The term technology overload is new to the automotive world. In recent years, manufacturers have gone to great lengths to provide more gadgets in their vehicles to beat the other guy. The competition is fierce, but what does it all mean?
Do drivers need all this stuff? Many of the safety improvements, side detection mirrors, traffic monitoring, backup cameras, are beneficial. But over-sensitive bells and buzzers that engage seemingly at random?
David Lyon, a former General Motors designer, speaking at the 2015 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress in Detroit, stressed the need for an industry “features intervention.”
Likewise in 2015, J.D. Power, the global market research company, detailed the issue in its first Driver Interactive Vehicle Experience Report. It reported new car drivers on the average have not used 16 of 33 technology features in their vehicles.
Further, a report earlier this year from Research and Markets, the international business data company, summarized: “Distraction or driver discomfort may also arise from any limitation of the product feature that may be detrimental to the safety of the driver, vehicle, and surrounding traffic environment.”
I first realized technology overland last year while testing driving a 2016 Lincoln MKX near the freeway interchange between Interstate 680 South and Highway 24 West. It’s often a showcase for drivers’ worst behaviors. You can drive it a thousand times, prepare for a safe move to the proper lane and still face peril. Wherever I moved, a sensor or warning light engaged. Much of it was unnecessary.
The Lincoln MKX is a fine automobile, but it’s hampered by technology overload. The SUV has a detection system so sensitive, it doesn’t know when to shut up.
Read the full review here: 2016 Lincoln MKX
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ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
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2017 Kia Niro: Hybrid SUV redefined
2017 Madza3: The little beast that can
2017 Jeep Cherokee: Iconic WWII symbol endures
2017 Toyota Tacoma: Versatile, sturdy, fun
2017 Bentley Bentayga: Luxury, craftsmanship personified.
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Pacific Coast Dream Machine Show, Everything with an engine
Electric Automotive Corridor: Monterey connected to South Lake Tahoe
Auto Trends: Driverless vans, exotic colors
BLAST FROM THE PAST
2016 Honda Fit: Best value of any U.S. car?
2016 Toyota Camry: Best-selling sedan gets sportier
2016 GMC Yukon Denali: Big, badass, defies logic
MANUFACTURERS’ SPOTLIGHT
Subaru: Most versatile carmaker in the U.S.?
Kia: Hey, Honda, Toyota, don’t look back!
Ford: Dominating pick-ups, hot-shot compact
WACKY WORLD OF CARS
Chicago’s new dubious honor: longest average car commute
Mercedes-Benz breaks from tradition with first pick-up
The worst car ever? Auto-Kabine, a VW Bug on steroids?
The Weekly Driver e-newsletter is published weekly by James Raia, editor and publisher of theweeklydriver.com. Online since 2004, the website features new car reviews, automotive news and videos. We hope you enjoy the content and tell your friends, family and colleagues to sign-up on our website. Comments are welcomed. Advertising is accepted.
Cheers, James Raia
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Article Last Updated: July 29, 2023.
- About the Author
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
