Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Review: How the Digital Dashboard & Infotainment System Works
Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, also known as Active Info Display, replaces traditional analog gauges with a customizable screen designed to integrate information and navigation, but its implementation has faced significant user criticism. This technology represents a major shift in how drivers interact with their vehicles, aiming to enhance convenience and modernize the cabin experience.
The Evolution of VW’s Digital Dashboard
Volkswagen’s journey into digital instrumentation began with systems like the Active Info Display. This was Volkswagen’s iteration of the digital cockpit concept, similar to Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, which replaced physical dials with a 12.3-inch TFT screen.
Initial Shortcomings: The first-generation system, notably in models like the Mk7.5 Golf GTI, was criticized for being functionally limited. Reviewers found it lacked the flexibility expected from a digital system. For instance, zooming out the virtual dials only provided a minimal increase in map space, and the system restricted features based on the infotainment unit installed. This led to a perception that the system was “artificially hamstrung” to upsell customers to higher-tier options like the Discover Pro system.
Design and Integration Issues: Early users also reported frustrations with basic design choices, such as the use of an italicized font for the gear indicator and speed that didn’t visually match other elements in the car’s interface. More critically, the integration between the digital dashboard and the central infotainment screen was often poor. With the base Discover system, selecting the map view on the digital dashboard would cause the main infotainment screen to go nearly blank, displaying only a small compass. This defeated the purpose of having multiple displays and created a disjointed user experience.
How the Modern Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Works
The system has evolved significantly. The newer Active Info Display II, first seen in models like the MkVI Polo, addressed many initial flaws by offering greater flexibility.
- Core Display and Customization: The primary screen shows vital driving data like speed, engine RPM, navigation, and driver-assistance alerts. A key advancement in later systems is the ability to radically change the layout. Drivers can minimize the classic dials or remove them entirely, replacing them with a full-screen map or a large digital speed readout.
- Infotainment Integration: The system is designed to work in tandem with Volkswagen’s central infotainment systems (like Discover Media or Discover Pro). Ideally, information can be seamlessly shifted between the two screens. For example, the driver can choose to have turn-by-turn navigation instructions appear prominently between the digital dials or on the central screen.
- Control Mechanisms: Drivers interact with the Digital Cockpit primarily using buttons and knobs on the multi-function steering wheel. This allows control over the system’s view and menus without the driver needing to take their hands off the wheel.
The following table outlines the key differences between the earlier and more recent implementations of Volkswagen’s digital dashboard technology:
| Feature | Earlier Active Info Display (e.g., Mk7.5 Golf) | Modern Active Info Display II (e.g., MkVI Polo) |
|---|---|---|
| Customization | Limited; dials could be zoomed only slightly. | High; dials can be minimized or removed for full-screen maps. |
| Font & Design | Criticized for inconsistent, “naff” fonts. | Presumably improved for better coherence. |
| Map Display | Restricted; showing map on dash blanked main screen on base systems. | Flexible; allows for better dual-screen functionality. |
| System Logic | Felt “artificially hamstrung” to promote premium options. | Designed with more user-centric functionality. |
User Experience: Strengths and Criticisms
The transition to a fully digital dashboard has been a point of debate among Volkswagen owners and enthusiasts.
- Positive Shifts: The move towards systems like Active Info Display II shows Volkswagen learning from feedback. The increased customization is a direct response to earlier criticisms about rigidity. A well-implemented digital cockpit can reduce driver distraction by placing more key information directly in the line of sight.
- Common Criticisms: Beyond the early technical flaws, some criticisms are philosophical. A segment of users prefers the timeless, immediate feel of physical gauges, finding digital screens to be “too much electronics for the sake of it”. Other noted issues included gimmicky features like gesture controls that didn’t work reliably and the general complexity that can accompany such systems.
The Road Ahead for Digital Interfaces
Volkswagen’s digital cockpit is part of a broader industry shift. Future systems will likely focus on deeper personalization, higher-resolution graphics, and even more seamless integration with smartphones and vehicle ecosystems. The goal is to create an intuitive interface where the technology fades into the background, serving the driver without becoming a source of frustration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit called?
Volkswagen’s system has been marketed under names like Active Info Display for the earlier versions and Active Info Display II for the newer, more flexible system found in recent models.
Can I get a full-screen map on the digital dashboard?
This depends heavily on the generation of your system. Early versions (e.g., in the Mk7.5 Golf) did not allow a true full-screen map, only letting you zoom the dials out slightly. The newer Active Info Display II system allows you to minimize or remove the dials entirely for a full-screen navigation view.
Does the digital dashboard work with any infotainment system?
No, functionality can be limited by the central infotainment unit. In earlier cars with the base “Discover” system, using the map on the digital dashboard would cause the main infotainment screen to go mostly blank. Higher-end systems offer better integration.
Is the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit better than analog gauges?
This is subjective. Digital cockpits offer superior customization and information integration. However, some drivers prefer the classic, immediate look and feel of physical gauges and find digital screens to be a distracting or unnecessary complication.
Has Volkswagen improved the digital dashboard over time?
Yes, significantly. The newer Active Info Display II system, first introduced in models like the Polo, directly addressed major complaints about the older system by offering much greater layout flexibility and functionality.
If you’re curious about how this digital experience integrates with Volkswagen’s driving aids, I can also provide details on the IQ.DRIVE driver assistance suite.
