Topic: Long-Term Test Update 3: 2016 Mazda CX-3

[Autos_Editor]

The infotainment edition.
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[mlin32]

I probably mentioned this already, but it is not terribly hard to remove the speed-related restrictions if you have a cable and a laptop. Made all the complaints about sat nav input, pairing Bluetooth, SMS reading, etc.... go away. Also kind of disappointing they still haven't figured out the bugs related to displaying/updating messages......the MZD Connect system is wonderful in some ways and still struggling in others.

Another thing I don't understand is why the forward-facing camera (on vehicles so-equipped) used for the Lane Departure Warning system can't also read traffic signs and augment the speed limit display in the sat nav. Would also be able to recognise whether overtaking is permissable or not. Stuff like this has been out for many years....

[ArtW]

"“YAY! Text to voice!” – because I really like text to voice."

What about "voice-to-hear" as it is the normal way to do it like adults and use the phone for its main purpose (to some of us) as in a device allowing us to send our VOICE (not text) across the 7 seas to be HEARD (not read) by somebody else!

I'm wondering when will we see car manufacturers equipping the steering wheel with a "thumb-keyboard" so we can "text-hands-free" (thumb-busy). Do we really need to pay for this technology when Mother Nature equipped us with those 2 devices attached to the sides of our heads (ears)so we could hear directly whatever the other has to SAY? 

[JacobBlack]

"“YAY! Text to voice!” – because I really like text to voice."

What about "voice-to-hear" as it is the normal way to do it like adults and use the phone for its main purpose (to some of us) as in a device allowing us to send our VOICE (not text) across the 7 seas to be HEARD (not read) by somebody else!

I'm wondering when will we see car manufacturers equipping the steering wheel with a "thumb-keyboard" so we can "text-hands-free" (thumb-busy). Do we really need to pay for this technology when Mother Nature equipped us with those 2 devices attached to the sides of our heads (ears)so we could hear directly whatever the other has to SAY? 

I agree! In the same paragraph I moan that people text me instead of calling. I like calling far better, but in the meantime, this is a good solution.

[sszoomzoom]

I really really really like this car. I just want Mazda to bring the manual transmission on our shores and then I will test drive it. Not a fan of the automatics at all and because of that my options are sometimes limited.
Mazda please don't kill the manual.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

The last thing we need is allowing people to putz around with the infotainment system on the fly. Mazda has it largely right by locking out a lot of functions. In litigation happy US, it's only a matter of time before the ability to modify on the move functionality is removed altogether.

The largely featureless dash only emphasizes how ugly the tacked on iPad is.

[JacobBlack]

The last thing we need is allowing people to putz around with the infotainment system on the fly. Mazda has it largely right by locking out a lot of functions. In litigation happy US, it's only a matter of time before the ability to modify on the move functionality is removed altogether.

The largely featureless dash only emphasizes how ugly the tacked on iPad is.

All that will happen is that the inability for anyone to enter anything on the fly will have them doing it on their smartphone instead, which is far worse.
I don't find the dash featureless, or the screen ugly but I know that many of you do.

[SaskSpecV]

The last thing we need is allowing people to putz around with the infotainment system on the fly. Mazda has it largely right by locking out a lot of functions. In litigation happy US, it's only a matter of time before the ability to modify on the move functionality is removed altogether.

Don't worry SirO.  Rather than removing "the ability to modify on the move functionality", soon the "driver" won't actually be driving the car - what with autonomous vehicles and all...

Think I might just weep on my keyboard now 

[mlin32]

The last thing we need is allowing people to putz around with the infotainment system on the fly. Mazda has it largely right by locking out a lot of functions. In litigation happy US, it's only a matter of time before the ability to modify on the move functionality is removed altogether.

The largely featureless dash only emphasizes how ugly the tacked on iPad is.

All that will happen is that the inability for anyone to enter anything on the fly will have them doing it on their smartphone instead, which is far worse.
I don't find the dash featureless, or the screen ugly but I know that many of you do.

This is what I don't understand about Mazda's logic of locking out the SMS display when the vehicle is in motion. The whole point, is to have the person keep their eye level close to the road/horizon. What happens when a SMS comes in and it's blocked out? You look down, grab your smartphone, and look at that instead, which is more unsafe.

Even my Ford Mondeo/Fusion with the same SMS/voice function lets me do both while in motion.

[Scaerio]

The largely featureless dash only emphasizes how ugly the tacked on iPad is.

I can't believe that Audi and Mercedes get away with this on the A3, CLA, and GLA...

[Sir Osis of Liver]

The largely featureless dash only emphasizes how ugly the tacked on iPad is.

I can't believe that Audi and Mercedes get away with this on the A3, CLA, and GLA...

NOT WITH ME, THEY DON'T! 

[NLCAR]

How do the LED headlights compare to a car that has stock HID headlights? Night driving safety is important to me.

[jman72]

Saw my first one in the wild today. What's interesting is that it's no taller than the Versa next to it.

[conwelpic]

here's a GS FWD in Dynamic Blue Mica.  MSRP:  $24,195.  Glanced in the window and did not see any console armrest.

[dirtyjeffer]

Saw my first one in the wild today. What's interesting is that it's no taller than the Versa next to it.

but it's an SUV, so it's better in every way. 

[Bubba]

Saw my first one in the wild today. What's interesting is that it's no taller than the Versa next to it.

Sure it is, by 6 mm.   

[Noto]

The reality is that cars are going to be able to do more stuff, and so the complexity of such HMI systems will see a concomitant increase.

Nice article, Jacob, but I suspect Mazda won't listen to you.

[dutch]

Stitcher is something I’ve never heard of, because I’m old, and I read a book about never opening up anything belonging to Pandora once, so I’m leaving that one the hell alone.

   

[mlin32]

Serious question though.........what is Stitcher? Pandora I know of (and don't have, or want to use), but I remember things like Aha and Stitcher on the Mazda3 I used to have and was confused as to what they are.

[mixmanmash]

Serious question though.........what is Stitcher? Pandora I know of (and don't have, or want to use), but I remember things like Aha and Stitcher on the Mazda3 I used to have and was confused as to what they are.

Think of them as internet radio services that offer more unique choices, especially specific to a genre you may like.