An ongoing race across the global automotive industry is seeing a growing number of automakers compete to deliver the vehicle of the future, with many increasing the number of technologies present in the vehicle and their importance in the overall user experience. The success of these technologies, however, depends on their ability to ensure that key user experiences are delivered in a seamless, and satisfactory, manner. In achieving this, OEMs, suppliers, developers and start-ups can ensure continuously successful product launches, while securing long-term customer loyalty to the vehicle and its ecosystem of digital services.
Recognizing the impact of HMI features on the overall in-vehicle user experience is our best-selling In-Car HMI UX Evaluation & Benchmarking report series. Representing one of our longest running reports, each entry provides a comprehensive, analytical assessment of the latest HMI systems launched in vehicles around the world. Together, they assess and identify which OEMs are leading the in-vehicle HMI space, and which ones are falling behind. In 2024, our UX experts reviewed and benchmarked the systems provided in nine new vehicles released by various automakers, ranging from legacy manufacturers to new market entrants.
In this Insight, we will be taking a closer look at the reports released across the 2024 In-Car HMI UX report series. While providing an overview of the top-level takeaways from each report, we will also be detailing how you can secure your subscription to the 2025 series, which is set to review the systems offered in a new set of vehicles, such as the Cadillac Escalade IQ and the NIO ET9.
2024 Vehicle Test Line-Up
2024 BMW X1
The first entry in our 2024 HMI UX series reviewed the new BMW X1. While our experts praised the usability of the car’s new ConnectedDrive Store for its similarities to mobile app stores, they also found some surprising stability issues that were not as prominent in previous BMW models.
2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
In reviewing the new E-Class, our UX team enjoyed the car’s broad range of delight features offered across several domains. However, a series of complicated and overwhelming controls implemented for some of these features, they felt, could be detrimental to their overall usability.
Xiaomi SU7
In this edition, our experts tested Xiaomi’s first EV, the SU7. While admiring the integration of the EV’s Smart Cabin with Xiaomi’s technology ecosystem, our experts underscored the potential benefits the tech giant could gain by opening this integration up to third party smartphones.
2024 Lincoln Nautilus
When testing the 2024 Nautilus, our experts were impressed by the usability of the new Lincoln Digital Experience and its potential to facilitate safer, more seamless, interactions. Although, broader stability issues found within the system could unearth new weaknesses if not resolved.
2024 KONA Electric
Our experts enjoyed the convenience offered by the new Kona Electric’s delight features, especially those central to the EV ownership experience. But, for many of these features, a series of integration issues led their usability to feel inconsistent, confusing and difficult.
2024 Acura ZDX
This report saw the team test Acura’s first EV, which utilizes Google built-in. Our experts felt this integration shared similar strengths and weaknesses to other Google built-in vehicles, though noted strengths in other HMI domains, alongside critical weaknesses in the AM/FM radio.
Avatr 12
The latest EV from Avatr Technologies, our experts felt, greatly benefitted from utilizing Huawei’s HarmonyOS, offering features and capabilities that enable unique, seamless, user experiences. For some users, however, its lack of third-party support could limit its overall functionality.
Audi Q6 e-tron
While praising the usability boost in safety and personalization facilitated by the all-new Q6 e-tron’s interior and exterior lighting systems, our UX team felt that these innovations were held back by several implementation issues they found while testing the EV’s navigation system.
Mini Electric Countryman
While finding the electric Countryman’s circular OLED display particularly impressive, our experts felt its HMI system suffered from extremely poor stability. Here, they experienced 11 bugs, four of which were considered critical, a full system crash and serious intermittent lag.
End-of-Year Summary
Our 2024 HMI UX series concluded with an analytical comparison of the vehicles tested throughout the year. While assessing their HMI commonalities and performance across several key domains, concise car-by-car summaries offered deeper analysis and key takeaways.
With the 2024 In-car HMI UX Evaluation and Benchmarking report series concluded, we are excited to begin working on the 2025 series. This year, our HMI experts will review nine vehicles, creating one detailed UX report created for each, before compiling these insights into a summary report highlighting key comparisons and best practices.
For 2025, a subscription to the HMI UX series can be secured through our User Experience Domain Pass, one of our new 2025 Domain Passes designed to help industry professionals stay ahead. Each of these passes offers access to our research reports within a specific domain, including:
ADAS & Autonomy
Cockpit & Infotainment
Digital Connected Services
Electrification
Innovation & Strategy
Security
Software-Defined Vehicles
User Experience
Each pass also includes an exclusive, custom report that consolidates insights from our diverse reports into one normalized view, offering a clear perspective on OEM strategies within that domain. For more details, or to receive our full catalog, contact us today!