Automakers seem to be in a race with one another when it comes to screens. After installing a 31.3-inch display in the rear of the long-wheelbase 7 Series and Chinese 5 Series, BMW has launched the new iX3 with iDrive X and a 17.9-inch touchscreen at the front. In addition, a columnar windshield projection called “Panoramic Vision” is planned for virtually all models.
Arch-rivals Audi and Mercedes have taken a step forward and installed an additional display specifically for the front passenger. BMW hasn’t yet made a firm commitment to taking this route, saying only that there’s “huge demand” for passenger screens. A few months ago, Stephan Durach, Senior Vice President UI/UX Development, told us that customers were asking about:
“You know, there’s a lot of demand. People are asking for it. I want to have my own screen to consume content. There’s space. So you can think about it.”
It seems the first BMWs with passenger screens are coming sooner than we thought. Initial reports said the facelifted 5 Series, due out in 2027, would lead the way. However, the first models are expected to come onto the market at the beginning of next year. A reputable insider from the Bimmer post It is said in forums that the new X5 “G65” and the 7 Series “G70” LCI will both have the additional screen.
BMW has announced the duo’s official premiere in 2026, but without providing any details about the SUV or sedan. We can safely say that the X5 and 7 will get the new iDrive X infotainment with Panoramic Vision. Since January we have been reporting on the possibility of seeing passenger screens in production cars. This is increasingly likely to happen, but only in larger vehicles that have enough dashboard space for another display.
But Durach told us BMW wanted to avoid distracting the driver too much. The passenger screen may be small and/or its contents may not be visible from the driver’s seat for safety reasons, as is the case with other brands of cars.
Some would argue that these displays are redundant as they largely reproduce what is visible on the main touchscreen, which sits just a few centimeters away. As long as BMW makes this an option and doesn’t force it on all cars, we don’t see a problem. When it comes to the next X5, we can extrapolate and assume the X7 “G67” will have it too when it launches in 2027. We wouldn’t rule it out for the X6 “G66” either, but the peppy SUV won’t come onto the market until 2028.
Source: Bimmer Post
