How Does Aesthetic Design Affect Continuance Intention in In-Vehicle Infotainment Systems? An Exploratory Study

With the digitalization of automobile cabins, in-vehicle infotainment systems play an increasingly pivotal role in vehicles. This study aims to understand how the interface aesthetics of the in-vehicle infotainment system affect users' continuance intention in in-vehicle infotainment systems. Based on a literature review, a theoretical model was constructed, encompassing seven latent variables: simplicity, colorfulness, diversity, craftsmanship, functional value, emotional value, and continuance intention. Analysis of 243 valid questionnaires revealed that both functional and emotional values serve as crucial mediators in encouraging users to continue using the in-vehicle infotainment system, with functional quality being the core element. Moreover, simplicity, diversity, and craftsmanship indirectly affect continuance intention by influencing both functional and emotional values. These findings underscore the need for future designers of in-vehicle infotainment systems to focus on interface functionality and emotional needs, and to ensure that content is concise, engaging, user-friendly, and visually polished, thereby enhancing the user experience and fostering the intention to continue usage.