Consumer Reports family sedans chat

Today, Consumer Reports experts will be online to discuss the latest road test group—family sedans—here in the Cars blog at 1 p.m. ET.

As seen in the December 2009 edition of Consumer Reports magazine, we tested several all-new and updated models, including the Ford Fusion, Mazda3 iTouring, Subaru Legacy, and Toyota Camry.

Our automotive experts will field questions about these cars and other sedans during the live, interactive chat, sharing test findings and helping you make the right buying decisions.

Consumer Reports family sedans chat

Friday, November 20th, Consumer Reports experts will be online to discuss the latest road test group—family sedans—here in the Cars blog at 1 p.m. ET.

As seen in the December 2009 edition of Consumer Reports magazine, we tested several all-new and updated models, including the Ford Fusion, Mazda3 iTouring, Subaru Legacy, and Toyota Camry.

Our automotive experts will field questions about these cars and other sedans during the live, interactive chat, sharing test findings and helping you make the right buying decisions.

Go to the family sedan chat. The chat will be archive and can be read at any time.

—Jeff Bartlett 

Toyota safety recall notices arrive in owners’ mailboxes

Late September, Toyota Motor Sales issued advice online for Lexus and Toyota vehicle owners to remove their floor mats pending further investigation into sudden acceleration complaints. As promised, the automaker has sent notifications by mail detailing the risks and corrective measures for owners.

The impacted vehicles identified by Toyota include:

2005 - 2010 Toyota Avalon
2007 - 2010 Toyota Camry
2004 - 2009 Toyota Prius
2005 - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
2007 - 2010 Toyota Tundra
2007 - 2010 Lexus ES350
2006 - 2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350

An “interim” notice received by a Consumer Reports staff member lists the specific, factory-approved mats for their Prius. (A sample letter can be view as a pdf.) It advises “Only install floor mats designed specifically for the model and model year.” The multi-page letter provides instructions for identifying the floor mat part number (located on the bottom of the back side of the mat) to confirm appropriate fitment.

The letter warns not to stack mats. This is particularly important with the approach of winter, as many motorists want to install all-weather mats. Such mats are designed to better hold water and debris, and therefore are generally thicker. As with all mats, again, only install models specifically designed for your vehicle.
 
A key concern is that a mat may interfere with the accelerator or brake pedal. These pedals should move freely without touching a mat.
 
The bottom-line advice from Toyota is to “take out any removable driver’s floor mat and not replace it… until the campaign remedy is ready and implemented on your vehicle.”
 
Toyota will notify owners as soon as a remedy is available. And as we have reported separately, there is an indication that they are looking beyond the floor mats to a possible change to the accelerator pedals. (Read: “Toyota may address gas pedals in acceleration recall.”)
 
Be prepared in case of sudden acceleration on a Lexus, Toyota, or model from any other brand by reading these steps from Toyota, and our test-based advice:
Putting a car in Neutral might save your life
Putting stuck floor mat survival strategies to the test

For more information, visit Toyota.com/floormats.
 
Learn about safety technologies in our car safety section.
 

—Jeff Bartlett

Related:
Gas-pedal inspection shows most do not pivot
More than floor mats: NHTSA report gives more details on Lexus crash
Floor mat survey reveals problem with all-weather mats
Toyota and Lexus floor mat recall is official
Toyota advises 3.8 million Lexus and Toyota owners to remove floor mats
Misaligned floor mat may have caused calamity

Video: New handheld hiking GPS ratings

We have updated our handheld hiking GPS ratings with the addition of the Delorme Earthmate PN-30 and Garmin Dakota 10 devices. We had previewed the Delorme last year, when we were developing our ratings and buying advice, but the device reached the market after our project had been completed. The Garmin Dakota is a new device, just recently introduced.
 
The Delorme Earthmate PN-30 is the middle unit in the Earthmate line, providing the basic guidance needed for hiking and geocaching, with the ability to add maps. It includes 1:100k topography maps, and the unit can be updated with aerial imagery, akin to Google’s “satellite” map view. Although a newer unit, it has a dated feel compared to some Garmin units, with a smaller screen and display text for menus. There is a camouflaged version offered, though we would caution against that, as it would make the device harder to find should it be dropped or left behind by accident.
 
The Dakota 10 is the base model of a new line that is essentially a ¾-scale version of the touchscreen Oregon series. The Dakota 10 is easy to use, with an appealing display and intuitive menu structure. It can also be expanded with further maps.
 
Both units do not have a barometric altimeter or electronic compass, as found on higher-end models.
 
With the addition of these new units, we now have nine popular handheld devices in our ratings table, each with a product page, specifications, user reviews, and a Price & Shop feature.
 
Handheld hiking devices can lead you on adventures, exploring the wilderness with confidence or pursuing geocaches on an electronic treasure hunt. And they can make great gifts.

When reading through the ratings and buying advice, consider how the hiking device would be used and resist the temptation to overspend for features that may not be worthwhile. In our testing, we found some inexpensive units can work quite well, admittedly sacrificing screen size and some ease of use. On the other hand, such affordable models can often be lighter and more packable.

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings, first looks, and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

—Jeff Bartlett

Video: New GPS navigation buying guide

As we have often said, the portable navigation device (PND) market is fast moving, with innovations and new products appearing every few months. In particular, we have seen a dramatic increase in the quantity and quality of cell-phone based navigation solutions just since summer. (See our iPhone navigation app reviews.) While we have been busy testing the significant devices and software as they become available, it was time to update our GPS buying guide video to reflect these new products and trends, as well.
 
In this video, we highlight key considerations for GPS buyers and share our related buying advice. Seeing features demonstrated and explained in the video may help in making the right choice for you. Also shown is our GPS product selector tool, which allows online subscribers to quickly sort and filter our vast ratings to show the models that best suit your needs and budget. There are almost 300 GPS navigators in the tool currently. If you find products of interest, you can move on to the product pages for detailed information, or use the pricing tool to compare prices through approved, safe vendors in an ad-free environment.
 
When it comes to shopping for a navigator, the right place to go is the Consumer Reports GPS buying guide.

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings, first looks, and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

  —Jeff Bartlett

By the numbers: How many apps are there?

98,750

The marketing phrase “There’s an app for that” has become ingrained in our popular culture, and over time, it rings increasingly true. So, just how many smart-phone applications are available? Consumer Reports Information Services found that as of October 23rd, there were a total of about 98,750 applications available for the top-selling smart phones.
 
The GPS team has been busy since this summer evaluating iPhone applications and recently the free Google Maps Navigation on the Motorola Droid. And no wonder, prolific application development is creating an exponential increase in available software, expanding in both quality and diversity. We have seen early navigation apps designed for iPhone OS 3.0 evolve quickly since August, with new features helping them to better work with the phone and more closely replicate the experience using a portable navigation device (PND).
 
That said, the distribution isn’t equal across all platforms.
 
We found that apps break down as follows:

iPhone/iPod Touch – 85,000
Android – 10,000
Symbian – 5,500 (“content items”)
BlackBerry – 3,000
Windows Mobile – 550
Palm – 200

The Apple iPhone touts a huge quantity advantage over competing operating systems, and more recent figures show it has since crested the 100,000 mark. (This is made more impressive by the fact Apple approves each app!) In reality, you may just need a few targeted apps for your needs, plus maybe a couple for pure entertainment.

Another piece of trivia: The top grossing app is the Navigon Mobile Navigator.

As significant automotive applications become available, we’ll be taking them for a test drive, between evaluating the latest portable navigators and hiking devices. Looks like we’ll have our work cut out for us!

What apps have you used that are worth testing? Submit your suggestions in the comments field below.

See our full reviews of AT&T Navigator, iGo My Way, Navigon Mobile Navigator, Sygic Mobile Maps, TomTom iPhone application, and X Road G-Map for iPhone. And our Motorola Droid navigation review.

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings, first looks, and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

  —Jeff Bartlett

Test Drive: Live traffic data on Navigon Mobile Navigator iPhone app

Navigon was the first major GPS maker to offer a downloadable iPhone navigation app, porting over its graphic interface and features to the popular cell phone. Today, the Navigon Mobile Navigator stands as the top-grossing application in the Apple iTunes store, though until this week it has lacked one key feature: traffic information. (See our Navigon Mobile Navigator review.)
 
Navigon has pioneered many features on portable navigation devices (PNDs), such as reality view and free, real-time traffic data. Now no longer offering devices in the United States, Navigon is focused on applications, Navigon continues to innovate by offering Traffic Live as a premium iPhone app with a one-time fee. Navigon Mobile Navigator is now a $90 application. Traffic Live adds another $25, though no monthly or annual fee is required. The costs do add up, but the total price is still significantly less than purchasing a comparable PND. This add-on is purchased through the Mobile Navigator application, rather than from the iTunes store.
 
As with past Navigon PNDs, the Traffic Live information is aggregated from road sensors and traffic cameras, and supplied by Clear Channel’s Total Traffic Network. Navigon claims to supplement this traffic information with real-time speed data from commercial fleets, as well as regular GPS users. The most exciting development is adding crowdsourced data from Navigon application users who choose to share their current speed and location.
 
The traffic information is neatly integrated into the iPhone application, which has a similar look and feel to the traffic menus on the discontinued Navigon PNDs. Traffic Live provides information such as the start and end point of an incident, the average speed of traffic, a description of the traffic type (construction, accident, road closed, etc.), an expected time delay, the distance to incident, and length of the traffic incident. Users can decide if they want traffic information to be automatically included when calculating a route or upon request. 
 
Traffic incidents can be viewed in a list and can be sorted a number of ways.  For example, surrounding traffic can be displayed or only incidents on the current route. Incidents can be further filtered by distance to event, road, or expected delay time. When selecting a traffic incident from the list, it is displayed on the route with an overhead view, along with related information, such as traffic speed.
 
In our initial tests, we found a Garmin Nuvi 1690 found more traffic incidents, though it is hard to say which system is better. Remember, more alerts isn’t the goal. Timely, accurate reports are more valuable. Due to the variables in testing, we do not rate traffic services on accuracy. However, we expect the crowdsourcing aspect to significantly aid Live Traffic as more users download the add-on application.
 
We can say, the traffic integration is well done, though there remains room for improvement regarding color coding, especially on the main map screen. (Many competitors overlay traffic conditions in different colors on the main map screen so a user can see upcoming incidents at a glance.)
 
Bottom line
The Mobile Navigator remains one of the best navigation apps available for the iPhone, serving as a viable alternative to a traditional PND. For $25, Traffic Live is a natural choice for users looking to add traffic information. However, our long-standing advice remains that any traffic information can be inaccurate or outdated, as is the case with other competing products, whether apps or PNDs. Navigon’s edge is in tapping users to be mobile traffic sensors, and given the popularity of the iPhone and this software, the company has a better chance than most of making good on the promised benefits of crowdsourcing traffic info.

See our full reviews of AT&T Navigator, iGo My Way, Navigon Mobile Navigator, Sygic Mobile Maps, TomTom iPhone application, and X Road G-Map for iPhone. And our Motorola Droid navigation review.

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings, first looks, and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

  —Jeff Bartlett and Frank Spinelli

Review: Motorola Droid with free Google Maps Navigation

Navigation options continue to expand, with cell phones and smart phones providing alternatives to traditional portable navigation devices (PNDs). The latest such option is Google Maps Navigation, included in beta form on Android 2.0 devices. While Google Maps has long been available on the iPhone, this latest version offers true Google turn-by-turn directions for the first time on a mobile device. (Read our Android 2.0 navigation preview.)
 
The free Google Maps Navigation launches on the Motorola Droid phone with Verizon service. The Google service will expand to other phones and smart-phone platforms running other operating systems.
 
We tested the Google navigator on the Droid, a slider-style phone with a full QWERTY keyboard. The Droid has a 3.7-inch screen, giving it an advantage over the 3.5-inch iPhone screen. It also has the ability to run multiple applications at once, unlike the Apple phone. Perhaps the greater advantage is that it is on the Verizon network, rather than AT&T, which as been higher rated in our national cell phone surveys. (See our iPhone navigation app reviews.)
 
Verizon has the exclusive on the Motorola Droid, which is priced at $199, after a $100 rebate. Nationwide cell-phone voice plans begin at $40 a month, with e-mail/Web data plan adding at least $30.
 
Like other cell-phone navigators, Google Maps Navigation is server based—meaning it downloads maps and points of interest data as needed, rather than storing a large database on the device. Consequently, a data plan is required to use it. In addition, a cell signal is needed—limiting its usefulness in some remote places. In areas without a 3G network, downloading maps and recalculating routes can be slowed. An upside of this approach is that there is no need for map upgrades.
 
Test findings
As a navigator, Google Maps Navigation has common features, including spoken street names, and provides adequate routing. However, it does not include some features found on mid-priced PNDs and even some iPhone applications, such as reality view and lane assistance.
 
On the other hand, the free, bundled Android application has some of the more enticing features found in the online version of Google Maps. For example, a user can layer additional information on the main map screen, such as real-time traffic patterns, selected POIs, and satellite imagery of the actual landscape. “Street view” provides a photographic street-level representation, with the ability to zoom and pan the area. This could potentially be helpful when identifying a destination. All navigators indicate “you have arrived,” though this can theoretically literally show your destination.
 
These innovative features are novel, but the practical use when driving is limited. The satellite layer makes it more challenging to interpret the map at a glance, and street view can be confusing, as we found it often wasn’t accurate.
 
Following the connected trend among navigation devices, Google Maps Navigation taps users to supply traffic information, to provide user reviews for POIs, and to share their current location with Google Latitude.
 
Basic route guidance is adequate, providing turn-by-turn directions. Address entry is mixed. Some users found the onscreen menus to be less intuitive than those found on a traditional PND, and the touch-screen operation is less intuitive. The slide-out keyboard provides an alternative method to entering data, but its keys are small and closely placed. We found using it to be more difficult than with other competing devices. However, the Droid does have plain-speech voice recognition, allowing for verbal data entries in a more natural way than premium PNDs with voice recognition. We found this worked well.
 
The application sometimes feels more like using Google.com via a handheld, than an integrated solution. For example, a query from the main menu leads to Google.com, which can be confusing. To get results like on traditional PND, a user must be on the map screen (or navigation) then perform a search.  This will drop pins on the map and a user can select a pin to navigate too. The user can view the results in a list, as well, by tapping an icon.
 
When receiving a call, the screen changes and the map is no longer visible. This effectively negates the Android’s multitasking capabilities, whose chief in-car benefit would be to use the phone and navigation simultaneously.
 
Bottom line
The power and potential of Google Maps Navigation has captured the attention of the GPS industry and tech enthusiasts, but this service has a way to go to be compared among the best solutions for GPS navigation. That being said, if you decide to buy a phone with Google Maps Navigation preinstalled, it is adequate and would eliminate the need to pay for GPS and traffic services. But don’t let this software be the leading reason to purchase an Android 2.0 phone.

As we have seen with iPhone applications, software can advance rapidly. Clearly, Google Maps Navigation has promise. Consequently, competitors will likely redouble their development efforts, ensuring consumers have better navigation choices down the road. For now, we favor the better iPhone applications such as Navigon, Tomtom, and MotionX offerings for the combination of software and hardware.

For frequent use, a dedicated portable navigator remains the best choice.

 —Jeff Bartlett and Frank Spinelli

Also read:
Droid vs. iPhone: A 10-round bout
Our first impressions of the Motorola Droid
Garmin Nuvifone G60 navigation review

See our reviews of AT&T Navigator, iGo My Way, Gokivo, Navigon Mobile Navigator, Sygic Mobile Maps, TomTom iPhone application, and X Road G-Map for iPhone.

Images courtesy Motorola and Google.

Auto X Prize Finalist: West Philadelphia Hybrid X team

It doesn’t take a major automaker, or even an established company to build a credible competitor for the Automotive X Prize. It turns out, it doesn’t even need a team run by grownups.

The West Philly Hybrid X team consists of a group of inner-city high school kids who do their work as an after-hours club. This volunteer effort has many benefits to the participants, including teaching teamwork and engineering essentials. Life skills and inspiration alone would make being involved in the program worthwhile, but the high schoolers and mentors can take pride in having both entries accepted as finalists in the competition. One is an Alternative Class car that uses a diesel hybrid drivetrain installed in a widely available sports-car kit. Their Mainstream Class entry (which requires four seats, four wheels, and a 200 mile range), made a visit to New York City as part of an event to announce the 43 finalists. (Read “Automotive X Prize finalists announced.”)

Called the West Philly Hybrid X EVX Focus, the Mainstream entry is a Ford Focus converted to hybrid-electric power, using a 60-horsepower electric motor coupled to a 1,300 cc, 80-hp Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine. The electric motor is powered by a 10.2 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery pack. The team says the Focus will maintain all its five-passenger cargo capacity and have a 13.8 cubic-foot trunk. Mileage is estimated to be 110 to 120 mpg equivalent, using gasoline and electricity. 

The team focused on using all-American technology, well, make that North American: The Focus is made in Mexico, and the Harley-Davidson engine in Wisconsin. The team has also explored having the car built locally in Philadelphia.

X Prize teams have to have a viable business plan to produce and sell 10,000 of each of their cars. The West Philly Hybrid X team plan factors buying Focus chassis as “gliders”--sans engine and transmission-- from Ford, to keep the total price under $20,000.

Regardless of the final results from the Auto X Prize to be determined next year, clearly the West Philly team is made up of winners.

Learn more about the Automotive X Prize competition. And find out more about driving green in the Consumer Reports special fuel economy section.

—Eric Evarts with Jeff Bartlett 

Free Google navigation for Android 2.0 phones

The mobile navigation offerings continue to evolve and expand, with Google announcing that it will offer Google Maps Navigation in beta form for Android 2.0 devices when they hit the market next week. Previously Google Maps on cell phones, including the Apple iPhone, had limited-functionality indicating just current location on a map. Starting next week, Google will be able to provide turn-by-turn guidance, along with several other features that will add unique appeal.
 
The Droid has a 3.7-inch screen, giving it an advantage over the 3.5-inch iPhone screen. It also has the ability to run multiple applications as once, unlike the popular Apple phone. Perhaps the greater advantage is that it is on the Verizon network, rather than AT&T, which as been higher rated in our national cell phone surveys. (See our iPhone navigation app reviews.)
 
Verizon has the exclusive on the Motorola Droid, and it will be the first phone using Google Maps Navigation when it goes on sale November 6th for $199, after a $100 rebate. Nationwide cell-phone voice plans begin at $40 a month, with e-mail/Web data plan adding at least $30.
 
Google claims its app does seven things you may not be able to do with your current device:

Search in plain English, rather than stick with specific points of interest categories and specific addresses. Google allows these, as well as approximate addresses and business name, and it can resolve misspellings.
 
Voice recognition allows the user to speak the address, or query a specific search such as ask for the museum with a certain exhibit. Android is able to perform the search online, as you would with Google at your desktop, and integrate the findings into the navigation app.
 
Live traffic data is displayed with green, yellow, and red overlaps on the route. Android can provide alternative routes.
 
Points of interest can be found along the route, though this function is common among current portable navigation devices (PNDs).
 
Satellite view as popularized online is available to provide the context for routing, though this may not be the preferred mode when driving.
 
Street view gives a photo-based take on reality, overlaid with the colored route guidance. When you arrive at your destination, the address may be shown with a photograph, when available.
 
Car dock mode reacts when the phone is put in a mount to provide easy access to voice command and navigation.

Whether these nifty features hold up against the ease of use and travel information provided by other applications and dedicated portable navigation devices remains to be seen. Both our telephone and GPS experts will evaluate the Droid and this software for a full report in the coming days.

The Droid will also face competition from the Garmin Nuvifone G60.

  —Jeff Bartlett

See our reviews of AT&T Navigator, iGo My Way, Gokivo, Navigon Mobile Navigator, Sygic Mobile Maps, TomTom iPhone application, and X Road G-Map for iPhone.

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings, first looks, and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

Images courtesy Motorola and Google.