Review and Test Drive: Apple CarPlay’s Cool New Dual-Display Support in the VW Atlas Cross Sport

New Functionality Puts Turn-By-Turn Instructions Where They Belong

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By setting the car’s Digital Cockpit to View 3, I placed the destination information such as arrival time and distance remaining in miles or kilometers as well as the route guidance including the maneuver information card into the instrument cluster.

The advantages of having this type of navigation information are rather clear and obvious but nonetheless bear repeating: By placing turn-by-turn directions inside the instrument cluster and, where applicable, the head-up display, the driver has everything needed within his forward field of vision and reduces distractions as he needn’t look on other displays for this information.

I was curious what other vehicles have dual-screen functionality so I surveyed a dozen automakers to find out.

In addition to the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s support of multiple video streams, several models from BMW now support one additional stream for turn-by-turn directions in the instrument cluster.  The list of models includes the 2021 BMW 5 Series, 6 Series, and 8 Series as well as the X5, X6, and X7 with iDrive 7 and Live Cockpit Professional, as well as other models where Live Cockpit Professional is an option and present in the vehicle including the 3 Series and 4 Series.

The new Volkswagen Golf that will go on sale at the end of 2021 will also support the functionality via the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, and the new ID.4 electric vehicle, even though it will not have the Digital Cockpit option, will nonetheless support turn-by-turn instructions from CarPlay in the instrument cluster at launch.

(Photos: Accura Media Group)

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