BMW X5 hybrid vs Porsche Cayenne hybrid vs Jaguar I-Pace: interior and infotainment

When spending the best part of £60,000 on a car, you want it to feel special inside – thankfully, all three of these SUVs feel suitably high-end in the space where you'll be spending most time. The X5's interior is particularly well designed and built, its design echoing that of the latest 3 Series saloon. There's refreshing lack of buttons; instead, the majority of major functions are controlled via an excellent infotainment system spread across two 12.3-inch screens. The system itself is snappy and easy to understand, with its only real downfall being a lack of Android Auto connectivity, at least for now. Apple CarPlay is supported, however. 

The Porsche's interior (above) feels altogether more driver-focused thanks to its high dash and low seating position; build and material choice is as great as you'd hope, while Porsche's infotainment is amongst the best around. A large, crisp central touchscreen is complemented by the traditional five-pod set-up behind the steering wheel, with various customisation options. Sat-nav, DAB, bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity come as standard, but to really kit out your Cayenne's interior you'll still need to fork out extra for touches like keyless entry, heated seats and ambient interior lighting. 

Jaguar has done well to make the I-Pace's interior feel almost as luxurious and high-end as its big-budget German competitors'. It feels well screwed together and the quality of finish and materials used is good, while the design feels modern without being overly confusing. There's a lot of scope for personalisation at configuration time too, much more so than on the X5, and at least as many options as you get on the Cayenne.

We're not big fans of the infotainment however: it runs across three separate screens, with two stacked on the centre console and the third behind the steering wheel. Called Touch Pro Duo, the system uses to top screen for navigation and connectivity, with the lower screen reserved for car functions, working by touch and with some integrated dials.

The system lacks the polish and intuitive nature of its rivals, and while it's generally up to the task, it feels a little less sophisticated than those in the BMW and Porsche. Good levels of standard kit help atone for this, however, especially when compared to the relatively stingy Porsche. Overall, the X5 and Cayenne are joint victors when it comes to interior fit, finish and appeal, but the Jaguar doesn't trail far enough behind to discount itself. All three are modern, well-appointed luxury SUVs.