Infotainment comparison: Volkswagen Golf 1.4TSI vs Audi A3 Sportback 1.4TFSI auto vs MINI Cooper 5-door auto.

By Chad Lückhoff

We take a look at the infotainment system of the 2017-release Volkswagen Golf and compare it against the MMI system from the Audi A3 and the MINI Standard Radio system.

 

Infotainment for everyone.

Much has been written about the systems on the top-of-the-range models in the Golf, A3 and MINI stables but not everyone is playing in that field. Lower down in the pecking order is a host of options, both in price and trim level. We're comparing the infotainment systems found in the Volkswagen Golf 1.4TSI up against the systems in similar vehicles from Audi and MINI.

Despite the similar approach to the theme, the Volkswagen comes in considerably cheaper overall, something that surprised us when we looked at their infotainment offerings. The cheaper base price allows you to spec a higher grade infotainment system and still managing to come in under the base price of these rivals.

So let's see how they fare.

Volkswagen Golf 1.4TSI Comfortline – R369 900

4/5

The Volkswagen Golf received a mild facelift in 2017 and with that came a rethink of the interior, in particular, the infotainment system. Systems offered on higher-end models in the Volkswagen lineup are now offered in the VW Golf.

The standard system is the Composition Colour system which used to use a 6.5-inch full-colour touchscreen. Despite keeping the name, the screen size has been increased to 8 inches. This system has an easy-to-understand menu layout, prompted by the shortcut buttons on either side of the screen for menu items such as Radio, Media, Phone, Setup. It has AUX, SD card, Bluetooth connectivity and a separate USB input. The sound is plumbed to an 8-speaker system.

As an option, you can upgrade to the Composition Media system that uses an 8-inch touchscreen interface and bumps up power to 4 x 20 watts, through the 8 speakers. This system includes SD card, AUX, USB and Bluetooth connectivity but throws in a CD player into the mix.

A further upgrade is the Discover Navigation Pro that takes the screen to a considerably larger 9.2-inch screen with a resolution of 1280 x 640 pixels. Devoid of tactile buttons, this system includes gesture control to switch between tracks or stations.

Audi A3 Sportback 1.4TFSI auto - R 456 000

4/5

The Audi A3 was introduced in 2016 and two years down the line, the infotainment system has held up rather well. Fitted with the MMI Radio Plus, the system uses a retractable screen (which is a welcomed change from the other integrated systems on offer today) that measures in at 7 inches. While not a touch screen, operators interact with the menu and functions via the rotary command system in the centre console. This rotary dial is flanked by several shortcut buttons and toggles for easy access to frequently used functions.

Playing through an 8-speaker setup, the MMI Radio Plus accepts AUX, USB and Bluetooth connectivity but the optional Audi Smartphone interface has to be selected in order to get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The menus are relatively easy to navigate with a clear and concise home screen and sub menus are limited, making this system fairly easy to use with a little practice.

Further upgrade options include the addition of the 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit display that replaces the standard gauges and the option to beef up the audio system to the Audi Sound or even a Bang & Olufsen speaker arrangement.

MINI Cooper Hatch 5-door auto - R401 400

2.5/5

The MINI Cooper received an extensive update this year and with it came the evolution of the infotainment system. MINI did away with the monochrome display of old and in its place you will find a 6.5-inch colour screen system that has little more than your standard infotainment functionality. It is Bluetooth capable with USB input and devoid of a CD player. You will struggle to find a MINI with this system though, as most will have one or several options checked.

We've scored the MINI low due to the fact that for any sort of competitive functionality, you need to upgrade the system and spend a few thousand extra to get the nice bits and pieces. The first port of call is the MINI Connected Media system that improves functionality but retains a screen size of 6.5-inches. You will get the MINI Connected interface that expands smartphone connectivity options.

The MINI Connected Navigation system sees much of the same but offers Apple CarPlay while the MINI Connected Navigation Plus system is the top-of-the-range system that sees the screen size grow to 8.8-inches and bolsters on an additional USB input. This system will also offer wireless charging and navigation.

The MINI menu system is a little less intuitive than the Composition or MMI systems above and sometimes locating a specific setting can be rather tricky, resulting is getting lost in one sub-menu too many.