Our 2009 Hyundai Genesis has an iPod interface. In theory, the car's iDrive-like navigation controller wheel makes iPod operation a breeze. Alas, the wheel is hampered by interface software in need of fine-tuning.
With the disclaimer that I've only had my my 30GB video iPod available for testing, I'll state that I've encountered two main problems. One, the system has an annoying delay when you try to page down on lists of artists or songs. It can take a very long time to get to the bottom of a list. The second issue is that the controller's "back" button doesn't work ideally. If you're scrolling down your list of artists, for instance, and you select one, backing out of that selection via the back button puts the highlight at the top of the artist list rather than where you originally were. So, if you were at "Lady GaGa" for instance, you're now back at the top to "ABBA." To get back to the "L" artists, you have to use the groggy page-down function again.
Having the interface is better than none at all (you still get battery charging, for instance), but this setup is the most aggravating I've encountered in some time.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor @ 8,820 miles
hky says:
12:01 PM, 06/29/09
Back button is only a small part of it.. It won't shuffle songs or album, it won't advance to the next album automatically. If you change to other functions in the AV screen (e.g. XM, FM, NAV, CD...) then go back to the ipod/or simply stop/start your car, the ipod menu is always at the very top/root level - it will not sync to the album/songs position. Not to mention it won't display artist and album info and majority of the time the detail button is grey out.. i.e. you will only know the first few letters of the title of the song all the time. I wish there is a software update to remedy the short falls.
mikeolan says:
12:07 PM, 06/29/09
And this is what differentiates a Hyundai from a BMW, at least in theory, this is what should.
carguy622 says:
05:39 PM, 06/29/09
I used the iPod hookup in a loaner TSX and it worked flawlessly. The songs picked up right where I left them off when I was last in the car. I would love to have a dedicated hookup in my car as opposed to AUX in.
johnnyturbo says:
06:14 PM, 06/29/09
Judging by the photo, you've got excellent taste in music! "Achtung Baby" is one of their best albums.
foxgtr says:
08:27 PM, 06/29/09
Yeah, great, charging function for your iPod. Only if you have an older one. All the newest generations of iPods use the 5-volt charge system, instead of the 12-volt that your iPod and the automakers interfaces uses. Apple made the interface systems that automakers are putting out obsolete for charging due to the new system. You have to purchase yet another adapter from Apple to convert the 12-Volt into 5-Volt to charge your iPod. (per the information release by Nissan North America)
billt9 says:
08:30 PM, 06/29/09
South Korean kids use iRiver and Samsung.
http://www.engadget.com/2005/08/10/apple-barely-a-contender-in-south-korean-mp3-player-market/
What the hell is an iPod?
bimmerjay says:
07:40 AM, 06/30/09
I'm not loving the digital clock that would be at home in a 1994 Honda Accord. I remember this was one of the first things I noticed when I first sat in this car.
nomercy346 says:
08:38 AM, 06/30/09
bimmerjay - I noticed that as well. Why are these 80s digital clocks still in so many Japanese and Korean cars? Even Lexus still have them...