In the smaller segment, connectivity of communication and multimedia is becoming increasingly important, but how do the different brands deal with this?
The connectivity solutions vary in the A segment. For example, the Volkswagen Up has no built-in touchscreen at all. How do you operate the navigation or make a phone call? Well, Volkswagen lets your phone function as the central display of your Up via an app. The size and speed of your phone do determine your user experience in the car.
Mirror Screen technology
The latest generation of city bugs uses a central screen to which you can connect your phone. The display then loads the apps from your phone and shows a selection of applications such as Google Maps, Spotify and the contact list, all of which can be controlled via your car. This Mirror Screen technology can be found in both the Toyota Aygo (3) and the Citroen C1 (8) and the Peugeot 108 (9). The nice thing about this simple system is that the personalization and lists that you build up on your phone can be used directly in your car. You can also easily set your navigation on Maps in advance. When you get in, use the Mirror Screen to cast your display to your car and you’re ready to go.
Digital cockpit
The B-segment models often go a step further with their own connectivity solutions. These solutions are fully controlled from the car and synchronize with your phone if necessary. The car brands themselves are in control to optimize the user experience. In the Renault Clio (7) this is done with the EASY LINK system, whereby the choice is up to the user. Siri or Google? Screen landscape or portrait? You decide. This Renault system also lets you program your preferred settings for your seats, mirrors and sound level.
The Peugeot 208 (4) also introduced the Peugeot i-Cockpit 3D. Here, connectivity has been extended through the entire cockpit and the dashboard has also been digitized. This of course immediately brings possibilities for displaying the navigation in the dashboard. Other cars within the segment that have implemented this digitization of the dashboard are, for example, the Opel Corsa (2) and Ford Fiesta (1). These are also the models that are doing very well among business drivers.
Association of Business Drivers Lease Top 10
| # | Brand | Fashion model | List price | Addition |
| 1 | Ford | Fiesta | € 17,675 | € 120 |
| 2 | Opel | Corsa | € 16,900 | € 115 |
| 3 | Toyota | Aygo | € 11,735 | € 80 |
| 4 | Peugeot | 208 | € 18,070 | € 123 |
| 5 | Toyota | Yaris | € 17,995 | € 122 |
| 6 | KIA | Picanto | € 14,215 | € 97 |
| 7 | Renault | Clio | € 18,180 | € 124 |
| 8 | Lemon | C1 | € 12,170 | € 83 |
| 9 | Peugeot | 108 | € 11,925 | € 81 |
| 10 | Volkswagen | UP | € 15,805 | € 108 |
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