Peugeot 308 vs VW Golf vs Mazda3: Which car has the best infotainment interface?
Research has shown that younger car buyers see good infotainment as more important than safety features when choosing a car. Here we round up the Volkswagen Golf Comfortline, Peugeot 308 GT Line and Mazda3 Dynamic for a quick infotainment shoot-out.
The more cars and humans evolve, the more important car infotainment becomes. Cars are not driving themselves yet, but you don’t want to pull to skip a track on Spotify either. Here we compare the entertainment and information systems of the VW Golf, Peugeot 308 and Mazda3.
VW Golf 1.4 TFSI Comfortline
From the Comfortline (from R359 500 new) and up, Volkswagen Golf buyers get the Composition Media Radio with 8” touch screen and App-Connect. The latter allows the use of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Trendline has a lesser system, but customers can order the Composition as an optional upgrade.
The graphical user interface (GUI) is super minimalist, bordering on dull and grey. Some pages are packed too tightly with options or virtual buttons, meaning it takes a second too long to spot what you’re looking for. The Composition system can be upgraded to the Discover Pro, which has a 9.2” high-resolution display, navigation, as well as voice- and gesture control.
Sound quality: 4/5
Peugeot 308 1.2T GT Line
The 9” touch-screen in the 308 looks sleek and contemporary, but on closer inspection you’d see the graphics aren’t pin sharp. The system is clunky and sometimes stubborn, reacting slowly to inputs from the driver or front passenger. Later models came with Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto.
The real annoyance is that the infotainment system also has to accommodate the air-con controls. Peugeot wanted the dashboard and centre stack to appear clean and minimalist, but to achieve that they sacrificed quick-access fan-speed and temperature buttons. Want to take the cabin from 30 degrees to 19 degrees Celsius quick-quick? Sorry, mate; you have to dive into the infotainment menu first.
Peugeot did make a concession by adding an air recirculation button and another one for demisting the inside of the windscreen.
Were these shortcomings a dealbreaker for potential buyers? We’ll probably never know, as Peugeot has withdrawn the 308 here and now focuses on selling the 3008 and 2008. You’ll find some 308 bargains here.
Sound quality: 4/5
Mazda3 hatch 1.5 Dynamic
From the Dynamic grade (R377 900) and up the Mazda3 comes with Mazda Connect, which uses a round, seven-way controller, within easy reach of the driver’s left hand.
Mazda knows that using a touch-screen can disturb the driver’s centre of gravity, if he has to extend his arm to press small or finicky virtual buttons. So, it placed the sleek 8.8” screen out of reach.
Some of the graphical swirls and half-circles, meant to add some cool, look a bit gimmicky. But it’s still a wonderfully simple system to use, and the user-friendliness is reminiscent of BMW’s iDrive system of about 5 years ago, before they made it too convoluted again.
The system is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Mazda carefully considered speaker placement, and in the latest Mazda3 some are in a more elevated position in the doors, for better sound quality. The Individual trim includes Bose sound.
Sound quality: 5/5
Verdict
The Mazda3 wins this show-down, with the VW Golf in second place and the Peugeot 308 third.
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