New Mazda 3 & Skoda Scala vs Kia Ceed
Infotainment systems
Kia Ceed
The Ceed, along with our other contenders, provides a range of online services, such as live traffic reports, because it can connect to the internet. It has the smallest and lowest-definition screen, with some small icons to try to hit while driving. It’s generally responsive and you get some physical shortcut buttons for swapping functions, plus it’s well equipped with in-built sat-nav, or you can use Google Maps via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone mirroring.
Mazda 3
The 3’s system is one of the best in this class. You get a large, crisp screen, the simple menus are easy to understand, and it’s the only one here controlled via a rotary controller and shortcut buttons. So instead of taking your eyes off the road to direct your finger at icons, you scroll through the menus using the controller; it requires less glancing away from the road. As with its rivals, it comes fitted with the latest connectivity features but, like the Ceed, no wireless charging.
Skoda Scala
The high-def touchscreen is the biggest here and surrounded by touch-sensitive shortcut buttons. Physical buttons (which its two rivals have) would be easier to find while driving and the system is sometimes a bit slow to react; Octavias with the same setup have been fine. The menus are simple to understand, though, and the system includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity; the other two require you to plug your phone into a USB.
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