Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 530e vs Mercedes E 300 e: interior and infotainment

These are two fantastic cars to spend time in, but the BMW's better infotainment system sees it edge ahead

BMW 530e xDrive

The BMW is best here, too, although only by a fraction. Both cars have great driving positions, with heated seats and partial power-adjustment. We’d like BMW to fit standard adjustable lumbar support as Mercedes does (it’s part of a £1,995 Comfort Pack on the BMW), but the 5 Series is still a comfortable car by any measure.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It also has the more logical dashboard interface, with an intuitive switch layout and infotainment system. The 12.3-inch touchscreen and rotary-dial controller combination is easy to use, and the screen has graphics that would shame plenty of HD televisions.

There are some annoying quirks, such as the standard Apple CarPlay being difficult to activate, but generally it’s one of the best systems to use. Android Auto isn’t an option, which does let it down.
 
The Mercedes isn’t far behind at all, with a similarly huge, glossy screen offering sharp graphics and more generous standard equipment given that both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included.

The digital driver’s display is also more configurable than the BMW’s, but notably the voice command aspect of the standard Mercedes 'Audio 20' system is quite poor, and it’s sometimes trickier to use the rotary dial and touchpad combination rather than a touchscreen.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New DS No8 promises a big 465-mile range and super-fast charging
DS No8 - front static
News

New DS No8 promises a big 465-mile range and super-fast charging

DS is targeting premium car buyers with its ‘serene’ No8, a car that signals a rebirth for the brand
12 Dec 2024
MINI Aceman review
MINI Aceman - front tracking
In-depth reviews

MINI Aceman review

MINI’s all-electric small SUV is just as fun as the brand’s staple hatch, with an added layer of practicality
10 Dec 2024
Best hybrid sports cars 2025
Best hybrid sports cars
Best cars

Best hybrid sports cars 2025

Hybrid power can make a sports car faster and more fuel-efficient; we rank the best models on sale
27 Nov 2024