I used the navi system (for the first time) in the the A4 this weekend, and liked what I saw. Besides the MMI's relatively large screen, the smaller, central info panel gives navigation aid, as well. This is handy because you don't have to keep toggling between navi and audio on the large screen each time you want to change audio settings.
After leaving the driveway, the display begins giving instructions with orthogonal directions and a count-down bar when the turn approaches. The larger navi screen has a few tricks, too: As the car transitions from freeway to off ramp to street level, it automatically zooms in showing more detail as it's needed.
But as long as I had the little navi helper in the I.P. (and friendly navi lady alerting me), I left the larger screen on audio.
Thank you, Audi, for thinking ahead. Some navi systems are more trouble than they're worth, but this one has better execution and more flexibility than most.
Chris Walton, Chief Road Test Editor @ 14,365 miles
dougtheeng says:
08:01 AM, 06/ 8/09
Nice looking arrangement, but my first thought jumped to the speedometer - is it really necessary to have 0-60mph in such a small range? In most driving you won't ever be using more then 1/4 of the speedometer (circle). I know the car is capable of going faster, but maybe a scaled speedo after 100mph would be more suitable.
stingray454 says:
08:02 AM, 06/ 8/09
The Cadillac SRX Edmunds had in its long term fleet had almost the exact same functionality and features, with the added features of OnStar with turn by turn (also on the gauge display), and remotely programmable Navigation (from a PC with Mapquest, etc.). Yet there were no thanks given to Cadillac for thinking ahead there. I guess because they're not German?
stingray454 says:
08:21 AM, 06/ 8/09
The Cadillac SRX Edmunds had in its long term fleet had almost the exact same functionality and features, with the added features of OnStar with turn by turn (also on the gauge display), and remotely programmable Navigation (from a PC with Mapquest, etc.). Yet there were no thanks given to Cadillac for thinking ahead there. I guess because they're not German?
esoterica says:
08:39 AM, 06/ 8/09
CTS even one-ups this with a split-screen mode on the infotainment touchscreen with map on one side and audio information on the other. And even any $150 Garmin will auto-zoom as described, and both the CTS and Garmin have much better graphics from both an aesthetic and a usability perspective than this low-rent map display on the Audi.
audisport says:
08:51 AM, 06/ 8/09
@stingray454: Maybe they didn't mention it becuase Onstar is a subscription service and not hardward or software that comes fitted in the car. Onstar has some nice perks but it would be hard for me to stomach spending more money for service after shelling out about $2000 for a nav system. Now for GM vehicles that don't have factory nav units, Onstar isnt bad for occasional navigation needs.
dougtheeng says:
08:52 AM, 06/ 8/09
stingray: The 750 has this as well.
http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2009/05/2009-bmw-750i-real-time-traffic-right-in-front-of-your-face.html
This isn't a case of the mythical "bias". He is just pointing out that the system exists and he likes it.
jackson611 says:
08:58 AM, 06/ 8/09
maybe its not because the SRX wasn't German, but because it wasn't done as well. it's not always American vs. Imports like some people like to think. Edmunds might compliment imports more than domestics for a reason, they deserve to be complimented more. American companies make good and bad cars. Import companies make good and bad cars. however, i can name more import cars i would rather drive than American. Could be because there are more import cars than American, probably because as a whole American's have shown that they like imports more.
jackson611 says:
08:59 AM, 06/ 8/09
maybe its not because the SRX wasn't German, but because it wasn't done as well. it's not always American vs. Imports like some people like to think. Edmunds might compliment imports more than domestics for a reason, they deserve to be complimented more. American companies make good and bad cars. Import companies make good and bad cars. however, i can name more import cars i would rather drive than American. Could be because there are more import cars than American, probably because as a whole American's have shown that they like imports more.
adavis2493 says:
09:17 AM, 06/ 8/09
My Nav's Name is Shantai...
esoterica says:
09:48 AM, 06/ 8/09
Auto-zoom has been in every Garmin GPS unit released in at least the last 4 years, and Garmin has much better graphics from both an aesthetic and usability standpoint than this low-rent looking stuff from Audi. The CTS also does it better by allowing you to get a split-screen view of the map and audio information on the infotainment screen.
asdf9036 says:
09:57 AM, 06/ 8/09
Stingray, quit whining because you can't afford a German car. And for the record, they did mention it: http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2006/12/diary-of-a-lost-girl---navigation-systems.html#more
dougtheeng says:
10:29 AM, 06/ 8/09
Is edmunds messing with their blog comment system? I can't see comments I've posted and it says there are 8 comments for this blog, yet I only see 3....am I the only one having problems here?
bimmerjay says:
12:46 PM, 06/ 8/09
"The CTS also does it better by allowing you to get a split-screen view of the map and audio information on the infotainment screen."
This is nothing new, iDrive has had configurable split-screen capability for years.
esoterica says:
05:12 PM, 06/ 8/09
"This is nothing new, iDrive has had configurable split-screen capability for years."
My point was that CW doesn't seem to be familiar with even the cars in Edmunds' own fleet.
allthingshonda says:
05:13 PM, 06/ 8/09
I dislike vehicles that have to use the nav screen for everything. My Acura displays audio and climate settings seperate from the Nav screen so there is no need for split screens. In fact the nav screen doesn't need to be on when navigation is not needed.
bimmerjay says:
06:42 PM, 06/ 8/09
"My point was that CW doesn't seem to be familiar with even the cars in Edmunds' own fleet."
Fair enough, but I wouldn't expect every comment in the blogs to also include a disclaimer like, "By the way, the CTS, C350, 370Z, 135i, 750i, Aura, Enclave, Fit, and 1979 Chevy Van also include this feature."
"I dislike vehicles that have to use the nav screen for everything. My Acura displays audio and climate settings seperate from the Nav screen so there is no need for split screens. In fact the nav screen doesn't need to be on when navigation is not needed."
I'm just the opposite. I like one screen that is organized such that everything can be read easily and quickly. Multiple screens means you have to scan a greater area to glean the same info.
stingray454 says:
11:40 AM, 06/ 9/09
"By jackson611 on June 8, 2009 8:58 AM
Could be because there are more import cars than American, probably because as a whole American's have shown that they like imports more. "
WRONG. Americans buy more American cars than imports. Check the sales figures. Facts are facts.
And add yourself to the import biased list, along with most of Edmund's staff.
stingray454 says:
11:51 AM, 06/ 9/09
"By asdf9036 on June 8, 2009 9:57 AM
Stingray, quit whining because you can't afford a German car. And for the record, they did mention it: http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2006/12/diary-of-a-lost-girl---navigation-systems.html#more"
Excuse me? You don't know what I can afford and what I can't. I bought an '02 Z06 new in 2002. It was $50k new. I paid cash. I also had a BMW M3 on order for 9 months before canceling it and going with the Z06. It was the same price as the Z06. So I obviously like German cars too.
My next car is likely going to be a 2010 CTS-V. My second choice is a 2010 M3 sedan. Again, about the same price.
I base my vehicle purchases on the performance, style, features, quality, durability, maintenance requirements, etc. Not price. Only guys with small penis syndrome purchase cars for status only to show off the price they paid. It sounds like you're one of those guys. Sucks for you.
audisport says:
02:37 PM, 06/10/09
Stingray, I am from Detroit and there is an import hatred in this city fot the most part, but I would be willing to bet that there are more import vehicles sold in Cali as well as the Northeast than there are American cars.
The CTS-V is a sweet a** car but it's tough to argue against the fact that the M3 will be worth much more than the CTS-V will if you were to sell the car after say 4 or 5 years. That would be the tough pill to swallow for me. I keep cars for a few years and then get bored and buy new ones.