Consumer Reports' Luddites strike again

I am a technological wizard.

At least that's the conclusion to which I've come after reading the January issue of Consumer Reports, which calls Cadillac CUE, the automaker's new infotainment system, “maddening.” After all, I had figured out CUE in a matter of minutes while acclimating myself to our Best of the Best ATS sedan last month.

CUE, short for Cadillac User Experience, uses a touch-sensitive screen, capacitive switches and tactile, vibrating feedback to help drivers perform various functions. It's intuitive for anyone who's ever used a modern tablet or smartphone, and while I still prefer a knob-based system such as MMI in the car, CUE is markedly more intuitive than is, say, MyFord Touch.

You remember MyFord Touch, right? It's another system I've never found particularly difficult to use, but Consumer Reports calls it, “a complicated distraction while driving.” I say both CUE and MyFord Touch are vastly preferable to using a handheld smartphone to dial up music and contacts while driving . . . something more folks are doing every day.

I'm of the belief that eliminating all phone use while driving is the only way to truly eliminate phone-related distractions. But, I'm realistic enough to know that's never going to happen. Without a trace of self-awareness, the same issue of Consumer Reports that pans CUE devotes 12 pages to rating smartphones without ever suggesting a solution for safe use behind the wheel.

Every in-car infotainment technology we've tried has been flawed in one way or another, but we applaud the fact that automakers are desperately trying to perfect a system that allows us to safely have our digital cake and eat it too.

Taking a few minutes to learn the ins and outs of a particular system goes a long way toward understanding it. But again, Consumer Reports disagrees: Editors criticize Cadillac for providing XTS owners an iPad containing a CUE tutorial, questioning “whether any car should be so complicated that such a primer is necessary.”

Last time I checked, the XTS (and pretty much every other vehicle I've driven) came with an owner's manual; does that too damn it in the eyes of Consumer Reports? After all, if you need to read instructions to use something, it must be far too complicated for the average user.

If, however, you're above average—like me and everyone in our office, apparently—spend five minutes with CUE. And MyLincoln Touch, Audi MMI and Lexus Enform, for that matter. Go through the tutorials. While not perfect, we think you'll find the current crop of in-vehicle control systems offer intuitive, thoughtful solutions to our modern communications conundrum.

By Andrew Stoy