console as well as a 12.3-inch digitised instrument cluster. The infotainment system can be controlled by touch, voice or via the toggle switch in the centre console. There is also the voice-activated BMW personal assistant which includes a concierge and emergency service. The system comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and recently, Android Auto functionality for the first time. Android users can also have the digital key feature on their phone, allowing them to lock and unlock the vehicle without the need for the car key.
Mercedes-AMG C43
The C-Class is the oldest product in the line-up and at the time of writing, was about to be replaced by the new fifth-generation model. The outgoing C43 still gets a digitised instrument cluster with a 12.3-inch display as well as a 10.25-inch screen on top of the centre console. The Mercedes-Benz COMAND infotainment system in the C43 is an older unit, with newer Mercedes products featuring the improved MBUX system. The C43’s system does not get all of the connected services seen in the Audi and BMW, however, it still features wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.
Verdict
The fact that the Mercedes-AMG product is about to replaced means that its infotainment system is outdated when compared with the Audi and BMW. That leaves the S4 and M340i to duke it out, with both offering the very latest infotainment technology and similarly sized screens with fantastic resolution. Since they are so closely matched and both require some additional specification to get the latest infotainment technology, we are granting the win to the Audi as it is well over R150 000 cheaper than the BMW.
