As a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation accelerates, intelligent connected vehicles have emerged as carriers for advanced technology integration across industries and multiple fields. The intelligent cockpit serves as a comprehensive application space for various new technologies of intelligent connected vehicles, fostering integration among intelligent technology, products, and markets to form a virtuous circle. Developing intelligent cockpits helps to enhance the overall competitiveness and innovation capabilities of the industry, driving the growth of the intelligent automotive industry ecosystem. This paper proposes the definition of the intelligent cockpit for automobiles, classifying it into five levels from “functional cockpit” to “fully cognitive intelligent cockpit” based on the human-machine-environment perspective. The article also provides a preliminary description of the “3-horizontal-3-vertical” technical architecture of the intelligent cockpit and outlines the development roadmap. Additionally, the paper proposes a comprehensive evaluation index system and method for assessing the intelligence of automotive cockpits. By addressing these key aspects, we hope to shed light on the potential of intelligent cockpits in advancing the field of intelligent connected vehicles.