Should vehicle displays be mounted horizontally or vertically?

Many of us have a habit of opening a map app before setting out on a ride or a drive. Most people naturally opt for vertical-screen navigation. The reason is simple: a vertical screen offers a longer view of the route ahead, allowing you to see your next turn and estimated arrival time at a glance. Interestingly, however, the two-wheeler industry presents a different picture.

The vast majority of displays on two-wheelers today feature a horizontal design—an approach that has become the industry standard. But the question remains: are two-wheelers really the same as cars? For cars, the center console display handles far more than just navigation; it manages music, climate control, vehicle settings, the rearview camera, and various smart cockpit functions. Horizontal screens facilitate split-screen displays and multitasking, making them the mainstream choice.

The usage scenarios for two-wheelers, however, are entirely different. For most riders, the display’s core information is limited to a few key elements: navigation, speed, battery level, and basic vehicle status—with navigation often taking center stage.

Given that navigation is the primary use case, perhaps we should reconsider: must two-wheeler displays be horizontal? Navigation is inherently a vertically oriented information experience. Riders are more concerned with the distance ahead and the upcoming route than with peripheral information to the left or right. Theoretically, a vertical screen offers a longer route preview, allowing riders to absorb more navigational data in less time. This could translate to better readability and greater efficiency in information intake.

Of course, neither horizontal nor vertical screens are inherently superior; the user experience ultimately depends on product design, UI layout, and specific usage scenarios.
Yet, from the perspective of user needs, the two-wheeler display industry might have another path to explore. At a time when the entire industry defaults to horizontal screens, we might ask: if navigation is the core function, could a vertical screen be a direction worth pursuing?
So, if the choice were yours, would you prefer a horizontal screen or a vertical one?