Just a few gripes.
The automotive industry, sadly, has imperfections. But what tops out as the most confusing, deplorable and alarming in today’s 2020 landscape?
1. Hyundai i30 — Sporty vs. Safety
The Hyundai i30 N-Line arrived as a new model in 2018, bringing sharper, sportier looks with a revised front and rear as a preface to the hero i30 N. However, both the N-Line and range topping N-Line Premium removed two vital safety features — blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. This was available on the SR, its predecessor, in Australia.
To the detriment of design over safety, Hyundai somehow could not fit the advanced radar sensors to enable the back-facing safety technologies into the revised rear bumper and diffuser. Pricing did not become cheaper, and the equivalently spec’d Elite and Premium models (without the performance bits) retain all SmartSense safety features. It is a dilemma of performance over safety.
N-Line i30’s only have auto emergency braking, radar cruise control, and lane departure warning on automatic transmission models (and do not get me started on that). Hopefully, Hyundai will patch things up when the 2020 facelift arrives.
2. Mazda 3 & CX-30 — Cheap DRLs
Daytime running lights (DRLs) are mandated by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) body as a safety feature. The new generation Mazda 3 and CX-30 all have DRLs — but are illuminated by cheap yellow halogen bulbs on all but the top model. This is bewildering since the Japanese automaker is marking up prices on all models and positioning itself as a premium brand, in line with Volkswagen.
Only the flagship G25 Astina grades on the Mazda 3 and CX-30 highlight the brands signature eye-like DRL in LED. Halogen DRLs illuminate with no shape and thus hinders its “premiumness” appeal.
It might be acceptable for a Kia Picanto or Rio, though they are sub-$20K cars. The 2020 facelifted Mazda 2 city car gets the same LED DRL signature from entry, so why not do the same for a new vehicle that costs twice or even more?
3. Honda — Impractical LaneWatch
Having a camera mounted on the wing mirror to view your blind spots is handy, but Honda’s implementation is skewed. Most importantly, it does not complement any blind spot warning system as Honda constitutes it with LaneWatch, a feature that dates back to 2012.
Drivers will need to look at the infotainment screen which is usually positioned quite low, switches out of whatever was previously on the screen like navigation on Apple CarPlay/Android Auto; and the camera is only placed on the side opposite to the driver (left in Australia), so there is no assistance on the right where there are still blind spots.
This is infuriating and distracting for most drivers. In contrast, Kia/Hyundai/Genesis has cameras on both sides, shows on the driver’s digital instrument display, and still has a blind spot warning system. Honda’s LaneWatch is more flawed than safe. Thankfully, the company is now focusing on blind spot technology instead for future vehicles.
4. Holden Commodore — Cheaper Fuel for Performance Engine
The entire brand might be leaving in a few months but the latest (and outgoing) ZB Commodore has a quirky engine arrangement for fuel requirements.
Imported from Opel/Vauxhall, the liftback and wagon come with a four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol engine as standard on many lower spectrum models, requiring a minimum of 95 RON premium unleaded fuel (Australian standard). However, the performance 2.5-litre V6 all-wheel-drive petrol — on the hero VXR, all Tourer models, Calais-V, and optional on select lower trims — only demands a minimum of 91 RON.
This means, the more potent engine choice can actually consume cheaper fuel, like E10 Unleaded (94 RON), than a cheaper model in the range. Quite baffling. Though, the extra outlay for the V6 is likely not able to recoup the savings of using E10 over a short time. The Holden Astra hatchback opposes this with some logic: lower trims require 91 RON, higher trims accept 95 RON.
5. Ford Mustang — Alarming Crash Safety
Yes, the 2015-launched car only achieved a miserable 2-star ANCAP safety rating. According to former ANCAP CEO James Goodwin, the iconic Pony’s “full width frontal test showed a risk of serious head, chest and leg injury for the rear passenger. There was also insufficient inflation of both the driver and front passenger airbags in the frontal offset test which allowed the driver’s head to contact the steering wheel and the passenger’s head to contact the dashboard. The driver’s door opened in the pole test, and whiplash protection for rear-end collisions was marginal.”
This is deplorable even for a three-door performance car. Yet, the Mustang is still ranked the most popular sports car globally.
Ford attempted to offset this controversy by adding some active safety features with its facelift in 2017, but only upped the rating to 3-stars with no structural changes. Ditto the 2019 JL Jeep Wangler which only got 1-star at launch, then 3-stars with standard safety tech added. But, it is a modular off-roader after all.
6. Tesla Model Y/3 — Missing Common Features
Netizens have complained on the smaller Model 3 sedan. But, with deliveries rolling for the Model Y small SUV, it still misses out on handy safety and comfort features. This includes a 360-degree birds-eye camera view; rear and front cross traffic alert — the former common on vehicles equipped with such safety tech; ventilated cooled seats; and a heated steering wheel.
Particularly, a 360 camera seems to be appropriate for a new, family suitable Tesla, even though it already contains eight cameras across all sides of the SUV. Admittedly, it does now provide a dual wireless charging pad as standard, lacking on the Model 3 which is a welcome move.
Perhaps a convenient software update will fill the gap one day. Of course, some may argue Autopilot and Tesla’s other functions are so superior that it warrants these missing features.
7. BMW X1/X2 — Incompetent Safety
Both entry-level BMW SUV’s auto emergency braking (AEB) system does not completely stop the car to prevent an accident, nor does it have blind spot alert due to its architecture.
Riding on a 2014-introduced BMW UKL platform, the X1 was released a year after. However, with the launch of the hatchback-like X2 in 2017, it still uses the same underpinnings that eliminates any possibility of full AEB and blind spot detection unless a new generation comes out. CarAdvice founder, Albert Fallah, says in his review: “While BMW offers the X2 with a form of AEB – which only works at speeds below 50km/h and will only reduce the speed of the vehicle down to around 15km/h – it will never come to a full stop by itself, meaning it will only help mitigate an accident rather than prevent it in full.”
This is bewildering since it is, after all, a luxury European SUV and lacks the safety capabilities of a cars half its price.
8. Toyota CH-R — Swapping Dynamic Lights
Interestingly, the 2019 facelift of Toyota’s compact CH-R SUV swapped its dynamic LED indicators from the front to back. On top the claw-like taillights, the sequence is not as stretched out and more discreet. The front indicators are now static LED indicators, instead.
Subjectively, this move is disappointing considering the pre-facelift model from 2016 boldly got inspiration from the Volkswagen Group with a dynamic indicator that widely spanned the entire front headlight, complementing its LED DRL. On the road, it was quite striking indeed.
9. Mercedes-Benz MBUX Infotainment — Restricted Android Auto
The German marque’s latest infotainment system software, Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), is much-lauded with touch, trackpad, and steering wheel controls on a widescreen. It is quite intuitive and comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the latter is somewhat problematic since it still does not support full widescreen; iOS users get the advantage.
Instead, Android users will only see a small square version with a persistent Android Auto logo on the side to fill the space. Hopefully, this changes soon with BMW set to introduce widescreen wireless Android Auto later this year.
10. Other General Annoyances
Other quirks can often annoy many consumers as well. Unclear and grainy reversing and 360-degree cameras poorer than a phone is a safety issue. Likewise, displaying it on a clear high resolution screen. As for Peugeot, they market its vehicles with a 360-degree camera when it only mimics the view by capturing images and stitching them together when reversing so it is seemingly birds-eye. But, if something moves or appears around the car, it will not be represented on the screen which is dangerous.
Similarly, companies like Kia perpetually place indicators, sometimes reversing lights on the lower rear bumper of its vehicles. Ditto the front. This is relatively dangerous as most drivers are attune to seeing the actual tail lights — at eye level — of a car to discern their intentions. Yet, other automakers can still still fit all bulbs into an increasingly slim, design focused headlights and tail lights. Thus, there is more than enough space to fit all bulbs in one housing. More thought and consideration should avoid lights being placed on low, nebulous bumpers.
Additionally, stop/start systems — where the engine shuts off when at a standstill — is frustrating for most drivers. In many vehicles, there is often an unacceptable delay for turning it back on — which can mean entering that gap in the roundabout or closely sniping the oncoming vehicle. Unfortunately, it does not save too much fuel nor emissions. And, all stop/starts can be turned off, though temporarily as it enables itself again on engine start up. More costly is the minimum requirement of an Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB) as opposed to the usual lead-acid flooded (LSI) battery since it demands more power to habitually stop and start the ignition. This leads to expensive service and replacement expenses. Hybrid and full-electric systems are the true answer save fuel and cut emissions.
Finally, infotainment touch sounds might be safe to signal that the infotainment has recognised a response, but a loud beep or clicking noise is just annoying. Thankfully, most systems allow touch sounds to be turned off.
EDITOR’S NOTE: All annoyances listed here are subjective.
The Connected by Henry Man 