Back in the day, cracking open a glovebox revealed a brick-sized paper owner’s manual that looked more intimidating than useful. Fast forward to now, we’re living in a time when tech rules our dashboards, and digital owner’s manuals are finally doing justice to the complexity of modern SUVs.
As someone who’s obsessed with machines, buttons, settings, and the sweet scent of cabin plastics, I can tell you: not all digital manuals are created equal. Some are as intuitive and slick as the infotainment systems they live in, while others just toss a clunky PDF onto your screen and call it a day.
But here’s where it gets interesting—some automakers, despite offering high-tech SUVs with ultra-modern interfaces, still cling to paper manuals like it’s 1998. While there’s a nostalgic charm to flipping pages in the backseat, when you’re stuck on the side of the road figuring out why a warning light is blinking, you’ll wish you had something smarter—something searchable, interactive, and maybe even voice-integrated.
So, in true gearhead fashion, I’ve rounded up five SUVs that absolutely nail the digital owner’s manual experience, and five that are still trapped in the old-school paper-only zone. Buckle up. Whether you’re team touchscreen or team tear-the-page, this one’s going to be a ride through usability, convenience, and a bit of user interface drama.
5 SUVs with the Best Digital Owner’s Manuals
Digital owner’s manuals are more than just fancy PDFs—they’re interactive, searchable, and often synced with your infotainment system. These five SUVs stand out for integrating their manuals right into the driving experience, making it easy to troubleshoot or learn on the go.
Whether you’re programming a new key fob or decoding a warning symbol, these manuals deliver tech-savvy answers at your fingertips. Let’s dive into the five SUVs where digital convenience really meets real-world utility.
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1. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE
In typical Mercedes-Benz fashion, the GLE’s digital owner’s manual isn’t just helpful—it’s luxurious. Accessible through the MBUX infotainment system, the manual offers voice-command integration, 3D visual references, and a search bar that actually works like a charm.
Say “Hey Mercedes, how do I pair my phone?” and the car literally walks you through it. It even has video tutorials for certain tasks, making it feel like a tech support wizard embedded in your dashboard.

The layout is clean and categorized intuitively. It’s like browsing a premium app rather than navigating through dry documentation. If you’re more of a tactile learner, the system can pull up diagrams and highlight the part on the screen, whether it’s a sensor, fuse box, or rear wiper assembly. Forget flipping through a 400-page book; this SUV makes learning about your car feel like part of the luxury experience.
Best part? It updates with over-the-air (OTA) software changes, ensuring you’re never stuck with outdated info. For someone who geeks out over UI design and vehicle tech, the GLE doesn’t just win—it spoils. The digital manual sets a new benchmark that others should be chasing hard.
2. 2025 Ford Explorer
Ford nailed it with the 2025 Explorer’s SYNC 4 infotainment system, and the digital owner’s manual is a massive part of that success. Open it up and you’ll find an intuitive interface that uses real-time prompts, illustrations, and a full keyword search engine. You’re never more than a few taps away from understanding your ride.
What really impressed me is the built-in diagnostic guide.

If your tire pressure is low or an error code pops up, the manual dynamically links to that section with suggested actions, complete with animation or diagrams. It’s like having a mechanic on your dashboard.
Ford also offers a mobile app version, which syncs with your VIN and personal settings. That means whether you’re in the driver’s seat or on your couch, you’ve got all the info handy. The digital layout even adjusts to light or dark mode based on your screen settings. It feels modern, polished, and genuinely helpful.
As a long-time SUV nerd who’s been lost in cryptic warning lights more times than I care to admit, the Explorer’s manual brings peace of mind. It’s clear that Ford thought about real-world usability, and that makes all the difference.
3. 2024 BMW X5
BMW’s digital ecosystem is tight, and the 2024 X5’s owner’s manual elevates that tightness with a slick, no-nonsense approach. Embedded directly within iDrive 8, the manual includes smart search, visual identifiers, and even augmented reality overlays in some regions. Open the camera view and highlight a button—the manual tells you exactly what it does. Mind-blowing.

Everything is logically filed, with topics separated into driving assistance, safety, connectivity, and maintenance. Tap on anything from lane assist to windshield wiper fluid levels, and you get clear instructions, visual cues, and system-specific prompts.
The system also allows OTA updates and adapts based on your driving history. So if you frequently tow trailers, for example, the manual subtly prioritizes towing-related content. Now that’s intelligent.
It’s rare to say an owner’s manual is “fun,” but BMW’s offering comes close. If you’re a tech enthusiast who demands that every screen on your dash adds value, the X5 checks every box. It’s efficient, clean, and actually makes you want to learn more about your vehicle.
4. 2025 Hyundai Palisade
Hyundai has quietly become the champion of value-packed features, and the Palisade’s digital owner’s manual is another notch in its well-earned crown. Built into the infotainment system and also accessible via the Hyundai app, the manual is practical, colorful, and most importantly, friendly.
This manual breaks things down in plain language with clean graphics for those not fluent in automotive jargon.

There’s even a “What’s this light?” feature that lets you tap on dashboard indicators for explanations, troubleshooting, and severity levels.
The Hyundai BlueLink app also mirrors the manual on your smartphone, giving you offline access to everything from fluid capacities to roadside assistance instructions. Updates roll out automatically, and the system is multilingual—a huge win for global or bilingual drivers.
As someone who often lends their vehicle to family or friends, this digital manual has saved me from dozens of “how do I…?” phone calls. It’s one of the most user-centered implementations I’ve seen—and that makes it one of the best.
5. 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
Toyota took a major leap with the 2025 Grand Highlander, and its digital owner’s manual is one of the most welcome upgrades. Housed in Toyota’s latest infotainment UI, the manual combines clickable icons, voice-guided navigation, and AI-backed search.
You can speak commands like “How do I activate snow mode?” or “Where’s the fuse box?” and it will guide you with on-screen animations or vocal cues. There’s even a Favorites tab to bookmark the functions you use often—brilliant!

Another highlight? Contextual help. Say you’re adjusting seat positions or child locks—the system senses what menu you’re in and offers related manual tips in a side panel. It’s like an intelligent assistant baked right into your SUV.
For a company long known for reliability but not exactly cutting-edge UX, this digital manual is a revelation. If you’re a Toyota loyalist and have ever squinted at microscopic fonts in their paper manuals, this digital shift will feel like a revolution.
5 SUVs That Still Stick to Paper Manuals
While the digital era has transformed how we interact with our cars, some SUVs are stubbornly stuck in the past. Despite having advanced tech under the hood, these models still rely solely on thick, glovebox-bound paper manuals.
There’s no searchable interface, no infotainment integration—just old-school ink and pages. Whether it’s due to cost-cutting or tradition, these five SUVs leave drivers flipping through pages instead of tapping screens. Let’s check out the models that haven’t quite made the digital leap.
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6. 2024 Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler may be a tech-enhanced off-road beast, but its owner’s manual is still old-school paper. Sure, there’s an app version, but it’s just a clunky scanned PDF. No embedded help, no smart search, and no touchscreen support inside the vehicle.
In a world where Jeeps are increasingly bought by city drivers who might never deflate a tire for sand, a more user-friendly digital manual could go a long way.

It’s shocking how such a feature-packed vehicle doesn’t offer an in-dash reference to its many functions.
From axle locks to sway bar disconnects, the Wrangler is a machine that begs for an interactive how-to guide. Instead, users are left digging through dozens of dense pages or hoping they’ve got a signal to load a third-party forum.
As a Wrangler enthusiast, this one stings. It’s a missed opportunity that feels like a disconnect between the vehicle’s evolution and its driver support systems.
7. 2024 Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is the kind of car that caters to thinkers—those who love the outdoors but also care about the tech. Yet, the owner’s manual remains a heavy-duty paper tome. There’s no integrated digital guide on the infotainment, and even the online version is static and uninspired.
It doesn’t help that Subaru packs in complex features like EyeSight driver assist and adaptive cruise, which desperately need real-time in-system guidance.

But instead of getting digital help, you get cross-references to other chapters, like it’s a 1990s textbook.
Subaru fans deserve better. In an SUV that’s so adventure-ready and safety-conscious, a digital manual wouldn’t just be a luxury—it would be a genuine safety enhancement. Here’s hoping Subaru sees the light soon.
8. 2024 Nissan Pathfinder
With its impressive interior redesign and upgraded tech, the Nissan Pathfinder still oddly insists on sticking to the paper-only manual formula. Despite a high-resolution infotainment screen and available Wi-Fi hotspot, there’s no option to search or view the manual digitally inside the car.
This means that all those useful features—like tow mode calibration, third-row seat folding, or driver-assist calibration—require traditional paper-flipping.

Even Nissan’s mobile app doesn’t offer anything beyond a downloadable PDF.
Given that the Pathfinder targets tech-savvy families, this feels like a blind spot. The paper manual is detailed but intimidating, and not having a quick-access digital version in 2025 feels like trying to find a CD slot in a Spotify world.
9. 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe
The Chevy Tahoe is big, bold, and brimming with tech, but its owner’s manual feels like a relic. While GM has made strides with OnStar and app-based services, the manual itself remains frustratingly old-fashioned.
Chevrolet does offer a PDF version via its app, but it’s not interactive and doesn’t work well in the car’s native infotainment system.

What’s worse, important features like trailer brake controller setup or rear camera calibration deserve step-by-step digital guidance, and the Tahoe doesn’t provide that.
For a flagship SUV meant to serve large families and towing aficionados, a paper-only manual is an unfortunate oversight. Chevy, we love the power, but we also want the brains to go with it.
10. 2024 Volkswagen Atlas
Despite its sharp European design and respectable feature set, the VW Atlas still comes with a paper-only owner’s manual. There’s no in-dash help, no QR code-driven interactivity, and no smart assistant integration. It’s as analog as a typewriter in a Tesla showroom.
Even though VW’s infotainment system is decent, the absence of a built-in digital manual makes tasks like understanding the terrain management system or configuring Car-Net a chore. You’re forced to juggle between a thick book and a touchscreen UI that pretends the manual doesn’t exist.

It’s not just inconvenient—it’s jarring in a vehicle that’s otherwise trying to be modern and family-forward. The Atlas deserves a better user-support system to match its ambitions.
In the age of smart everything—from thermostats to fridges to self-driving features—it’s wild that some automakers are still handing out thick paper manuals like welcome kits from the past. The best digital owner’s manuals don’t just digitize content—they reimagine the experience of understanding your vehicle. They’re interactive, searchable, and genuinely helpful, especially when you’re out on the road and need quick answers.
The five SUVs leading this charge—like the Mercedes-Benz GLE and Toyota Grand Highlander—aren’t just showing off their tech; they’re creating ecosystems where drivers feel informed, supported, and in control. And for us automobile addicts, that’s a dream come true.
On the flip side, it’s hard to ignore the disappointment of flipping through outdated, paper-only manuals in otherwise high-tech vehicles. Models like the Jeep Wrangler or VW Atlas prove that not every brand is keeping pace with what modern drivers need: seamless, in-car information at their fingertips.
As we move toward even smarter, more connected cars, digital owner’s manuals should be a given, not a luxury. Because at the end of the day, whether you’re climbing trails or navigating school runs, knowing your SUV inside and out should always be just a tap away.