Summary
Today's automobiles are undergoing a major transformation with automation, electrification, and connectedness. Along with this, there has been an unprecedented shift in the HMI (Human-Machine Interface) that connects automobiles and people. To explore the current state of HMI, the author has compared the HMIs of the main vehicles sold by each company for BEV sales, clarified the characteristics of each, and considered the future direction of HMIs. The vehicles studied were C-segment SUVs (Japanese specifications) from six Japanese, European, Korean, and Chinese automakers (Toyota Motor Corporation, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Volkswagen (VW), Volvo, Hyundai Motor Company, and BYD Auto Co. Ltd.). The evaluation was conducted by the author of this report, who has been evaluating HMI ergonomics at automobile manufacturers for over 30 years, by driving on city streets and expressways during daytime and nighttime respectively.
The HMI in all of these vehicles is a combination of a large touch panel and an LCD display, and the number of hard switches has been significantly reduced, which is the mainstream HMI type these days. However, when looking at the details, the HMI concepts are very different, and the differences in each OEM' philosophy towards HMI are striking.
In this report, the characteristics of each vehicle's HMI are identified, its advantages and disadvantages are clarified, and future HMIs are discussed.
Related reports:
Automotive World 2024: HMI Technology Trends (Mar. 2024)
Automotive Interiors Expo 2023 Europe (Jan. 2024)
Japan Mobility Show 2023: Trends in HMI (Nov. 2023)
IAA Mobility 2023: HMI in European and Chinese Cars (Oct. 2023)
IAA Mobility 2023: Car Interior Trends (Oct. 2023)
Car.HMI Europe 2023: User-focused next-generation HMI (Jul. 2023)
JSAE 2023 in Yokohama: On the Approach Run towards Next Generation HMI (Jul. 2023)
Local Reconstruction Note
This article has been expanded from the visible local mirror text, headings, tags, image captions, tables, and related local article titles. It is presented as a reconstructed reading version, not as a hidden original document.
Overview of 6 SUV-style BEVs
The source outline identifies this section as part of “HMI Comparison of 6 BEV Models - Major C-segment SUVs”. Based on the available local metadata, this section should be read through the lens of Technology Show, Autonomous, HMI, EV, Vehicles & OEMs, Nissan and the visible introduction, figures, captions, and tables.
Center display
The source outline identifies this section as part of “HMI Comparison of 6 BEV Models - Major C-segment SUVs”. Based on the available local metadata, this section should be read through the lens of Technology Show, Autonomous, HMI, EV, Vehicles & OEMs, Nissan and the visible introduction, figures, captions, and tables.
Meter
The source outline identifies this section as part of “HMI Comparison of 6 BEV Models - Major C-segment SUVs”. Based on the available local metadata, this section should be read through the lens of Technology Show, Autonomous, HMI, EV, Vehicles & OEMs, Nissan and the visible introduction, figures, captions, and tables.
Steering switches
The source outline identifies this section as part of “HMI Comparison of 6 BEV Models - Major C-segment SUVs”. Based on the available local metadata, this section should be read through the lens of Technology Show, Autonomous, HMI, EV, Vehicles & OEMs, Nissan and the visible introduction, figures, captions, and tables.
Shifter
The source outline identifies this section as part of “HMI Comparison of 6 BEV Models - Major C-segment SUVs”. Based on the available local metadata, this section should be read through the lens of Technology Show, Autonomous, HMI, EV, Vehicles & OEMs, Nissan and the visible introduction, figures, captions, and tables.
Related Local Signals
Nearby records in the local archive include Taipei AMPA 2026: Foxconn’s EV Technology; Smart Energy Week 2026: Batteries and Charging; Electrified Vehicle (xEV) Sales Monthly Report (March 2026); Geely i-HEV Intelligent Hybrid Technology Presentation. These titles can be used as adjacent evidence when comparing suppliers, technologies, markets, and reporting periods.