10 years ago, most car buyers wouldn’t have given the integrated operating system (OS) a second thought. Today, it’s become a critical part of the modern car-driving experience – and can be a make or break feature for tech lovers. The best vehicle OSes allow the driver to tailor their own experience, giving you freedom over what apps you use and how you want to interact with the system, and one of the companies making the most impressive advances in this space is BMW, with the luxury German automaker’s iDrive 9 being the latest and greatest example.
BMW’s been at the front of the infotainment and car OS game for decades now, right back to the release of the original iDrive system in 2001. Since then, the introduction of mainstream electric cars, phone-based infotainment and extremely fast processors have rocked the automotive world, completely changing what customers are demanding – and what automakers are able to achieve.
BMW has deployed innovative tech like heads-up displays and surround-view cameras in its vehicles for decades now, and the company’s latest iDrive 9 system stands out among competitors for its easy and fast interface. I’ve been spending the last couple of weeks with the company’s cars, including the MINI Countryman and the BMW 218 Gran Coupé. In that time it’s been easy to appreciate the BMW’s approach to infotainment. Among the legendary automakers that BMW directly competes with, iDrive 9 is unique for its speed and how little it gets in the way, delivering all of the features you need without unnecessary screens and menus.
And it’s this time with iDrive 9 that has me so excited for 2026, when the company will redefine the in-car digital experience with a groundbreaking OS simply called Operating System X.
A seamless infotainment system
Before we get to that though, it’s worth taking a quick tour of BMW’s current iDrive 9 OS, which is already impressive. This comes equipped with integrated 5G connectivity for apps and navigation, resulting in a faster, more responsive experience from the infotainment screen when accessing online services.
During my time with the BMW 218 Gran Coupé and MINI Countryman, this was most noticeable when queuing music up from apps or (when pulled over) playing videos from streaming services. Loading was extremely quick and felt seamless – as if I was using a laptop or PC.
While it may be tempting to want to plug in your phone and project its integrated apps onto the centre screen, BMW has made significant progress in creating an experience that completely cuts out the need for your phone to act as a middleman. It’s an approach many drivers will appreciate, especially those who don’t like their phone Maps apps, and would rather use the BMW navigation app for its all-encompassing features (more on that below). BMW’s ethos with iDrive has been to not just make your car another gadget, but to provide you with features that are genuinely useful and enhance the driving experience.
I would often use BMW and MINI’s in-built navigation systems, as they were much more holistic than using a phone-based OS. Upcoming turns, for example, would be reflected on the car’s head-up display, and when I needed to change lanes, the front-facing camera would activate on the centre screen, illustrating my immediate driving directions in a non-distracting way.
A great example of how iDrive 9 brings the user into focus is with the ability to assign shortcuts. Swipe down from the top of the centre screen, no matter what app you’ve got open, in a new (or updated) BMW and you’ll be presented with a menu with four slots. Each slot can be bound to your choice of feature, letting you quickly tweak your driving experience.
I quickly grew to love this feature because it really empowers the driver. There’s no messing around in layers of menus to find specific functions and, rather, you can optimise the driving experience just for you. Saved radio stations, destinations, phone numbers and even specific submenus are all bindable with these shortcuts. Having ready access to parts of the infotainment system that you use frequently is a brilliant idea – and one that keeps your eyes on the road as it prevents you from needing to dive into menu screens.
None of that’s to suggest BMW’s OS is difficult to navigate – it’s a lot more forward-thinking than most rivals, in fact. A persistent bar of infotainment options exists at the bottom of the centre screen (positioned without causing too much distance between the steering wheel, your hand and the display), allowing you to quickly pull up the music, navigation, phone, car settings and app menus.
There’s also a dedicated climate settings button, but iDrive 9 also has climate controls worked into the aforementioned bar itself, so you’re not distracted from the road when turning the aircon down.
Also noteworthy is BMW’s commitment to robust phone apps. The My BMW and MINI Connected apps allow a driver to remotely pre-plan their navigation route, check EV battery or fuel level (or, in a plug-in hybrid, both), quickly adjust airconditioning settings and lock and unlock the car, all through a pleasantly laid-out and uncomplicated user interface.
I loved being able to check in on the MINI Countryman’s current status when parked and recharging, and being able to send directions directly to a car is extremely welcome – especially if you’re looking to plan a long trip and want to factor in fuel stops or charging stations.
My favourite feature by far is the ability to move your car forward and back from outside of the vehicle using the phone app. This neat ability is available with select BMW models, and is perfect for getting a vehicle in and out of tight parking spots. You can also go keyless and add your car key to your Apple or Google Wallet with BMW Digital Key Plus.
iDrive 9 offers additional features when subscribed to the MINI Connected or BMW ConnectedDrive packages, including more detailed inbuilt navigation information and access to downloadable apps (such as Spotify and select games) via BMW’s AirConsole system. Of course, you can still use a phone-based operating system for music playback, but you’ll get the best integrated experience when using installed apps.
The operating systems in the latest BMW and MINI vehicles are undeniably class-leading – and with Operating System X, the company’s in-car information screens are undergoing one of the biggest overhauls in automotive history.
In 2026, Operating System X will debut with the all-new BMW iX3 electric SUV, and will come to other models over time. While all eligible BMW models will eventually receive the operating system upgrade to OS X, models from 2026 onwards will receive the epic new Panoramic iDrive feature – a windscreen-ranging combination of the instrument cluster and infotainment systems.
Panoramic iDrive builds upon the company’s heads-up display tech to be bigger and better than ever, displaying important driving information and infotainment spanning the entire width of the windscreen. This includes current speed, the odometer, remaining range (and battery capacity), navigation and climate information. It almost looks holographic but, in reality, it’s a far-reaching screen across the dashboard.
A centre screen remains for interaction with the same easy-to-grasp user interface introduced with iDrive 9, but the instrument cluster has been shifted entirely to the panoramic view. Supporting this design change is a redesigned steering wheel that aims to be simpler and more intuitive, with a focus on providing only the features a user actually needs when driving.
Even though this design innovates on car infotainment with an all-new display and information arrangement, BMW’s still keeping safety front of mind by ensuring that none of the additions or changes obstruct the driving experience. Traditional controls like the blinker and windscreen wiper stalks remain behind the steering wheel, and both ignition and gear changing continues to be separate from the screens.
It’s an exciting time of change for BMW, with the company’s upcoming all-electric ‘Neue Klasse’ of cars pioneering the overhauled design, while still offering the exceptional range, efficiency and luxury that the German car maker is famous for.
