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I wound up in a Yaris yesterday, and while it's not the greatest wheels on the planet, it has wonderfully simple controls. It doesn't slice bread for me while I drive, but that's not what I look for in a car. I see a car first and foremost as transportation, not an entertainment theme park.
Fortunately there's still some mid-sized cars with intuitive, straightforward controls.
'17 Chevy Volt Premiere
I know a lot of folks love the whiz-bang touch screen interfaces and center stacks that have a zillion buttons. I'm not one of those people.
http://tinyurl.com/bpp6jdc
Center touch screen, 'buttons' around the center stack, using the buttons on the right spoke of the steering wheel that control the small screen to the right of the speedometer and voice commands by using the buttons just under the spoke also shown in the picture.
You can always set the climate control to 'Auto'.
I think most of you are confusing familiarity with ease of operation.
Since we have 6 cars that and I drive all of them at times, the 3 dial system does not always have the same order left to right.
I still have to look at the pictograms on the center dial to figure out which mode I want, in addition to figuring out which one is the fan and which one is for temp.
I always end up with one of those Scion vans. I know they are VERY reliable, and they have a lot of room, but they are loud and the interior make me sad. LOL. I am always happy to have an Altima....comfortable seat. Second choice is a Fusion. I have never been able to rent an Optima. Never even seen one at the airport fleet in Pittsburgh.
No, the 1988 and newer Olds Cutlass Supremes (as pictured) used a different design than the GM cars I'm referencing (and thus wasn't nearly as "user friendly"). The '78 to '87 Supremes did use the two slide design though. And, interestingly enough, Olds used the old hat climate control design on the Ciera all the way up until they laid that model to rest in '96.
Anyway, to each his own. I didn't think the old GM control designs were breathtaking beauties, but that is not the point I'm making here. I just thought the control panels were very functional and intuitive. Interestingly, the aesthetic argument does seem to be the primary one several MFT adherents are trying to posit however (something I find equally odd, but whatever).
Finally, the redudant controls defense is entirely lost on me. Short of having basic radio functions (as I often - as I suspect many do - adjust stations, volume and media types while on the road) repeated on the steering wheel [preferably within a finger's touch], I do not understand it. Are there really people out there that fiddle with the temperature and fan speed settings so much that multiple control options are necessary? No wonder such a large percentage of drivers think shifting a manual transmission is such a headache nowadays - they're probably so distracted operating all their superfluous doodads and whatzits while behind the wheel that manually selecting gears and operating a clutch in anything resembling city traffic would require a co-pilot...
Last hundred miles after that are at 31.6, so I think beating the EPA highway of 33 MPG, should not be a problem.
Due to the condition of a lot of the highways, I think I'd drop the tire pressure a bit next time at same temps.
I did notice what I think is something I don't like.
With the cruise on, going down a hill it will sometimes shift down a gear. One time it downshifted 2 gears. I guess it's something to do with the 'grade logic'. Turn off the cruise and it returns to more normal coasting.
My mom was a loyal Olds Cutlass owner and had three between 1974 and 1994. The last one was an ’86 Cutlass Supreme and it had electrical/electronic problems starting within the first year and never fully resolved. I think they actually snickered under their breath when she took it in to have it fixed under warranty! My aunt, who mistakenly thought she was better than the rest of my family, got a new Caddy Coupe Deville in 1982 with a digital dash, automatic climate control, automatic headlights with auto low-high beam and (:shudder:) the 5.7L Diesel V8 (better known as the engine that turned Americans against diesels for decades). The dealer kept it for months at a time because they had so many others in line ahead of it! They finally traded it for an identical-looking model with the new HT4100 V8...another boat anchor of an engine that ate more head gaskets and used more oil than gas.
And my best friend’s mom was asking for trouble when she bought a 1985 Cutlass Ciera with the digital dash, high-end radio and the 4.3L DIESEL V6. I won’t even elaborate on that one...
Needless to say, the idea of new or cutting-edge technology being used in GM vehicles was like Russian Roulette (with it fully loaded). But by some miracle, the touch screens were very reliable and lasted longer than anyone expected! They were so dreadful to use that many owners avoided touching them unless absolutely necessary (A comfy 75 degrees year round and that lovely station that plays Anne Murray and John Denver will be fine for the entire time I own the car). Maybe that’s why they lasted so long, they weren’t used? But still impressive, considering how many amazingly bad screw-ups that GM made back in those days.
Is it the lovely 1983 Reliant K "shooting brake" ? LMAO
I was shocked at the prices first of all. No way am I going to pay $30k for a base 4 cylinder car. For that kind of money; you can get an Accord V6, Optima Turbo, Altima 3.5 s (V6), etc. I can't see spending more than 27k for the base engine models.
One thing I was glad to see were 0-60 times that show the Accord is no faster or slower (relatively) than any other mid-size size with the base/automatic powertrain.
I like the Mazda best from the side view, the Accord the best from the front, and the Altima best from the rear. I would call this theoretical car the "Alticord 6". Did anyone notice the Monte-Carlo line on the 6 as well?
Also, I know I am going to take a hit for this, especially because Mazda had the guts to try something other than tan or grey for it's interior. However...can you say "Moooo?!"
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.gnazone.com/wp-content/uploads/20- 13/01/2014-Mazda-6-Interior-White-Black-1024x640.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.gnazon- e.com/2014-mazda-mazda-6-preview/2014-mazda-6-interior-white-black/&h=640&w=1024- &sz=90&tbnid=O14ktWnXVNwj4M:&tbnh=88&tbnw=141&zoom=1&usg=__vOKIYGFITGQ8l_WySvW4l- oyHAVY=&docid=dWoC01XtEGAzNM&sa=X&ei=w8B_UcGrPOPS2QXRFg&ved=0CEgQ9QEwAA
Today's driver wants more features per dollar, not just cubic inches under the hood. Frankly, I'm glad we have the options, and don't just limit high-end features to cars with the high-end engines.
I say this as the owner of a V6 midsized sedan (249hp vs. it's 175hp 4-cyl) so I'm not biased against having the bigger engine.
'17 Chevy Volt Premiere
I find it humorous that detractors lambaste Mazda for not providing a V-6 or turbo option yet have not driven the car or other similar four cylinder equipped cars.
As for the comparison I test drove all 3 and put the Altima at the bottom. To each his own.
I am not making this a personal thing. I drove the Mazda too...and I really liked it. I just don't like it for $31,000 without a turbo or a Hybrid mill.
I grew up with my parents and grandparents all driving domestic cars and trucks typical of the era. I was born in 1975, so typical translates into mediocre at best....and at worst, bursting into flames, engines and electronics rushed to market without bothering with any testing..."we'll just let the idiots who buy it do the testing and help us work out the bugs".
But my cousin went to work for a Honda dealer as an apprentice mecchanic in 1982 and by 1984 was the best mechanic they had. I went to work with him any time school was out or when he worked on Saturdays. The more I learned about Hondas, the more confused I became about cars in general.
How could Honda build a 4-cylinder Accord that was quicker than a GM sedan with a V8? How could Honda and GM make cars with the same amount of interior room, but the GM car weighed 1000 mores? Why did GM put the cruise control buttons on a stupid stalk where you couldn't see them and they were hard to operate, yet Honda made them into two buttons on the steering wheel you could press with your thumb? Why didn't American cars have a place to put coins? How come 4-year old Hondas still feel tight as a drum and domestic cars squeak and rattle long before that?
Finally, I realized that domestic cars absolutely sucked! But I didn't really know why they sucked and how it went on for so long during college when I spent some time studying the auto industry. I learned all about corporate politics and, even more fun, corporate corruption. Complacency and arrogance also played major roles in the drama. Many of the people that held executive level position at the Big Three in the 70s and 80s would be in prison if they acted the same way in the present day! A prime example, could you imagine what would happen if a car was exploding upon rear impact and the company knew about the flaw? And they did an analysis that determined it would be cheaper to pay off the lawsuits of the people that died in the fires than to recall and fix the cars??? It happened at Ford with the Pinto....
I'm fairly certain that you had to be a sociopath or psychopath to be a Big Three Exec back in those days! Anyone with a conscience could never do the job!
It's not without its virtues, though. In contrast to a lot of recently redesigned cars, the Altima seems to be veering more toward comfort than handling. The outdated 4 cylinder and CVT issues I've read with the 2013s is enough to keep me away from one, though.
'17 Chevy Volt Premiere
I am a bit amazed that Nissan has managed to make their 2.5 as strong a performer as it is and get the better FE. Certainly less car weight helps, but it takes more than 150 lbs or whatever the difference is.
One drawback to reduced weight though...depending on how they managed it, is crash protection measures. Some of Accord's extra weight could be attributed to that very thing, since apparently it has performed well in that regard.
I still can't quite comprehend how the Altima does as well as it does if the transmission is so quick to allow the engine to spool to 5000 rpm on such a regular basis. That seems to be the most common theme when reading about it no matter the source. I can't help but think that if someone's usual style is not being light-footed, and if they liked all three cars relatively equally, they'd be best to go with the Mazda and its conventional 6 speed auto in order to extract the best FE potential.
So my point is, I think if you drive it easy or even with a slightly heavy foot you don't experience this. But if you floor it a lot it would be something that you would really have to get used to and I'm sure would affect MPG greatly.
I had the same opinion with a new 2011 Outback Wagon (with CVT) only it sniffed out grades even easier ...no doubt due in part to the extra parasitic drivetrain losses that AWD imposes. Plus I drove it in the winter vs a summer drive in the Altima.
Car & Driver said the same thing. They said the Accord felt like it was made of "Lightweightium", and that was part of the Honda magic. It feels bigger inside and smaller outside. (Like the TARDIS) Lol.
Accord 33,538
Camry 31,710
Fusion 26,722
Altima 21,991
Malibu 21,734
Sonata 16,077
Optima 14,678
Legacy 3,286
6 2,933
Sonata + Optima almost matching Camry in sales... whodathunkit.
http://macedonemiles.blogspot.com/2013/04/2014-sonata-refresh-revealed.html
I can only wonder how the bread and butter GLS will look as the "$199 a month" volume sales leader.
The 2013 Accord seems like a radical redo compared to this warmed over "new" model.
I imagine it will sell fine, but....Surely that can't be an all-new car.
Maybe it's just a refresh of the current model?
The fog light design is new, the interior has upgraded materials, the taillights are now wrap-around LED's, and dual exhaust is added to more models, rims are new design. Subtle changes, but changes indeed.
I expected more of an upgrade for a mid-gen refresh. But frankly, the styling wasn't any issue for me. It would be great if in the mid-gen refresh Hyundai addresses all the little glitches that some folks have had with their Sonatas, e.g. steering and smartphone pairing. Maybe add a power passenger seat (and maybe a standard manual height adjuster) option too, as some folks think the passenger seat is too low. My wife's Sonata has been flawless, but it's a tough market so some improvements are needed to keep pace.
1) Steering wheel controls. I can do almost everything without my hand leaving the wheel, or taking my eyes off the road.
2) Comfortable seats
3) Smooth powertrain operation.
Least favorite:
1) Passenger seat too Low and has no height adjustment
2) Hard to see out of. Needs rear view camera as standard equipment.
Fortunately, we didn't get the 10+ inches of snow some other parts of Minnesota got yesterday, everything we got melted on contact.
When you said your Elanra has been holding up well after 10 Minnesota winters, I looked up the Edmunds review, and found ANOTHER HYUNDAI "MISSTATEMENT". It seems that they rated the 2.0 liter engine at 140 hp, when it really only makes 135.
Not good. How do I trust a car's integrity, MPG, and Specs when the manufacturer is caught lying about them?
Other automakers have misstated hp ratings also. Might want to keep track on a spreadsheet or something like that so you know which cars not to buy in the future.
I guess Honda and Toyota aren't to be trusted either, if you use that logic.
My aunt bought a 2005 Odyssey with 255hp, only to have it re-rated at 244. The 2005 Avalon with 280hp? How about 268.
That 3.3L 225hp Camry SE? It was re-rated at 210.
The $50,000 Acura RL had 300hp, right? No, re-rated to 290.
The SAE changed guidelines for rating in 2005. It affected most every manufacturer.
I tried to get over 30 mpg highway yesterday, ECO button on, A/C off, and I mustered up all the patience of a Buddhist monk and kept the speed at 60 mph.
What did I get? 26.9 MPG. No traffic, no stops, no passing, no sudden throttle inputs, and I coasted in neutral on all downhill grades.
I am going on vacation next month with an 850 mile round trip, so maybe longer, flatter roads will make a difference.
Was there a headwind? Tires inflated properly? Was the road surface coarse? Was the road wet? Looks like you were in a hilly area - try it on level ground. You should be over 40 mpg at 60 mph.
If nothing works, I would try renting a Sonata and seeing how that one does. If it does much better you will know there is something wrong with your car.
I have no idea how you could get only 26.9 mpg on a new Optima at a steady 60 mph with no stops. My only conclusion is there must be something terribly wrong with your car. I can get mid-20s mpg IN TOWN, in winter, on my wife's Sonata.