More research has come out that we drivers are a very distracted bunch; voice-activated assistants in our cars are marketed as tools to fight distracted driving. But voice-activated technology like Alexa and Siri can make drivers more distracted, not less. It just depends on how drivers choose to use this kind of tech.
When it comes to finding older-model cars with strong voice-activated tech, CarGurus recommends the 2014 Mazda MAZDA3, which our reviewer gave 10/10 for technology. For midsize crossovers, CarGurus recommends the 2014 Kia Soul, which one reviewer describes as having a “powerful voice-control system. It allows the driver to make complex commands, such as saying an entire address in one command, rather than breaking it up.” Our reviewers were less impressed with the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class, noting that the system responds slowly to commands from the driver and had difficulty pairing with his phone. This was also true of the 2014 Subaru Forester, which our reviewer loved except for its “poor microphone reception…This forces drivers who are trying to be safe by using the hands-free mode to switch over to using the actual phone. Not only is this microphone disappointing, it’s not safe.” If you’ve got a newer-model car with voice-activated technology, you may have access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — or Siri and Google, respectively. These assistants have better comprehension than their predecessors, letting drivers speak naturally and stay focused on driving. While the tech may be newer, drivers aren’t free from distraction. Here’s how to minimize distraction with these digital assistants:
If you’re in the market for a newer-model car, CarGurus recommends the 2018 Toyota Camry and the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse, which features Chevy’s MyLink, an infotainment system that our reviewer raved was “one of the easiest to use in the industry, and it comes with everything from a 4G LTE Wi-Fi connection, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto to OnStar subscription services and programmable Teen Driver report-card technology.” Our reviewers were less impressed with the 2018 Lexus 350 RX L, as it’s missing out on Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as Alexa integration. Add to that the 2018 Toyota Sienna. Our reviewer “was not dynamically impressed. Each time I tried to use the system to find a specific place for which I did know the specific address, it attempted to direct me to something that sounded similar in a different state.” Do you use voice-activated assistants? How do you stay focused? How To Make the Most of Voice-Activated Assistants posted first on http://www.cargurus.com/blog/ via Blogger How To Make the Most of Voice-Activated Assistants
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April 2018
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