Volkswagen Touareg vs Volvo XC90 vs Range Rover Velar: which one has the best infotainment system?

By Chad Lückhoff

We compare the infotainment systems found in the latest Volkswagen Touareg, Range Rover Velar and Volvo XC90 premium SUVs.


Battling it out in the Premium Midsize SUV category is the likes of the Volkswagen Touareg, the Volvo XC90 and the Range Rover Velar. The XC90 is arguably the one that redefined the criteria in the segment, giving us technology and convenience that we were yet to see, wrapped up in a stylish, opulently trimmed package that made it hard to ignore. This was sufficient to give it a WesBank South African Car of the Year title in 2016.

That was three years ago and since then the opposition has upped their game, particularly in the technology field. Both the Range Rover Velar and the Volkswagen Touareg flex the digital muscle of their respective manufacturers, most noticeably in the area of infotainment systems.


Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI Executive R-Line

4.5/5

The Touareg sets the standard with an implausibly large, 15-inch screen in the centre console. The system in use is the Discover Premium, and this multifunction display operates in a very similar fashion to a tablet with single finger swipe for widget control and two-finger swiping to switch between the multiple screens. VW has dubbed it the Innovision Cockpit.

The user interface is logical and takes next to no time to get accustomed to with sensible menu layouts and crisp, clear titles to guide you through the menus and sub-menus. Much of the vehicle control and set up is handled by the Innovision Cockpit system and when paired with the optional Digital Display, the 12-inch TFT screen that replaces the analogue gauges, a multitude of layouts and displays can be tailored for the individual. This allows for a variety of information to be displayed in whichever way is appropriate for the driver.

Pairing the Innovision Cockpit with the Dynaudio 12-speaker audio system gives you 730w of crystal clear sound, ready to accept Bluetooth, USB or Aux input, or stream from the onboard hard drive storage. Interaction is strictly through the touchscreen or steering mounted controls with no concession made for a touchpad, wheel or joystick. Limited gesture control allows for swiping through stations or tracks.


Volvo XC90 T6 AWD R-Design

4/5

It can be argued that the large, tablet-style infotainment display was pioneered by the Swedes in the Volvo XC90. It was the first time that we had encountered a touchscreen of this size with smartphone / tablet-like functionality and menu design. Mounted in a portrait orientation, the 9-inch screen presents multiple pages with vehicle settings on one page and customizable option on the other. The third page offers a segmented shortcut layout for quick access to various functions such as radio, navigation, and media.

Users can either interact with the touchscreen or skip tracks through the bank of buttons that rest below the screen. These include a rotary dial for volume control. There is also the option to control common items via the steering wheel controls as well.

The system is augmented by the Bowers & Wilkins audio system that many regard to be amongst the best sounding systems available on the market today. It comprises of 19-speakers that provide unrivalled staging and depth thanks to the assortment of digital equalizers and sound profiles.


Range Rover Velar P250 R-Dynamic S

4/5

The Range Rover Velar is a design marvel with its sleek lines and carefully thought out design execution. While it manages to break a few rules, it remains true enough to the Land Rover / Range Rover design ethos as to remain relevant in today's market. It's much the same with the execution of the infotainment system that sees it split into two screens rather than one large display.

The two 10-inch displays are touch sensitive and control separate functions. The upper screen handles audio, media and navigation duties while vehicle settings and climate control are adjusted with the lower of the two screens. As simple as this may sound, the system suffers from a complex menu system, especially with regards to the HVAC and navigation controls. Audio is simple enough to connect with the system accepting Bluetooth, USB and Aux while Apple CarPlay is an optional extra.

The audio is plumbed through an 11-speaker sound system in the S model which sounds impressive at moderate volumes and only starts breaking up when the volume is cranked higher.

Control of the infotainment is done through the multifunction steering wheel or via touch input with no physical buttons or knobs available for volume control or shortcuts.