The Top Technologies Mature Drivers Want

Blind-spot warnings and back-up cameras top the list.
Some think certain tech makes drivers too reliant.

By Bill McLauchlan

There seems no end to the onslaught of electronic wizardly introduced by auto manufacturers these days.

Most of it falls into the “infotainment” category to make your car more “connected” to the outside world but many of the technology additions help to make driving safer and/or enhance your driving experience.

So it was interesting to learn from a recently released study just what new technology features we, as mature drivers, will accept in our current or next vehicle purchases.

Blind-spot warning systems and back-up cameras are the technologies mature drivers are most willing to adopt, according to new research by The Hartford – a leader in property and casualty insurance – and the MIT Age Lab – a multi-disciplinary research program that works with business, government and NGOs to improve the quality of life of older people and those who care for them.

Their combined research project, Vehicle Technology Adoption Among Mature Drivers, involved 302 drivers ages 50-69 to assess their likelihood to adopt current vehicle technologies. In the study, participants viewed a video about seven vehicle technologies (blind-spot systems, reverse back-up cameras, smart headlights, collision avoidance systems, lane departure warnings, parking assistance and adaptive cruise control), as well as a video about a self-driving car, and responded to the video via a perception analyzer tool. This was followed by further analysis, small group discussions and pre/post-test questionnaires.

Graphic: Ford Motor Co.

It won’t surprise you to learn the study revealed that technologies that improved driving safety found consistent favour, but some think some advancements could make drivers too reliant on them.

Of the seven technologies described above, here’s what our more mature driver population would most like to have on their cars:

1: Blind-spot warning systems.
2: Reverse back-up cameras.
3: Smart headlights.
4: Collision avoidance systems.
5: Lane departure warnings.

“In this study, we wanted to understand mature drivers’ willingness to adopt vehicle technologies,” said Jodi Olshevski, gerontologist and executive director of the Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence. “These are becoming more available in new cars today, so it’s important that all drivers learn how they work and how to use them effectively. This is especially true for mature drivers, as many technologies can enhance the driving experience as we age.”

Purchase and Use
Ninety-six percent of study participants reported they would be willing to buy a car with at least one of the seven features covered in the study; nearly 10 percent indicated they’d be willing to buy all seven.

Graphic: Business Wire

A majority of respondents also said they’d be quite likely to use the five features listed above if they had them. And most thought each of the seven total technologies covered in the study were worth having. Collision avoidance and blind-spot warning were most likely seen as worth having at any price than the other technologies in the study.

“Drivers who are experienced with technology in general, trust it, and see themselves as able to learn how to use it are more receptive to adopting vehicle technologies,” noted Joseph F. Coughlin, Director of the MIT AgeLab. “These tech-savvy drivers feel more positively about vehicle technologies overall and are more likely to recommend that a family member or friend purchase a car with new technologies.”

The study disclosed that mature drivers believe the primary benefit of many vehicle tech features is to improve safety for the driver. Participants said that back-up camera (78%), blind-spot warning (77%), collision avoidance (68%), lane departure (64%), and smart headlight (63%) systems were most connected to safety. Yet some mature drivers worried that other new aids, including park assistance (42%) and adaptive cruise control (25%), might make drivers too reliant on the technologies themselves.

As for self-driving cars, more expressed interest in “test driving” a driverless car than in buying one. Almost three-quarters (70%) admitted they’d test-drive an autonomous car, compared to only 31% who would buy one – even if it were the same price as a “regular” car. If a self-driving car and a regular car were the same price, more participants would opt for the “regular” (39%) than the self-driving car (31%).

To help mature drivers learn more about vehicle technologies, The Hartford developed a free guidebook and an interactive video quiz. These are available at thehartford.com/cartech.

Top Picks for 2016

Are these cars right for you?
We steer you to the best models in 9 categories

By Bill McLauchlan

It’s all too easy to spin our wheels in an effort to sort out the myriad models in today’s dealer showrooms. Some highly touted cars don’t measure up to expectations . . . and the best choice might not even be on your shopping list. An added factor is we tend to keep our cars longer these days, so choosing the right one is more important than ever.

Our reasons for buying are just as complex. Is your next new car driven by the needs of a growing family? Or perhaps it’s a luxury or sporty model as a reward for years of hard work and career success? Maybe even a nod to your new downsized empty-nest lifestyle? Or it could be your last new-car purchase in recognition of advancing years and the need for comfortable, affordable and reliable transportation. Whatever the reason it’s nice to know which car might be the best for you, depending on your needs.

To help steer you straight, here are nine “Best New” category winners, in the 2016 Canadian Car of the Year Awards, as revealed today by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada, better known as AJAC. Make no mistake, these are no the idle choices of a handful of opinionated auto writers.

More than 70 auto journalists from across the country recently met to drive all category entries on a four-day series of test drive routes, back-to-back, on the same day, and under the same conditions to ensure fair and objective comparisons. This process generated 1,911 test drives, producing over 110,000 data points and 1701 category ballots to weed out the winners from the wannabes.

It’s interesting to note that of the 27 nominated finalists in the nine categories only eight carried a domestic brand name: General Motors fielded the Chevrolet Volt and Silverado, GMC Canyon diesel pickup, and Cadillac’s ATS-V and CTS-V; Ford was represented by Lincoln’s MKX and the Shelby GT350 version of its popular Mustang; Chrysler-Fiat ‘s only representative came from Jeep with its new Renegade.

Topping the list with three nominated finalists apiece were Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Honda. Hyundai, Mazda and Toyota each could claim two nominees in their respective categories, while Kia, MINI, Porsche and Volvo rounded out the roster with one finalist apiece.

The nine voted “Best New” winners cover the new-model spectrum, including: Small Car, Sports/Performance and SUV/CUV. Most of these categories are further split into price ranges to better provide fair and relevant comparisons.
So, without further ado, here are your “Best New” gold medalists for 2016.

Photo: Honda Canada

Best New Small Car: Honda Civic Sedan
The best-selling car in Canada for much of the past two decades, and this all-new tenth-generation version should be just as successful. It’s got fresh, clean lines, more leg and shoulder room and arguably the roomiest rear seat and trunk space in its class. The 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine is more powerful and refined, making it an ideal combination of practical, economical and comfortable family car, sporty handler, quiet highway runner.

The Civic beat out Toyota’s new Yaris sedan and Volkswagen’s Jetta 1.4TSI, the other finalists in the Small Car group.

Photo: Volkswagen Canada

Best New Family Car: Volkswagen Golf Sportwagon 1.8TSI
Given all the recent negative publicity at being caught fudging emissions software in its diesel-powered models, Volkswagen must be pretty pleased that the Golf Sportwagon took the Family Car crown over its Chevy Volt and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid category finalists. Still, the Sportwagon could be a tough sell in a market segment dominated by red hot small SUV sales. In its favour, it costs a lot less than both the Sonata and Volt. Handsome styling, huge cargo space, nimble steering and handling, durable cloth seating, a well-organized dash/console and top-class build quality add to its obvious value appeal.

Photo: Volkswagen

Best New Sports/Performance (under $50k):
Volkswagen Golf R
Somewhat surprisingly the Golf R came out on top in this category. Up against Mazda’s very well-received MX-5 Roadster and the MINI John Cooper Works 3-door finalists, the Golf R may not look much different than its garden-variety siblings but light up the 292 horsepower 2.0-litre turbo engine and let the fun begin. All-wheel drive, disc brakes, sport suspension and a slick 6-speed manual help it stick, stop and go like nobody’s business. And, as if that wasn’t enough, it’s a good-looking, roomy little hatch that can do double-duty as family transport when needed.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada

Best New Sports/Performance (over $50k): Mercedes-AMG C63 S
If your budget allows for a more upscale sporty indulgence the AJAC judges opted for the sensuous and powerful Mercedes-AMG C63 S 4-door coupe ahead of Cadillac’s ATS-V and the Ford Shelby GT350. Where the latter is loud, brash and boldly broad-shouldered the tightly-wrapped C63 S is a delight to the eyes and pure pleasure to drive, thanks to its lithe lines, handling finesse and muscular 503-horsepower V8 engine. It’ll set you back about $20,000 more than the Shelby or the Caddy but the Mercedes-AMG C63’s combination of luxury, safety, performance and electronic driver aids makes it a hard package to beat.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada

Elsewhere, in Best New Prestige/Performance the Mercedes-AMG GT S coupe came out the winner, ahead of the Cadillac CTS-V and Porsche’s delectable new Cayman GT4. The latter would have got my vote if that were possible.

Best New SUV/CUV (under $35k) went to Mazda’s delightful new CX-3. Its handsome looks, contemporary interior and desirable technical features are worth having. Not so much is the inadequate ground clearance, tight rear seat room and

Photo: Mazda Canada

skimpy cargo space, some of the latter drawbacks due no doubt to the CX-3’s reliance on the subcompact Mazda2 platform. Even so, the CX-3 polled enough favourable votes to win come out ahead of the Honda HR-V and Jeep’s Renegade.

In the Best New SUV/CUV ($35k - $60k) category the Kia Sorento was victorious in a class crowded with contenders. It topped fellow finalists, the Honda Pilot and Hyundai Tucson, while the Ford Edge, BMW X1 and Lexus NX200t F Sport (whew, what a mouthful!) didn’t quite make the final cut. As with many other Kia

Photo: Kia Canada

offerings, the Sorento mix of content level, smooth and quiet ride, 7-seat capacity, leather upholstery, and smooth 290 horsepower, 3.3-litre V6 is a tough package to beat and deserves a close look if you’re in the market for a value-packed mid-level SUV.

Photo: Volvo

© General Motors

At the upper end of the scale, Volvo’s attractive new XC90 took top honours in the Best New SUV/CUV (over $60k) segment, succeeding in a tough tussle with two other finalists in Lincoln’s handsome MKX and the somewhat long-winded Mercedes-Benz GLE 350d 4MATIC Coupe. On- or off-road its capable, cathedral quiet and composed in any road conditions you’re likely to encounter. With a 2.0-litre in-line 4-cylinder engine mated with an 8-speed automatic it’ll get you where you need to be with efficiency, style and a sumptuous interior highlighted by acres of Scandinavian wood grain interior trim.

Last, but not least, GM’s sole overall winner came in the Best New Pickup category where the hulking Chevrolet
 Silverado shouldered aside its GMC Canyon diesel-powered corporate cousin and the capable Toyota Tacoma 4x4 Double Cab.

Each of the category winners will now compete for the overall Canadian Car of the Year and Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year trophies, which will be announced at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto next February.

Rear Camera Mirror Turns Heads

High-res video streaming removes obstructions
like passengers, head rests, roof and rear pillars

By Bill McLauchlan

Sometimes drivers of a certain age may be excused for wishing they had eyes in the back of their head. Advancing age and its associated aches and pains, reduced flexibility and stiffening joints can make it a pain to perform routine tasks such as shoulder checks or torso twists to ensure all’s clear before reversing down the driveway or out of a mall parking spot.

Well, help is here and it looks good. The only drawback is that, at present, only one car maker offers it . . . and availability might be beyond some car buying budgets.

Cadillac’s Rear Camera Mirror has just been named a 2015 Popular Science “Best of What’s New” award winner. The annual awards cover the magazine’s choices of the year’s top 100 technology innovations and appear in the December issue.

© General Motors

“The awards honour innovations that surprise and amaze us – those that challenge our view of what’s possible in the future,” said Cliff Ransom, editor-in-chief of Popular Science. “The award is Popular Science’s top prize, and the 100 winners – chosen from among thousands of nominees – are each a revolution in their respective fields.”

The Rear Camera Mirror will be available on Cadillac’s upcoming 2016 CT6 sedan (below) and 2017 XT5 crossover models.

© General Motors

The streaming video mirror improves field of vision by an estimated 300 percent, or roughly four times greater than a standard rearview mirror. The high-resolution streaming video function will remove obstructions of passengers, headrests and the vehicle’s roof and rear pillars.

There’s more good news for aging eyes and drivers who dislike driving at night. Thanks to a high dynamic range, the camera’s video feed reduces glare and allows a crisper image in low-light situations versus a traditional glass electrochromatic, or auto-dimming, rearview mirror.

The in-mirror display is an industry-leading 1280 by 240-pixel TFT-LCD display with 171 pixels per inch, combined with a high-definition camera designed specifically to enhance rear view lane width and maximize low-light situations.
A water-shedding hydrophobic coating is applied to the camera to keep it clean and able to maintain visibility regardless of driving conditions.