Top Six Technology Annoyances...now that I have had the car a while

[Marc Collins]

1. Map-based speed limit indicator instead of camera-based. It's wrong so often (at least once every 5 minutes off a major expressway--where you don't need it anyway) and has so many roads and streets with missing data (even thought there are clearly marked speed signs right there at the side of the road), that it's pretty much useless. My old Volvo and my wife's Subaru use the camera to read the physical signs--works 100 times better. And KIA has and uses the superior camera-based technology on some of their vehicles, but was apparently too lazy to implement two different systems for the Stinger since some Stingers don't come equipped with the cameras necessary for that system. Shame.
2. No Bluetooth functionality for txt notification and read-outs. Ridiculous oversight since so many even cheap cars have this feature today, including lesser KIA's. No, I don't want to unplug my USB music to have to plug-in my phone for android Auto to get this feature. I don't need or want any other Android Auto features (I have telematics like Google search in Canada) and what's the point of wireless charging if you have to attach your phone for this simple feature.
3. No option to turn off auto-locking of doors. Don't want it in any way, shape or form. First car I have owned in 20+ years that has no ability (even through dealer programming) to turn this annoying "feature" off.
4. Poorly implemented UI for music browsing. Sorting by album or artist doesn't work properly. The only way you can get an album to play songs in the proper (and numbered) order is by using the "Files" browsing option. Overall, the UI is terrible for maximizing distraction just to change music.
5. ISG is poorly implemented to the extent that most people want to permanently disable it. I do not, but I understand the sentiment. Pedal sensitivity is too high. Shuts off inappropriately when you creep (as in coming to a stop while parking). Shuts off at points where it can easily be predicted that it will need to turn back on within a few seconds. And more...
6. Voice command. Like every other nav system out there, incredibly incompetent at understanding even simple addresses. How is this possible after all these years? Other commands not as straightforward as they could be...have to use particular phrases instead of natural language.

There are others, but these are the ones that affect me regularly and most significantly while driving. Every one of them except #6 could be solved for no cost and is a result of poor design/decision-making, not the result of necessary cost-cutting or prudence.

 

[Ace2Rolex]

1,2 and 4 definitely agree.

 

[CaliSting]

Hmm I find nav voice command to be one of better ones. Must like my voice.

 

[mldavis2]

Hmm I find nav voice command to be one of better ones. Must like my voice.

No problem here. Must be that accent.

 

[Kamauxx]

Voice command. Like every other nav system out there, incredibly incompetent at understanding even simple addresses. How is this possible after all these years? Other commands not as straightforward as they could be...have to use particular phrases instead of natural language.

This is why I just use Android Auto. Google actually allows you to talk to it like a normal human being instead of loud and slowly pronouncing every single letter in a word.

Also, compared to Kia's maps it looks a lot better, is constantly updated, alerts you to wrecks/delays on your route, you can have it play songs, ask it to go to the closest Burger King (did that this morning) and have it search random things that the kids are debating in the backseat...it's just way better.

Try it and forget about your number 6.

 

[Dennis]

Item 3 auto door lock can be turn off from the center information display. Go to setup and go into doors you will be able to set base on speed or shifter position to lock the door.

 

[Marc Collins]

This is why I just use Android Auto. Google actually allows you to talk to it like a normal human being instead of loud and slowly pronouncing every single letter in a word.

Also, compared to Kia's maps it looks a lot better, is constantly updated, alerts you to wrecks/delays on your route, you can have it play songs, ask it to go to the closest Burger King (did that this morning) and have it search random things that the kids are debating in the backseat...it's just way better.

Try it and forget about your number 6.

I agree with all that you said, except as mentioned, if you have telematics, you already get separate-from-Nav Google search (that works well as expected) and using the USB port for your phone defeats the purpose of wireless charging and USB music. If they ever implement Bluetooth Android Auto, maybe.

 

[BBB]

Apple CarPlay solves everything except #3 and #5.

 

[Marc Collins]

Apple CarPlay solves everything except #3 and #5.

Does it work wirelessly? If not, then it does not resolve the convenience of leaving your phone in your pocket or ruining the usefulness of the wireless charger or avoid fiddling with ugly cables in a too-small space

 

[Karl Davlin]

One little thing that bugs me... When you plug in your Android after you start the car but before the stereo boots up, the stereo sometimes doesn't "see" that my phone is connected. I have to unplug and re-plug it back in. Again, not a big deal...

 

[BBB]

Does it work wirelessly? If not, then it does not resolve the convenience of leaving your phone in your pocket or ruining the usefulness of the wireless charger or avoid fiddling with ugly cables in a too-small space

I can't speak for Android Auto, but Apple CarPlay is far superior than connecting your phone via bluetooth. Apple CarPlay renders bluetooth pretty much obsolete. My last car (Ford Fusion Titanium) didn't have Apple CarPlay therefore I was stuck connecting via bluetooth and I was frustrated than I couldn't navigate my music like I could on the actual device. So much better now that the Stinger has Apple CarPlay. And I haven't quite found the wireless charging to be that big of a deal. I just turned it off, because when I'm plugged into USB (Apple CarPlay), I get all the features of my Apple Music, Phone, Contacts, Text Messages and Maps, plus my phone is charging at the same time. True, it isn't wireless, but who keeps a big iPhone 7Plus in their pocket while driving? As for the ugly cables........

 

[Marc Collins]

I can't speak for Android Auto, but Apple CarPlay is far superior than connecting your phone via bluetooth. Apple CarPlay renders bluetooth pretty much obsolete. My last car (Ford Fusion Titanium) didn't have Apple CarPlay therefore I was stuck connecting via bluetooth and I was frustrated than I couldn't navigate my music like I could on the actual device. So much better now that the Stinger has Apple CarPlay. And I haven't quite found the wireless charging to be that big of a deal. I just turned it off, because when I'm plugged into USB (Apple CarPlay), I get all the features of my Apple Music, Phone, Contacts, Text Messages and Maps, plus my phone is charging at the same time. True, it isn't wireless, but who keeps a big iPhone 7Plus in their pocket while driving? As for the ugly cables........

View attachment 10708

Glax you like it, but I don't use my phone for music and if the car had support for BT texts, like almost every other modern car has, I would have all that I need with the benefit of no wires.

 

[Christopher]

Glax you like it, but I don't use my phone for music and if the car had support for BT texts, like almost every other modern car has, I would have all that I need with the benefit of no wires.

Considering it's illegal to text in most states, it's not a big deal. Some states are starting to implement their distracted driving laws, which means no texting, calls, food, drinks, dogs in the drivers seat, etc. Anything that distracts you from driving on the road. Plug your phone/ipod in or BT it and drive. Text and talking can always wait!

 

[Marc Collins]

Considering it's illegal to text in most states, it's not a big deal. Some states are starting to implement their distracted driving laws, which means no texting, calls, food, drinks, dogs in the drivers seat, etc. Anything that distracts you from driving on the road. Plug your phone/ipod in or BT it and drive. Text and talking can always wait!

People keep missing the point...the BT text when well implemented such as Mazda, Subaru, many others, is less distracting than changing music tracks in the Stinger or voice dictating a nav location when the idiot voice command can never get the address straight and requires multiple tries.

I live in a jurisdiction that made texting illegal long ago and strongly believed all along that it should be illegal. That's precisely why a distraction-free interface where I can hear my texts, no different than listening to talk radio, is essential. No temptation to use the phone and take my eyes and attention off the road and no need to pull over and clog-up traffic while I attend to a text that if I had heard it 95% of the time I could simply ignore until I got to my destination.

This is about safety and convenience that car companies are well aware of including KIA. The post is about why does the Stinger not come equipped with this OPTION (feel free to not use it if you don't like it, but most people are suggesting to use Android Auto or Apple Car Play so they can be distracted by those instead) when other (lesser) KIA's already have it?

 

[Christopher]

People keep missing the point...the BT text when well implemented such as Mazda, Subaru, many others, is less distracting than changing music tracks in the Stinger or voice dictating a nav location when the idiot voice command can never get the address straight and requires multiple tries.

I live in a jurisdiction that made texting illegal long ago and strongly believed all along that it should be illegal. That's precisely why a distraction-free interface where I can hear my texts, no different than listening to talk radio, is essential. No temptation to use the phone and take my eyes and attention off the road and no need to pull over and clog-up traffic while I attend to a text that if I had heard it 95% of the time I could simply ignore until I got to my destination.

This is about safety and convenience that car companies are well aware of including KIA. The post is about why does the Stinger not come equipped with this OPTION (feel free to not use it if you don't like it, but most people are suggesting to use Android Auto or Apple Car Play so they can be distracted by those instead) when other (lesser) KIA's already have it?

I guess my point is not every car comes with every feature that everyone wants. I don't think there's a car out there that has every feature imaginable. Couple that with what Kia and other manufacturers "think" you need in a certain market. Like... why wireless charging and 360 camera in Canada, but not the US. What's the reason for that. That said, I don't need a 360 camera as I can see and park the car perfectly fine without. Wireless charging... well unless you have a phone capable, then what's the point. For iPhone holders that would be the $1000 iPhone X. Some people care and some don't. Doesn't make the Stinger better or worse IMO.

 

[Marc Collins]

I guess my point is not every car comes with every feature that everyone wants. I don't think there's a car out there that has every feature imaginable. Couple that with what Kia and other manufacturers "think" you need in a certain market. Like... why wireless charging and 360 camera in Canada, but not the US. What's the reason for that. That said, I don't need a 360 camera as I can see and park the car perfectly fine without. Wireless charging... well unless you have a phone capable, then what's the point. For iPhone holders that would be the $1000 iPhone X. Some people care and some don't. Doesn't make the Stinger better or worse IMO.

True, but proper BT phone support is now ubiquitous. Would you take a car without A/C or power steering or a USB port? At the prince range of the Stinger?

 

[Kamauxx]

... well unless you have a phone capable, then what's the point. For iPhone holders that would be the $1000 iPhone X.

That's just an iPhone thing. Most mid-upper tier Android phones have had wireless charging for 4 or 5 years. Not sure what took apple so long to catch up.

...Back to your regularly scheduled programming...

 

[Kamauxx]

True, but proper BT phone support is now ubiquitous. Would you take a car without A/C or power steering or a USB port? At the prince range of the Stinger?

I agree. I wondered the same thing when I bought my 17 Optima SXL. It was fully loaded, nappa leather, wireless charging, 360 camera, ventilated seats, etc...but no BT text support.

What made it more strange is that I traded a 2016 4runner for it. The 4runners infotainment system is from 2011ish and it had BT text support.

I'm not sure why Kia won't include it on their cars. I bet there's some weird company wide weird legal reason though.

 

[Christopher]

True, but proper BT phone support is now ubiquitous. Would you take a car without A/C or power steering or a USB port? At the prince range of the Stinger?

I believe it has proper BT support. I can make and receive calls easily and using voice command and the car dials 911 if it senses I've been in an accident. That's more than sufficient. Many cars won't even dial 911 in an accident for you. I get your point, but it's also consumer preference. I think cooled seats are a must, especially with leather. Some people think the cooling feels strange and don't like them. Again... preference, but I will never buy a car without cooled seats.

 

[Christopher]

I agree. I wondered the same thing when I bought my 17 Optima SXL. It was fully loaded, nappa leather, wireless charging, 360 camera, ventilated seats, etc...but no BT text support.

What made it more strange is that I traded a 2016 4runner for it. The 4runners infotainment system is from 2011ish and it had BT text support.

I'm not sure why Kia won't include it on their cars. I bet there's some weird company wide weird legal reason though.

I had a fully loaded Ford Explorer Sport that I traded for the Stinger. It had BT supported texting and worked great... until a new release of the Apple iOS and it stopped working. Ford said it's a problem with Apple. I wonder if it's just not the best and most consistent technology given the different phones out there. Just a hunch. Or someone just forgot to add it. LOL