For the most part, recent studies have found that Ford owners are generally satisfied with the automaker’s Sync infotainment systems, and that was also the case with new data from Consumer Reports‘ owner satisfaction surveys. Those systems ranked above average among Ford owners, and even higher by Lincoln customers, which is a good sign for The Blue Oval, given how important infotainment is in modern vehicles. However, Consumer Reports members also rated Apple CarPlay higher than the automaker’s Sync software, too.
While Android Auto actually fared worse than Ford’s Sync systems, the same cannot be said of Apple CarPlay, which managed to outperform that software – according to Ford owners – by a small margin. Interestingly, this was also the case with most other brands, including Cadillac, Jeep, Ram, Chevy, Dodge, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Land Rover, Kia, Honda, Mini, Audi, Nissan, Infiniti, Volkswagen, Toyota, Lexus, Mazda, Subaru, and Acura. In fact, the only automakers that saw their OEM system rank higher than Apple CarPlay were Genesis, Hyundai, BMW, Buick, Lincoln, GMC, and Chrysler.
Overall, 57 percent of members said they were satisfied with Apple CarPlay versus 50 percent for built-in systems, while Android Auto brought up the rear at 44 percent. The study found that for three out of five owners, CarPlay and Android Auto actually improved the user experience versus the least-satisfying brand systems, though more than 25 percent said they never bother to use either. Regardless, with physical controls absent from many modern vehicles, having a decent infotainment system can make a big difference in the driving experience – which makes GM’s decision to ditch CarPlay and Android Auto in its future EVs seem a bit misguided.
“In many newer models, common tasks that drivers used to accomplish with the simple press of a button or turn of a knob now require navigating through multiple screens, which means more steps, more time, and more attention,” said Kelly Funkhouser, manager for vehicle technology at CR‘s Auto Test Center. “The last thing you want is for your infotainment system to become a source of distraction and frustration that causes you to fuss with your phone or a screen while you’re driving.”
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Comments
I find Apple Carplay to be very irritating, it overrides Synch’s radio controls, and someone in Silicon Valley needs to become the savior and add a pause button to their map / GPS systems.
““In many newer models, common tasks that drivers used to accomplish with the simple press of a button or turn of a knob now require navigating through multiple screens, which means more steps, more time, and more attention,” said Kelly Funkhouser, manager for vehicle technology at CR‘s Auto Test Center. “ So in other words, you’ve gone backwards in engineering! How about real buttons again? They are not only quicker, but safer because you can make adjustments by feel and not have to take your eyes off the road to look at a stupid screen and press virtual buttons!
My wife and I find it quicker and easier to use the Apple Car Play in our Maverick Lariat than the Synch Nav System in her Lincoln. Entering all the info in the Lincoln Nav system is cumbersome, while putting it into Google maps is so quick.
Apple maps seem to be updated regularly and are free. The Sync maps from Here.com are updated once a year and are already 1 year behind once they are finally updated. Then they cost upwards of $150 each year you can see why people use Apple Carplay. At least we can use Apple Carplay in our Ford’s though. Those poor GM owners are losing that capability and will only have GM’s option available to them soon which will cost them $$$. Hopefully ford won’t take that route in the name of Shareholder value.