Missed CUE: Cadillac’s frustrating new control system
Dashboard one-upmanship has gone into
overdrive lately as automakers introduce more electronically controlled
infotainment systems. Most are more complicated and distracting to use than
traditional controls. But Cadillac’s new CUE system is the most annoying we’ve
seen yet.
The
XTS’s flush capacitive buttons often respond slowly or incorrectly
Like the similar MyFord/MyLincoln Touch
system, CUE (for Cadillac User Experience) uses a center touch screen, speech
recognition, steering-wheel-mounted controls, and flush capacitive switches
that respond to a touch or sliding motion.
CUE looks beautifully high-tech, with a sea
of piano black and chrome trim. It’s easy to connect a smart phone, voice
commands are comprehensive, and screen graphics are mostly easy to read. But we
found that using the system can be maddening.
It’s a long reach to the touch screen, a
nuisance for something with which you’re supposed to easily interact. The
screen is prone to glare, it doesn’t always respond to a touch, and it’s easy
to hit the wrong spot. The touch screen and the accompanying capacitive
switches are designed to provide tactile feedback so that you know you pressed
them successfully, but that doesn’t always work promptly, if at all. The
buttons don’t always respond correctly to touch either, which is very annoying
when you’re trying to adjust the audio volume
CUE
looks beautifully high-tech, with a sea of piano black and chrome trim.
In navigating the system, you often need to
change to a different screen. But some onscreen buttons don’t’ appear until
your finger gets close, which increases the time it takes to perform a
function.
Moving through some menus is done by
swiping the screen, like with a smart phone or tablet. It may look impressive
in a showroom demonstration, but that fussy move works better for controlling
handheld electronics when not driving. It also makes the screen a smudgy mess.
Many owners may resort to using voice
commands, especially to work the audio. The system works well at selecting
radio stations or songs from an iPod.
The XTS comes with an Apple iPad loaded
with a tutorial app for CUE. But we found that even using the tutorial is
awkward. We also question whether any car should be so complicated that such a
primer is necessary.
The
XTS comes with an Apple iPad loaded with a tutorial app for CUE.
We’ve criticized other control systems in
the past-including BMW’s iDrive, Audi’s MMi, and some versions of Ford’s
MyFord/MyLincoln Touch- but we’d take them over CUE. That said, Chrysler’s
Uconnect touch-screen system tops the all, offering comparable capability while
being easier to use.
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Cadillac XTS tested vehicle
·
Highs: roomy interior and trunk, seat comfort,
fit and finish, quietness, braking, transmission
·
Lows: frustrating CUE driver interface, ride
not plush enough, visibility, small trunk opening
·
Trim line: premium
·
Drivetrain: 304-hp, 3.6-liter V6 engine;
six-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive
·
Major options: sunroof, rear sunshades
·
Tested price: $57,200
More
test findings
·
Braking: excellent, with a responsive pedal
and very short stops from Brembo front brakes
·
Headlights: Xenon HID lamps provide good
visibility overall but have a sharp upper cutoff.
·
Access: easy, but sills are a little wide
·
Visibility: thick pillars, a high and deep
rear deck, and a small glass area diminish the driver’s view out.
Rear-camera, cross-traffic alert, and blind-zone monitoring systems all work
well
·
Cabin storage: moderate, with a hidden cubby
behind center controls
·
Head restraints: no center-rear restraint.
Front pair adjusts fore and aft for comfort.
·
Child seats: some rear-facing seats may be
difficult to secure with safety belts. LATCH anchors are available in all
rear positions but are hard to reach.
|
Buttons
on the touch screen disappear until you reach for them, making it hard to aim
for what you want.
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Lincoln MKS tested vehicle
·
Highs: quietness, rear-seat room, fit and
finish
·
Lows: frustrating controls, un-composed ride,
transmission, narrow cockpit, visibility, turning circle, small trunk
opening.
·
Trim line: base
·
Drivetrain: 304-hp, 3.7-liter V6 engine;
six-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive
·
Major options: navigation, rear amera,
blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning,
moonroof, power adjustable pedals
·
Tested price: $50,070
More
test findings
·
Braking: very good, with a fairly responsive
pedal
·
Headlights: standard HIDs provide very good
visibility but have a sharp cutoff. Automatic high beams work well
·
Access: easy enough, but the door sills are
wide and door openings are small for a big car.
·
Visibility: thick pillars, small rear windows,
and a high rear deck diminish the view. Rear-camera, cross-traffic alert, and
blind-zone monitoring systems work well
·
Cabin storage: modest overall
·
Head restraints: The center-rear has no
restraint and it’s not tall enough to provide adequate rear-crash protection
for adults. The outboard restraints don’t adjust.
·
Child seats: The lower LATCH anchors and the
outer top-tether
|
As
in other Ford vehicles, the MyLincoln Touch system doesn’t offer a
straight-forward interface for drivers
