As the future comes faster each day, modern cars are going electric in more ways than one. It's not just the performance, power specs, and range you must look at. Even the tech inside the cabin is getting better and better. To laymen, better tech means more giant touchscreens, and they are right to a large extent. Having a full LED display at your fingertips is exciting, but how big will these displays be?
From the looks of the current trends, the touchscreens and infotainment centers within vehicles will continue to grow, but not all the experts in the industry agree that the screens will continue to increase in size. BMW CEO Oliver Zipse has stated that within 10 years, the huge screens will be back under control. Maybe because people will realize they are not needed, or the powers that be will understand that they are not safe. Either way, the executives at BMW feel strongly that they will be a thing of the past.
We can't help but compare them to the digital touchpads we use at home - the bigger, the better. Let's take a look at a list of cars that boast LED displays and see how big they are:
Updated April 28, 2023: The future is never completely clear for any industry, including automotive and technology. The one thing that is for sure is that as each year goes by, the new vehicles that are presented on the market follow along with the demands, which are currently "bigger is better." Let's review some of the cars with the largest touchscreens and go over a few more that belong on this list.
15 Toyota Tundra: 14.0 inches
The Toyota Tundra may not be one of the first pickup trucks you think of right off the top of your head, but they are quickly becoming one of the top dogs in its class. Since it was redesigned in 2022 for the first time in a long time, the Tundra has evolved into a better, more capable truck. Inside, you can opt for a 14-inch screen that controls everything within the infotainment center. The standard size is only 8 inches, so the larger screen must be ordered or installed after buying.
14 Lexus RX 350: 14.0 inches
For 2023 you can only get the Lexus RX 350 SUV as a two-row, five-seat vehicle, but with the right options, it will have the 14-inch touchscreen rather than the smaller 9.8-inch screen that is standard. The screen is directly in the middle of the front dash but slightly angled toward the driver to give a clearer view. The Lexus software interface processes the data and can connect to either Apple or Droid devices. Plus, like many cars today, it offers a heads-up display to help drivers keep their eyes on the road to improve safety.
13 Ford F-150 Lightning: 15.5 inches
When the Ford F-150 Lightning lit up the scene, it took the market by storm, offering to light up your home if needed. Of course, that is not the main reason you buy a truck, but that is a pretty cool bonus. The Ford Lightning is an all-electric truck driven by two separate motors that offer up to 580 horsepower. But, we are here to look at the size of the infotainment center, which is 15.5 inches for now. It is run by Ford's latest Sync 4 software, offering the occupants many bells and whistles you would expect from a new truck today.
12 Ford Mustang Mach-E: 15.5 inches
When the Ford Mustang Mach-E first came out, the people looking for a high-performance SUV were in awe, the classic Mustang lovers were sick to their stomachs, and the rest of the world held their breath to see what would happen. What did happen is that Ford hit another home run, filling the need for an SUV that was not a basic SUV and, to top it off, one that was all electric and kicked out no harmful carbon emissions. The infotainment center in the Mach-E is only 15.5 inches for now, but do not be too surprised if it gets bigger in the near future.
11 Rivian R1S: 16.0 inches
Rivian is a small start-up company based out of California that you may not think to even see on a list of this type, but here it is. The Rivian R1S is built with a digital dashboard and includes a digital driver display and touchscreen. It also has a smaller rear touch screen, allowing passengers to change the climate control settings while in the car's back seat. The Rivian R1S did not have the disadvantage of starting production with an ICE under the hood, so they do not have to look backward to plow a new road into the future.
10 Porsche Taycan: 16.8 inches
Porsche has gone for a pretty basic layout - a fixed menu bar on the left and a tab bar on the top. This simple approach is easy to learn and highly adaptable. The menus are easy to navigate, even for those unfamiliar with high-tech stuff. The screens are a bit short and stretch far across the dash - this will take a bit of getting used to, but overall they are pretty handy for the driver. The great thing for everyone is that Porsche has made the screen 16.8 inches in the Taycan to make it easier to see.
9 GMC Sierra EV: 16.8 inches
The GMC Sierra EV comes standard with an "infotainment system" that measures 16.8 inches and has several connectivity features. This includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (which is almost identical to the Android smartphone), an 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. The touch screen permits over-the-air (OTA) software updates. This electric truck will be the second of such type offered by GMC, along with the Hummer EV.
8 Tesla Model X: 17.0 inches
In addition to the instrument panel, The Tesla Model X has a front and rear touchscreen. The touchscreen controls several features, such as cabin heating, air conditioning, headlights, and more. You can also use the touchscreen to control your entertainment options, navigate the road, and customize your Model X to suit your every need. It even comes with hands-free voice command options - you will feel like Batman driving this thing!
7 Chevy Silverado EV: 17.0 inches
While the standard Silverado touchscreen is smaller, the top-spec EV model boasts an impressive 17-inch touchscreen that lets you control your truck like a boss. From the HVAC to infotainment controls, you will fall in love with this touchscreen in no time. Chevrolet has also decided to use the Silverado EV to inaugurate its new Linux-based OS that keeps the software and hardware apart, enabling quick and frequent over-the-air updates.
6 BMW i7: 31.3 inches
It should come as no surprise that the BMW i7 comes with a touchscreen that matches its fine quality. However, this entry is in this list in a slightly unconventional way. It's not the touchscreen on the dash we're talking about, but the 'Theater Screen' at the rear, which is a massive 31.3-inch touchscreen. It gives you complete control over all of the car's awesome features, like climate control, an excellent sound system, and high-quality electric options - from headlights to seat warmers. You will feel like a king when you get behind the wheel of this fine machine!
5 Lucid Air: 34.0 inches
Unlike many other modern models, the Lucid Air has held back a bit with its LED display, choosing to go with common sense and proper functionality instead of Star Trek-style looks that cover your dashboard. Its large 34.0-inch display is three separate panels broken up by categories and grouped by similar controls. The smallest panel on the left handles critical functions like the headlights, locks, and windshield wipers. The center main display takes information like your speed and charge level. The right display above the dashboard's center is your main infotainment screen - it handles all your media, communication, and navigation needs.
4 Cadillac Escalade: 38.0 inches
The Cadillac Escalade is a big vehicle with a giant touchscreen. It has been the flagship of the SUV line for Cadillac since 1999, when it was first introduced. If you like big vehicles but do not want to give up luxury, the Cadillac Escalade is the ride for you. Unlike other models that just stick a touchpad on the center console, Cadillac built its touchscreen into the dashboard for a sleek look. A big screen for a big SUV!
3 Lincoln Nautilus: 48.0 inches
The Lincoln Nautilus is an SUV built on Ford's luxury line of vehicles, with a hybrid drivetrain and a foundation the same as the mighty Bronco Sport and Ford Maverick. All-wheel drive is standard now, as are the ambient lighting and leather-wrapped seats, giving top-end luxury to an SUV built for everyday use. The infotainment screen is made of two separate screens, each measuring just under 24 inches, giving the entire screen a rounded-up total of 48 inches.
2 Cadillac Celestiq: 55.0 inches
The Cadillac Celestiq has a massive 55-inch screen on the dashboard. It's loaded with features that give you complete control over the entire car, from climate control to multimedia - you will wonder how you ever got along without one! And, with the Celestiq fighting for the title of King of Luxury cars, it's no surprise that it has a massive touchscreen interface to back it up!
1 Mercedes EQS: 56.0 inches
Last but definitely not least, we have the Mercedes EQS. The interior of this incredible car takes luxury to the next level. The massive 56-inch size is a bit misleading - it's actually a full-dash panel that houses a pair of 12.3-inch displays. One is placed in front of the driver, and another is positioned in front of the passenger. There is also a 17.7-inch central touchscreen. These are placed behind a single glass panel, hence the 56.0-inch measurement. Mercedes calls this masterpiece of electronic engineering the "Hyperscreen."