For decades, if a driver wanted important information about their speed, RPM, oil pressure, and other data, the answers were directly in front of them. Whether analog or digital, instrument clusters have historically been mounted on the driver’s side dashboard above and/or behind the steering wheel. It was as close to a universal feature as the auto manufacturing industry could have.
In the 21st century, though, automakers have been pushing for a different setup. The central instrument cluster is now more common than I recall in street vehicles. Of course, with it comes the inevitable backlash of those resistant to change. A quick internet search will yield plenty of people calling central instrument clusters “stupid,” “awful,” and “idiotic.” To be fair, others like and defend them.
Is a central cluster really all that bad? As someone who has owned vehicles with both configurations (before my current car, I drove a 2009 Toyota Yaris sedan with a central instrument cluster), I feel uniquely qualified to discuss this controversial subject. With the rise of central gauge clusters, I wanted to look at what they are, how this gauge setup can help or hurt drivers on the road, and what vehicles with central clusters are currently available for those who like them.
What Is a Central Instrument Cluster?
A typical instrument cluster is above the steering wheel, although part of it can end up behind it, depending on the configuration and the dashboard and steering wheel size. As its name suggests, central gauge clusters are in the dashboard’s center. Gauges like the speedometer that would be in the center of a traditional display are either placed directly above the infotainment system or integrated into the infotainment setup. It goes by several names, including mid-dash gauges, central instrument panel, and center stack display.
For many years, this setup was almost entirely limited to rally racing. In this motorsport, a navigator is in the passenger seat alongside the driver. By center-mounting the gauges, the driver and navigator can see them equally well. The configuration has spread to the street vehicle world, though, with Toyota, Tesla, INEOS, and other automakers having at least experimented with central gauge displays.
Why have auto manufacturers moved toward the central cluster? From what I’ve deduced, there are two main reasons. The first is the move toward digital/virtual instrument clusters and infotainment systems. Having these systems closer together makes it easier to integrate them and requires less wiring. Second, central mounting makes it easier for automakers to manufacture cars sold in global markets. Thanks to this universal setup, they don’t need to reconfigure the instrument cluster based on whether the vehicle is left- or right-hand drive.
Pros and Cons of Central Instrument Clusters
That’s not to say central clusters are purely selfish and cost-cutting moves by automakers, though. There are several potential benefits of central instrument clusters for drivers.
Pros
- By placing the gauges in the center of the dash, drivers have a clearer view without the steering wheel blocking them. They can look at the gauges while keeping the road in their peripheral vision.
- Central-mount gauges are easier to read for older drivers who tend to be farsighted.
- Since the gauges are no longer in the road’s line of sight, they might cause fewer distractions.
- There is potentially more total dash space to work with, which allows designers to expand the cluster size and include more information.
- Conversely, some digital central gauge clusters can be fitted in a smaller space and customized to display only certain information, letting the driver choose what they want to see.
Cons
However, like almost every automotive feature, there are drawbacks to central instrument clusters, too.
- If a driver has never piloted a car with a central instrument cluster before, it will take time for them to get used to it, and the risk of distracted driving may increase during that period.
- The gauge visibility may not be as good depending on the mounting location and the steering wheel size, as bigger wheels can still block part of the display.
- The added size and gauges can lead to a cluttered appearance and “information overload,” especially when considering that the gauge cluster and infotainment center are now in the same area.
- In the same vein, mid-dash gauges can affect the infotainment system. A separate cluster will limit the touchscreen size, particularly in smaller vehicles. Meanwhile, an integrated system may mean switching between certain displays due to the lack of screen space.
What Vehicles Have Central Instrument Clusters?
Anyone looking for a car with a central instrument display has several options. Here’s a look at some of the major automakers that use central gauge panels now or have in the past.
Tesla
No current automaker is more “all in” on this configuration than the electric car giant, Tesla. Nearly all their vehicles, including the Model 3, Model Y, and Model S, have a single central touchscreen display where drivers can view digital instrument readings and other information. Some people have chosen to add aftermarket apps and head-up displays to complement the main screen so they can see everything simultaneously.
INEOS
This British off-road vehicle manufacturer is another modern automaker eschewing the driver’s side gauge display for a central instrument cluster. Both the Grenadier and the Grenadier Quartermaster merge the gauges into the digital infotainment screen. However, there is still a display behind the steering wheel for various activity and warning lights, including headlights, DRLs, seat belt light, and the check engine light.
Toyota
This Japanese giant made headlines in 2004 when it announced its intention to move more North American vehicles to central gauge placement (many vehicles sold in Japan already had such a layout). The Toyota Echo had a central instrument cluster, as did its successor, the Yaris from 2007 to 2011. However, in 2012, Toyota moved the Yaris gauges back to the traditional location. Most famously, Toyota Prius models from 2000 to 2018 used a central instrument cluster. As of 2025, the Prius instruments moved back above the steering wheel again.
General Motors
GM has experimented with a central instrument panel over the years. The Saturn Ion, manufactured from 2003 to 2007, had centrally located gauges above the radio and HVAC controls. Also, the second-generation Chevrolet Matiz, later known as the Chevy Spark, made from 2005 to 2008, had a center-mounted cluster. When the third generation debuted in 2009, the panel returned to the driver’s side.
Finally, certain generations of the Chevy Corvette had at least some of the gauges centrally positioned. The 1953 to 1962 C1 Corvette only had the speedometer behind the steering wheel, with everything else spread across the dashboard. The 1968 to 1982 C3 Corvette also had some gauges in a central instrument cluster, though they were more tightly arranged.
MINI
MINI has been a major proponent of central instrument displays. They were one of the pioneers, with MINI models from the late 1950s and early 1960s (such as the Austin Seven and Morris Mini-Minor) sporting a round central cluster. Since the 2025 model year, many MINIs have adopted a modern OLED version of this minimalist instrument cluster. As I write this, the MINI Interaction Unit has been confirmed for the MINI Countryman, Aceman, Cooper Hardtop, Cooper Electric, and Convertible.
Centralizing Gauge Displays
Having experienced central instrument clusters, I understand where fans and critics come from. Ultimately, it’s one of those features that comes down to personal preference, and it may be a generational gap, too. In my opinion, younger drivers who are less entrenched with the traditional display location will like this layout more, or at least be more open to trying it. Conversely, people who have spent decades with gauges on the driver’s side will resist the new setup, even if it potentially provides better visibility and usefulness. Either way, it’s good to have options for how to view vehicle information.
