For the majority of automotive history, a car’s dashboard was a simple, functional collection of analog dials, knobs, and buttons. Its purpose was to provide the driver with essential information and basic controls. In 2025, that humble dashboard has undergone a radical and dazzling transformation. It has become a sophisticated, high-definition, and intelligent digital command center—the very heart of the modern driving experience.
The best smart dashboard is now a key battleground for automakers, a place where they can showcase their technological prowess and define their brand’s identity. This is no longer just about the size of the screen; it’s about the seamless integration of stunning visuals, a lightning-fast and intuitive user interface, and powerful, AI-driven software. This guide is your tour of the vehicles that are at the absolute forefront of this digital revolution.
Introduction
Welcome to your curated guide to the five most innovative and impressive smart dashboard systems on the market in mid-2025. The purpose of this article is to provide a detailed review of the cars that are setting a new standard for the in-car digital experience. The core thesis is that the “best” dashboard is a perfect and harmonious blend of brilliant hardware and intelligent software. The vehicles on this list have achieved this balance, each with a unique philosophy, to create a driving experience that is safer, more connected, and more enjoyable than ever before.
What Makes a Dashboard “Smart” in 2025?
Before we dive into the list, it’s helpful to define the key criteria that separate a truly “smart” dashboard from just a large screen:
- Stunning Hardware: Large, vibrant, high-resolution displays that are seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s interior design.
- An Intuitive User Interface (UI): The software must be fast, easy to navigate, and should minimize the number of taps required to access common functions, reducing driver distraction.
- Integrated Intelligence: The system should be powered by a smart, conversational voice assistant and use AI to learn your habits and personalize the experience.
- Seamless Connectivity: It must offer wireless smartphone integration and the ability to receive over-the-air (OTA) software updates to improve over time.
The Top 5 Smart Dashboard Systems
1. The Mercedes-Benz EQS: The Visual Spectacle
The System: MBUX Hyperscreen
The MBUX Hyperscreen, found in the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan, is less of a dashboard and more of a piece of automotive art. It is the undisputed champion of visual “wow” factor.
The Hardware
The Hyperscreen is a single, massive, 56-inch pane of curved Gorilla Glass that stretches from one side of the car to the other. Seamlessly integrated into this glass panel are three distinct OLED displays: a digital instrument cluster for the driver, a massive central infotainment screen, and a third screen exclusively for the front passenger.
The Software and User Interface
The system runs the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX). Its most intelligent feature is the AI-powered “Zero Layer” interface. The AI learns your habits and proactively displays the most relevant applications and functions on the home screen at all times, virtually eliminating the need to dig through sub-menus. For example, if you always call a specific person on your commute home, the AI will learn this and will automatically present a “call” tile with that person’s picture on the screen at the appropriate time.
The Standout Feature
The sheer, immersive spectacle of the single-pane glass design is its standout feature. It creates a futuristic and deeply luxurious ambiance that is unmatched by any other car on the market.
The User Experience
The Hyperscreen is designed to be both stunning and surprisingly intuitive. The “Zero Layer” AI works brilliantly, and the “Hey, Mercedes” voice assistant is one of the most natural and conversational in the industry. It is the benchmark for an ultra-luxury, technology-forward driving experience.
2. The BMW i7: The Driver-Focused Cockpit
The System: BMW Curved Display with iDrive 9
BMW has always been focused on the “Ultimate Driving Machine,” and their approach to technology reflects this. Their smart dashboard is designed to be a powerful co-pilot that enhances, rather than distracts from, the act of driving.
The Hardware
The centerpiece of the modern BMW interior is the BMW Curved Display. It is a single, sweeping panel that seamlessly integrates a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch central infotainment touchscreen. Crucially, the entire unit is gently curved and ergonomically angled toward the driver.
The Software and User Interface
The system runs on the new iDrive 9 operating system, which is based on Android Automotive. It features a new “QuickSelect” interface, which, like Mercedes’ Zero Layer, is designed to reduce menu diving by placing key functions on the home screen. However, BMW’s secret weapon, and the key to its driver-focused philosophy, is the retention of the iconic iDrive rotary controller on the center console. This allows the driver to navigate every function of the system by feel, with tactile and precise clicks, without ever having to take their eyes off the road to use the touchscreen.
The Standout Feature
The combination of a brilliant, responsive touchscreen and the physical iDrive controller is the standout feature. It offers the “best of both worlds”—modern touch functionality when you’re parked and safe, tactile control when you’re driving.
The User Experience
The BMW i7 offers what is arguably the most user-friendly and least distracting smart dashboard on the market. It is a masterpiece of ergonomic design and is perfect for the driver who loves technology but still prioritizes the driving experience above all else.
3. The Cadillac Lyriq: The Seamless Panoramic Screen
The System: The 33-inch Advanced LED Display
Cadillac has made a bold statement with its new generation of electric vehicles, led by the Lyriq SUV. The centerpiece of this new design language is a breathtaking, pillar-to-pillar panoramic display.
The Hardware
The dashboard is dominated by a single, continuous 33-inch, 9K-resolution advanced LED display. Unlike the Mercedes system, which houses separate screens under one piece of glass, this is one single, seamless screen that curves gently in front of the driver.
The Software and User Interface
The system is powered by Google Built-in. This means that Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store are all natively integrated into the vehicle. The interface is clean, modern, and takes full advantage of the massive screen real estate, allowing for a split-screen view with navigation on one side and media or other apps on the other.
The Standout Feature
The single, uninterrupted 33-inch screen is the clear star of the show. Its vibrant colors, incredible resolution, and sheer scale create a deeply immersive and futuristic experience.
The User Experience
The Lyriq’s dashboard feels like a high-end home theater system. The Google Built-in software is fast, familiar, and powerful, with Google Assistant providing best-in-class voice commands. It is a stunning and highly functional interface that sets a new standard for American luxury.
4. The Audi Q8 e-tron: The Customizable Data Hub
The System: Audi MMI Touch Response with Virtual Cockpit Plus
Audi has long been a pioneer in digital dashboard technology, and its latest system continues to focus on providing the driver with a highly customizable and data-rich experience.
The Hardware
The Audi system is composed of three separate screens:
- The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus: A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
- An upper 10.1-inch central touchscreen for infotainment.
- A lower 8.6-inch touchscreen for climate control and other functions. The two central screens feature satisfying haptic feedback that provides a “click” sensation to confirm your touch.
The Software and User Interface
The Audi Virtual Cockpit remains the benchmark for a customizable instrument cluster. The driver can choose from a variety of views, including a “classic” view with traditional-looking dials or a stunning “panoramic” view that displays a full-screen, 3D satellite navigation map directly in front of them.
The Standout Feature
The customizability and brilliance of the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus is its signature feature. The ability to have a full, detailed navigation map directly in your line of sight is a game-changer that reduces the need to look away from the road.
The User Experience
The Audi experience is for the data-loving driver. It is a clean, modern, and highly functional interface that allows you to configure the information you see to your exact preferences.
5. The Rivian R1S/R1T: The Modern and Minimalist Interface
The System: The Rivian Driver Display and Center Display
As an EV-native startup, Rivian had the opportunity to design its digital experience from a clean slate, and the result is a modern, minimalist, and beautifully designed interface.
The Hardware
The dashboard consists of two main screens: a large, landscape-oriented center touchscreen that controls nearly all vehicle functions, and a smaller digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel.
The Software and User Interface
The system’s software is built on the Unreal Engine, which is a powerful graphics engine from the video game industry. This allows for beautiful, playful, and incredibly smooth 3D graphics. The user interface is clean and uncluttered, with a focus on simplicity.
The Standout Feature
The unique and charming 3D graphics and animations are the standout feature. For example, the Rivian’s driver-assistance system is represented by a crisp, real-time 3D model of your vehicle and the surrounding traffic on the instrument cluster.
The User Experience
The Rivian’s dashboard feels like a high-end piece of modern consumer technology. It is fast, beautiful, and intuitive. Its main drawback for some is its lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as Rivian has opted for a completely in-house software experience.
2025’s Smartest Dashboards at a Glance
| Car Model | Key Hardware Feature | Operating System | Standout Trait |
| 1. Mercedes-Benz EQS | A 56-inch, single-pane MBUX Hyperscreen with three OLED displays. | MBUX with “Zero Layer” AI | Visual Spectacle: The most stunning and immersive dashboard. |
| 2. BMW i7 | A 27.2-inch Curved Display paired with a physical iDrive controller. | BMW iDrive 9 (Android-based) | Driver-Focused Ergonomics: The best for ease of use while driving. |
| 3. Cadillac Lyriq | A single, continuous 33-inch, 9K-resolution LED display. | Google Built-in | Panoramic Display: A seamless, high-resolution screen. |
| 4. Audi Q8 e-tron | A 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit Plus and dual haptic-feedback touchscreens. | Audi MMI | Customizable Data: The most configurable instrument cluster. |
| 5. Rivian R1S/R1T | A landscape-oriented center screen with Unreal Engine graphics. | Rivian In-House OS | Modern & Minimalist: A clean, beautiful, and playful interface. |
Conclusion
The car dashboard has officially transformed from a simple utility into a sophisticated and central part of the automotive experience. It has become a key battleground for innovation, where automakers can showcase their technological vision and define their brand’s personality. While each of the five systems on this list takes a slightly different approach—from the breathtaking spectacle of the Mercedes Hyperscreen to the driver-focused ergonomics of the BMW iDrive—they all point to the same, clear future. Our relationship with our cars will be increasingly defined by a seamless, intelligent, and visually rich digital experience that makes every journey more connected and more enjoyable.