Infotainment Comparison: BMW 3 Series vs Jaguar XE vs Lexus IS

By Farzana Chaumoo

We compare the infotainment units found in the latest BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2017 LEXUS IS - 2/5

The infotainment system found in the Lexus IS has been described as “frustrating at best and distracting at worst.” It has neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto and its touchpad is anything but intuitive.

The standard infotainment system features a 7.0-inch display paired with a 10-speaker stereo, and a GPS app that integrates with a smartphone for turn-by-turn navigation. Base units make use of a rotary dial and upgraded packages get a touchpad controller. The upgraded version features a 10.3-inch center screen, integrated navigation, and a 15-speaker, 835-watt Mark Levinson surround-sound system.

Standard features:	Optional:	Not Available:
AUX Input	Navigation	Apple CarPlay
Bluetooth Audio		Android Auto
Bluetooth Phone		Mobile Wi-Fi
2 x USB ports		4G LTE
1 x 12 V outlet
Real-Time Traffic
Real-Time Weather
Voice Command

 

What’s New for 2018?

The Enform Safety Connect and Enform Service Connect will now be offered as a complimentary feature for 10 years. Previously, these services were only offered free for one year. With the Connect services, the owner can view information about the vehicle remotely, which includes maintenance alerts and warning-light notifications.

2017 JAGUAR XE - 2.5/5

Jaguar’s XE model comes with the InControl Touch infotainment system. One level higher is the larger, navigation-equipped InControl Touch Pro system. Both systems have a polished appearance and are easy to use. However, there have been reports that the touchscreen is prone to freezing and rebooting.

The InControl Touch system features an 8.0-inch display and a 5.0-inch colour information display in the gauge cluster as standard. Higher trim levels feature a larger 10.2-inch InControl Touch Pro display that includes navigation and an 825-watt Meridian audio system with 17 speakers.

InControl Touch incorporates many must-have items such as Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming, an 8.0-inch display, and a 5.0-inch colour information display in the gauge cluster as standard. XE buyers can upgrade to navigation for InControl Touch on lower trim levels for $500 or spend $2700 on higher trim levels for the larger 10.2-inch InControl Touch Pro display that includes navigation and an 825-watt Meridian audio system with 17 speakers. A built-in 3G data connection and Wi-Fi hotspot are available separately on most models for $300.

Standard features:	Optional:	Not Available:
AUX Input	Navigation	Apple CarPlay
Bluetooth Audio	Real-Time Traffic	Android Auto
Bluetooth Phone	Real-Time Weather
Voice Control	Mobile Wi-Fi
2 x USB ports	3G Data
4 x 12 V outlet

What’s New for 2018?

The XE’s two available infotainment displays remain the same, however, a new 12.3-inch driver-facing digital gauge cluster has been added and comes standard with InControl Touch Pro infotainment system that features a larger, center-mounted 10.2-inch screen. The new digital gauge cluster allows drivers to reconfigure the panel according to their preference. Images are crisp and not affected by glare in direct sunlight.

2017 BMW 3 SERIES

Compared to its rivals mentioned above, the 3 Series is available with the latest gadgetry, that includes Apple CarPlay and onboard Wi-Fi (optional). However, on the downside one USB port seems to be stingy.

Both are optional, but Android Auto is nowhere to be found. And only one USB port seems stingy in this day and age.

Standard features:	Optional:	Not Available:
AUX Input	Navigation	Android Auto
Bluetooth Audio	Real-Time Traffic
Bluetooth Phone	Real-Time Weather
Voice Command	Mobile Wi-Fi
1 x USB port	4G LTE
4 x 12 V outlet	Apple CarPlay

What’s New for 2018?

BMW’s new iDrive 6.0 infotainment system comes standard in the 2018 3 Series. The system gets modern with touchscreen capability which replaces the previous console-mounted rotary knob. However, the know hasn’t been completely erased but it still there for redundant control. The system remains as well organized as its previous iteration and is relatively responsive.

Find out how the BMW 3 Series infotainment system fairs against other rivals: BMW iDrive vs. Audi MMI vs. Mercedes-Benz COMAND