With technology constantly improving, a 5-year gap between models starts to show even earlier than it used to, the biggest victim being the infotainment systems and their software. Constant advances are being made in the field with screens getting larger and voice control becoming more natural. Heres how the new Audi Q3 fares up against the ageing BMW X1 and the more recent Volvo XC40.
Audi Q3 35TFSI S line - R599 000
Our rating: 4.5/5
The Audi Q3 is all-new for the 2020 model year and this sees it equipped with the latest MMI infotainment system, mimicking the system found in the high-end Audi Q8 that was launched earlier in 2019. It does away with the traditional interface and ties in with the digital display dashboard or, in higher trims and options, the Audi Virtual Cockpit.
Standard fitment is an 8.8-inch MMI Radio Plus system with all the basics including Bluetooth and USB input, one standard and one USB-C, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality.
Ticking the right boxes will get the MMI Navigation Plus which also forms part of the Technology Package if specified. This will see the Q3 fitted with a full touch screen system measuring in at 10.1-inches and full integration into the Virtual Cockpit. Natural Language control allows you to speak naturally and instruct the system to perform certain tasks. Telling the system that you are cold will see it increase the heat in the cabin.
Audio is plumbed through a 180 W, 10-speaker audio system which includes a centre-mounted free-air subwoofer but if you specify the Bang & Olufsen audio package you will receive a 680 W, 15-speaker arrangement instead.
The omission of a tactile interface is one that we would ordinarily criticise but Audi has done away with the physical controls without compromising the driver attention too much. Drivers are encouraged to use either the steering-mounted controls or voice control, rather than take their hands off of the wheel. For those that are not coming right, the menu layout and touch screen controls are large and intuitively placed, allowing one to find them relatively quickly, even if this does require taking the eyes off the road momentarily.
BMW X1 sDrive20d xLine - R596 700
Our rating: 2/5
The current BMW X1 launched at the end of 2015 for the 2016 model year and has recently received an LCI (facelift) internationally. At the time of compiling this comparison, the LCI was yet to launch locally.
The current BMW X1 employs the older iDrive system with all models receiving the 6.5-inch display as standard with an 8.8-inch touch screen made optional. It makes use of the BMW iDrive rotary controller in the centre console with shortcut buttons to frequently-used menu items and functions. A rotary knob for the volume control rests to the side of a bank of buttons on the centre fascia that allows for quick track/station selection as well as Mode and track skip buttons. These rest just below a CD slot.
The unit allows for CD, USB, Bluetooth and AUX input but is devoid of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The menu hierarchy is one that has improved over the years but in the F48 model is still rather complex with too many sub-menus for certain settings.
This all promises to be resolved with the LCI due shortly as the X1 switches to the latest iDrive 7.0 with voice control, a larger touchscreen and simplified tile-based menu system.
Volvo XC40 T3 R-Design auto - R592 400
Our rating: 3.5/5
Employing the largest touchscreen of the three cars compared here, the Volvo XC40 uses the portrait-orientated 9-inch Sensus system that has featured in the XC90 and XC60. With tablet-like functionality including multiple screen layouts, the Sensus system aims to be more intuitive than its peers. Swiping to the sides reveals different 'pages', a home screen with tiled shortcut layout, a settings screen and a controls screen.
A simple, large rotary volume knob resides in the centre fascia flanked by track/station skip buttons on either side. Further interaction comes from the steering wheel-mounted controls or basic voice control.
The system allows for Bluetooth and USB inputs but does not have an AUX input or CD player.
Audio is plumbed through a 250 W, 8-speaker sound system as standard with respectable sound reproduction but audiophiles can opt for the 600 W, 14-speaker Harman Kardon system that utilizes a dashboard-mounted subwoofer for improved staging.
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