Questions about the CX-5 Navigation System (how bad can it be?)

[CX-5__]

Hello folks, (first of all, sorry if I am bugging you with this thread, I know the GPS system has been discussed 10000000 times, but want to get some updated answers)

I am almost pulling the trigger for a 2014 CX-5.

So I have been reading about the TomTom navigation that comes with the car, mainly I see the issues are mostly in the audio system, not the navigation.

Just three questions:

1) I park my cars in a parking garage that is three floors below ground, can I input the address in the system before it connects to the satellite? I have Garmin and TomTom portable systems that allow you enter your destination address even when you don't have a satellite connection, they connect as soon as you get out of the garage. It would suck if the CX-5 does not allow you to enter the address and start navigation before the connection to the satellite. I would have to park somewhere on the street after connection happens and input the address

2) Is it true that you cannot change the destination address of the GPS when you are driving? Can you at least cancel it? I don't think I would not buy the car because of this problem, but would be good to know since sometimes when I stop in a traffic light, I do change to a different destination. It is not ideal to have to pull over somewhere just to input a new address.

3) I use GPS pretty frequently, but just very basic usage, my TomTom portable GPS is perfect, how bad can the TomTom in the CX-5 be? After all, Garmin and TomTom are the top GPS companies.

Many thanks for your great help.

Cheers and a happy new year!

 

[tobeychris]

1) Yes.
2) False. While you cannot type in an address, you can select to navigate to recent destinations, saved favourite destinations, and Points of Interest. You can also cancel the route or calculate an alternative (though this does not have many options) while moving.
3) I do not find the GPS to be that bad. The main issues I have are that it disables most features while moving (so even a passenger can't input an address), and that the map updates are not free for the lifetime of the product as most stand-alone GPS units now are, especially given it's cost.

One note if you're looking to get a 2014 CX-5 soon, the 2014 was released around the end of January last year. Maybe the 2015 will be released at the same time.

 

[CX-5__]

Thanks tobeychris for the quick reply! Sounds good, not a deal breaker for me at all. There is no perfect car, but I think CX-5 have so many great things to offer and for me is on the top of the list.

I am in need of a car very soon, so I cannot wait for the new one and probably will be a bit more expensive at first, but thanks for the info.

 

[stromdriver]

Hello folks, (first of all, sorry if I am bugging you with this thread, I know the GPS system has been discussed 10000000 times, but want to get some updated answers)

I am almost pulling the trigger for a 2014 CX-5.

So I have been reading about the TomTom navigation that comes with the car, mainly I see the issues are mostly in the audio system, not the navigation.

Just three questions:

1) I park my cars in a parking garage that is three floors below ground, can I input the address in the system before it connects to the satellite? I have Garmin and TomTom portable systems that allow you enter your destination address even when you don't have a satellite connection, they connect as soon as you get out of the garage. It would suck if the CX-5 does not allow you to enter the address and start navigation before the connection to the satellite. I would have to park somewhere on the street after connection happens and input the address

yes you can enter destination without gps signal

2) Is it true that you cannot change the destination address of the GPS when you are driving? Can you at least cancel it? I don't think I would not buy the car because of this problem, but would be good to know since sometimes when I stop in a traffic light, I do change to a different destination. It is not ideal to have to pull over somewhere just to input a new address.

you can't "change" the destination but you can cancel the route and start a new one using voice commands (how well that works is a different story)

3) I use GPS pretty frequently, but just very basic usage, my TomTom portable GPS is perfect, how bad can the TomTom in the CX-5 be? After all, Garmin and TomTom are the top GPS companies.

i suppose its subjective, i'm a tech guy, an android user, so i like having more granular control and capabilities therefore the tomtom is somewhat restricted and 'dumbed down'

that being said, the nav system in my wifes new 14 outlander, while having more control and features, isn't much better to use, the voice control works slightly better but you can't do some basic functions at all (like driving to an address)

 

[danieljw]

i suppose its subjective, i'm a tech guy, an android user, so i like having more granular control and capabilities therefore the tomtom is somewhat restricted and 'dumbed down'

that being said, the nav system in my wifes new 14 outlander, while having more control and features, isn't much better to use, the voice control works slightly better but you can't do some basic functions at all (like driving to an address)

I'm really tempted to try out an AppRadio3 with the Appradio Unchained Android app in the CX-5.

 

[dougal]

I have also been told that you can upgrade the navigation system at any time. That is, if you don't get the tech package but decide at a later time you want the Nav system, it can be installed for ~500 USD.

 

[tobeychris]

You can upgrade at any time, but the GT Technology Packages comes with it built in (at least in Canada).

 

[chinq6t]

That's something you need to consider. GT come with it built in and that's what I think you're looking into? It sounds like the GPS is very important to you. For what it's worth, I own a 2014 CX5 GT and though I'm not impressed with the TomTom GPS feature, it gets the job done. When it's convenient and appropriate I mush rather utilize my phone's GPS for Google Maps because it's faster, more adaptive, and an overall better interface. I can also scroll around the map to see where I need to go and review traffic conditions. But that's an entirely different story.

But you said you use it for basic purposes, which I assume we all do. So it may be just fine.

An apples to oranges comparison, my parent's 2010 Mercedes E350 coupe has a built in GPS by MB and I find it to be much better in terms of interface and ergonomics (by using the knob on armrest). The CX5 TomTom is touch screen but it often tests my patience with its responsiveness and accuracy.

 

[chinq6t]

That's something you need to consider. GTs come with the GPS built in and that's what I think you're looking into? It sounds like the GPS is very important to you. For what it's worth, I own a 2014 CX5 GT and though I'm not impressed with the TomTom GPS feature, it gets the job done. When it's convenient and appropriate I mush rather utilize my phone's GPS for Google Maps because it's faster, more adaptive, and an overall better interface. I can also scroll around the map to see where I need to go and review traffic conditions. But that's an entirely different story.

But you said you use it for basic purposes, which I assume we all do. So it may be just fine.

An apples to oranges comparison, my parent's 2010 Mercedes E350 coupe has a built in GPS by MB and I find it to be much better in terms of interface and ergonomics (by using the knob on armrest). The CX5 TomTom is touch screen but it often tests my patience with its responsiveness and accuracy. What I'm trying to get at is I like map manipulation, and if you're okay with the TomTom guiding you without much user input and question, then it's all good.