Having reviewed many vehicles in my day, I can tell you unequivocally that not all satellite navigation systems are created equal. Just checking the sat nav box on the options sheet doesn't guarantee you'll be getting a system that's easy to use and will get you where you want to go. Those who know me will tell you that I've often sung the praises of Ford's sat nav systems, specifically the ones found in Lincoln models. My first experience with these factory-installed Pioneer units came from a review of the Lincoln LS I did back in the day, and I was happy to find an equally agreeable sat nav in the Lincoln Zephyr we tested back in March. So permit me to feel vindicated when I inform you that J.D. Power and Associates has just released its 2006 Navigation Usage and Satisfaction Study in which the Lincoln Zephyr's navigation system received the highest rankign. J.D. rates these factory installed nav systems in six areas that include (in order of importance) ease of use, routing, system appearance, speed of system, voice directions and navigation display screen. The Zephyr's Pioneer unit did particularly well in the those first three areas that are weighted the most. One feature of the system with which I became particularly infatuated was its ability to leave a trail of electronic breadcrumbs on the screen's map showing you where you've driven. And in case you're wondering, the same unit is also available in the 2007 MKZ. [Source: J.D. Power and Associates]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
TD500 @ Nov 14th 2006 2:51PM
Wait a minute, this is based on customer satisfaction, not actual testing. My MDX has a great system, but the Ridgeline and Pilot rated much higher--even though its the exact same unit. Why? Maybe those buyers were a lot easier to please. Although Ford/Lincoln and Honda/Acura take most of the top 15 spots, some of the same units rate much lower on the list--more a case of the owner's expectations, not the unit's abilities.
DJ @ Nov 14th 2006 3:06PM
I see that the Alpine Nav in my Pacifica finishes almost last, and rightly so, whereas the Alpine units in most Honda/Acura models are near the top.
Anyone considering the factory Nav in a Pacifica....DON'T DO IT!!! Buy a Tom-Tom, Garmin or other add-on. Th factory unit for the Pac is a total POS!
DJ @ Nov 14th 2006 3:06PM
I'm so happy to see the total POS Alpine unit in my Pacifica finished near the bottom, where it belongs...
BTW, the unit in my wife's Jaguar XJ, which is identical to the Zephyr unit, isn't even on the list. We love it and it's been highly rated by nearly every automobile publication.
RayRay @ Nov 14th 2006 3:20PM
Save your money, buy a map.
Eugene @ Nov 14th 2006 3:21PM
My acura TSX navi is #2 - i always thought it was #1 :(
Makes me want to go down to my Lincoln Dealer and check out their unit
Ryan @ Nov 14th 2006 3:24PM
Hi, the 1980's called, they want their silver "beta player" styled buttons back!
Shawn @ Nov 14th 2006 3:50PM
...What is a "Beta player" from the 1980s?
Ryan @ Nov 14th 2006 3:57PM
"7. ...What is a "Beta player" from the 1980s?"
Take a look, It totally a Lincoln button setup
http://cgi.ebay.com/SONY-SL-30-Betamax-Beta-VCR-refurbished-remote-manual_W0QQitemZ190049372493QQihZ009QQcategoryZ39830QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
robotrock @ Nov 14th 2006 4:16PM
I love my mini but the fucking navigation is infuriating at best.
RaslDasl @ Nov 14th 2006 4:42PM
I can't compare it with any other but I think the NAV in my Pacifica is great. The only shortcomings are in the database of points of interest (and the $200 it costs to get an updated DVD).
Michael Karesh @ Nov 14th 2006 6:07PM
#10: It costs about $200 a year to keep any of them up-to--date, from what I hear. But there's also a strong secondary market for the old CD/DVDs on eBay, for people who can get by with nearly new maps. I've often wondered what percentage of nav owners buy the updates.
#1: same thing I noticed, that identical systems get different scores in different models. In my mind, this is something best evaluated by a group of experts, or at least a group of consumers, who can compare all of the systems.
steven @ Nov 14th 2006 6:26PM
Rated better than Honda/Acura navi..... YEAH right my ass!
Jason @ Nov 14th 2006 6:46PM
I agree with #5, I thought my TSX had the best nav on the market. Even if the Zephyr is better you still have to live with that awful interior. Now why the other Acuras rate so low is curious as they all have the same system and similar layouts.
Jake @ Nov 14th 2006 7:04PM
Yeah right, that awful AWARD-WINNING interior! If you can't respect the fact that Ford has had some award-winning models lately, then you have to deny the value of those awards when Honda/Toyota/etc. win them too.
Ryan @ Nov 14th 2006 7:51PM
"If you can't respect the fact that Ford has had some award-winning models lately, then you have to deny the value of those awards when Honda/Toyota/etc. win them too."
-If Mazda did not exist would these Ford cars exist?
j-dawg @ Nov 14th 2006 7:59PM
Ryan,
If you have trouble admitting that a domestic manufacturer can make a better car than a foreign company, maybe you should hop on a time machine back to 1996, when it was true.
Otherwise, there's no reason to be bashing Ford for its quantum leaps in quality and customer satisfaction as of late. The simple fact is that Ford's products (if not its stock value) are improving so quickly they're already beginning to trounce the competition. Whether that is due to Mazda (and Volvo) or not is irrelevant, unless you're trying to start an import-vs-domestic war.
YeeDiddy @ Nov 14th 2006 8:57PM
This is a ridiculous study. Most of the vehicles here share their Nav system with multiple cars within their manufacturer but they all get different scores. THEY'RE THE SAME SYSTEM.
I dare anyone to spend time with the Pioneer in the Lincoln and the Alpine in any of the Hondas and come to the same conclusion that JD Powers' survey did.
nipponboi @ Nov 14th 2006 9:00PM
Ryans right and you dumb americans cant even get a car to work right and now you trying fancy electronics. Toyota should have won this award and if the award was chosen by anyone other than americans or that john neff guy toyota would have won (with honda in second place followed by mazda, nissan, mitsubishi, suzuki... even Isuzu and the koreans make better map system).
zeros go home @ Nov 14th 2006 9:41PM
nipponboi - do you live in America? If you think we are so dumb then kindly leave. Japanese are pretty clever...what with vending machines dispensing used panties and all. Lets not forget that the Japanese rarely invent anything - they are mostly credited with improving on established technology. Take care.
Adam ARnstein @ Nov 14th 2006 9:58PM
Too bad its also the UGLIEST Nav in the biz