Americas Less impressed after the test

[LC0013]

Seems you either hate it or like it. Just make sure we can turn it off permanently, if we wish, and it would be ok for probably all of us.
With that said I pretty much despise it and the rest of the nanny technology that goes with it.

 

[Catpaw4x4]

I am sure that you are one of the few drivers that focus on the road without any excuses. Allways! But the truth is that many people do not have this 100 % focus on the road. Obviously it will not be the same for you, but many people get distracted by talking to other passengers (or on the phone) Some search for food or beverages in the door or somewhere else. Some focus half a second on the radio or phone.
For all those not 100 % perfect drivers (like me for example) ACC is a great safety feature in many but not all circumstances.
There is no need to think it will safe the world, but to "despise it vehemently" is a little bit to easy as well.
Best regards
bemax

While some people were doing the laundry list of "non-driving" items prior to ACC, do you think that having ACC has increased the incidence of people doing things they darn well know they shouldn't be doing while driving?
My perception is while only the Tesla has some self driving software (which has failed on occasion), modern vehicles have all these nanny monitors such that so many people think their vehicle is capable of self driving so engage in increasing number of actions unrelated to actually driving the vehicle. Many people "operate" a car - get in turn the key, stomp on the gas pedal and go. Few people actually engage in activity "driving" a vehicle - focused on situational awareness surrounding their vehicle and reacting accordingly.
People are becoming "poorer" operators of vehicles because of these nanny addons. Manufactures advertise vehicles being "safer".
One of the simplest designs that could be required of all manufactures to improve safety of a vehicle is mandating that turn signals are yellow and not an option of yellow or red and are at mid height on the rear of the vehicle and not on the lowest point of the rear bumper.
Also, agree with the British (other Europeans?) - when vehicles are involved in a crash it is an "incident" not an "accident" vast majority. Now should a deer elect to commit suicide and run out of the woods into your driving path, that would qualify as an accident .

Didn't mean to hijack this thread for some personal venting. Nor to incite anyone into anger - comments welcomed.

Cheers

 

[Roach]

My first experience with lane change assist was back around 2013 or so. Didn’t care for it at first but after a few years I liked having a second opinion. Same with back-up cameras and ACC.

Maybe a “nanny” could be defined as something that can’t be or difficult to disable. The rest are options/features

 

[Roach]

While some people were doing the laundry list of "non-driving" items prior to ACC, do you think that having ACC has increased the incidence of people doing things they darn well know they shouldn't be doing while driving?
My perception is while only the Tesla has some self driving software (which has failed on occasion), modern vehicles have all these nanny monitors such that so many people think their vehicle is capable of self driving so engage in increasing number of actions unrelated to actually driving the vehicle. Many people "operate" a car - get in turn the key, stomp on the gas pedal and go. Few people actually engage in activity "driving" a vehicle - focused on situational awareness surrounding their vehicle and reacting accordingly.
People are becoming "poorer" operators of vehicles because of these nanny addons. Manufactures advertise vehicles being "safer".
One of the simplest designs that could be required of all manufactures to improve safety of a vehicle is mandating that turn signals are yellow and not an option of yellow or red and are at mid height on the rear of the vehicle and not on the lowest point of the rear bumper.
Also, agree with the British (other Europeans?) - when vehicles are involved in a crash it is an "incident" not an "accident" vast majority. Now should a deer elect to commit suicide and run out of the woods into your driving path, that would qualify as an accident .

Didn't mean to hijack this thread for some personal venting. Nor to incite anyone into anger - comments welcomed.

Cheers

I’m with you on “poorer operators”. I considered driving an art and privilege.

 

[Catpaw4x4]

I’m with you on “poorer operators”. I considered driving an art and privilege.

I grew up on a manual. My 96 Discovery is a manual. A manual puts you "in tune" with your vehicle and your surroundings. The "G" would have been a better vehicle if a manual. As not an option, gladly settled for the auto. Have to admit at some point, engaging the clutch could become an issue so that's what automatics are for. Will hopefully be on my 2nd "G" at that time or have had some awesome mechanics keeping"G1" moving!

 

[bikesandguitars]

Most of the valid stuff, like turning circle, rear visibility, camera quality etc has been well covered by others and should’nt really be a surprise if you have been around here. They are true, however I find I have already adapted to these and they don’t bother me on a daily basis.

The wobble, that isn’t normal and must be a problem with that vehicle.

Very few vehicles even have an option for sliders from factory most people go aftermarket and there are already options and no doubt more will emerge.

Same for lift and tyres, you can already get taller springs from the EOM manufacturer Eibach and 33 will fit even without it. Again this is usually aftermarket for most vehicles.

The USB is a well documented miss but look around here, plenty of solutions that are easy to implement and the power is already available in the footwells for whatever solution you come up with.

I love the driving position one if the best I have ever experienced but everyone’s body is different and so thats an individual thing.

Engine performance is again a personal thing. Americans are addicted to stupidly overpowered cars, butbin reality these things are as powerful as any 2.5-3 tonne brick has any right to be. My diesel is more than adequate for me.

On rear footroom, it’s true that you are a bit limited in being anble to push feet under the seat in front but I am 6’2” and have done several 2 hour stretches in the back seat and had no problems making myself comfortable.

This is about as accurate an assessment as you can find.
Some people went nuts about the over speed warning, the turning radius, the rear view camera, etc., For me, they’re just minor quirks that amount to nothing. The over speed warning is two button pushes to disable. The turning radius is a non-issue for confident, skilled drivers and the limited view of the rear view camera is the same - just something to adapt to. I’ve adapted enough that I can easily hook up my trailers on first try with just the camera.

Now that I have 7K miles on my Grenadier, the B58 is sounding and performing wonderfully. It’s as smooth as silk - and more than powerful enough both on and off road. I was very skeptical of the BMW engine and still have nightmares about my N54 equipped 2009 535 iDrive. I’m going to trust that if the B58 is good enough for Toyota, it’s good enough for me.

The bottom line is that there isn’t one car or truck that will please everyone - except, of course, a 100 series LX470 - but those are now long in the tooth. . My Grenadier reminds me of my 100 series - but it’s even more capable off road.