Vehicles: Page
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Ford Explorer Wins ‘Best in Show’ Among 10 Best UX Winners
All 10 winning vehicles were on display at the conference and power inverters allowed conference attendees to climb behind the wheel, navigate the touchscreen, experience the high-resolution graphics and toggle through menus.
By Tom Murphy • Oct. 8, 2019 -
German Automakers Leading Way to 48V Electrification
Of the 48V hybrid sales forecast globally for 2019, Europe accounts for 33%. That penetration will rise to 47% in 2024, according to a new Wards Intelligence report, “Power Shift: 48V Takes Hold.”
Oct. 7, 2019 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Toyota Motor North America
TrendlineTop 5 stories from WardsAuto
Automakers are evaluating their long-term strategies, revisiting their product mix, and approach to both retail and manufacturing approach along the way.
By WardsAuto staff -
In Search of Combustion’s Next Wankel-Like ‘Better Idea’
Hundreds of oddball engine ideas have been proposed, at least two of which might yet grab a Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems Award.
By Frank Markus • Oct. 4, 2019 -
Volvo: Be Prepared for How People Want to Sit in AVs
Automakers working on autonomous vehicles are facing a paradigm shift allowing passengers to do what they want in the cabin while remaining safe, even when reclining.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Oct. 3, 2019 -
Tomorrow’s Vehicles May Lose the Buttons and Knobs
“Virtually every knob can be replaced,” says Mike Maddelein, vice president-engineering at auto supplier Inteva.
By Steven Finlay • Oct. 3, 2019 -
Convertible Follows Up History-Making Mid-Engine Corvette Coupe
GM says the convertible Stingray will cost $7,000 more than the coupe, which shocked enthusiasts when its base price of less than $60,000 was announced at its historic unveiling in July.
By James M. Amend • Oct. 2, 2019 -
Hyundai, Cummins to Team on Electric, Fuel-Cell Powertrains
Initial development will focus on the North American commercial-vehicle market, including working with North American OEMs on the integration of these systems into their vehicles.
By Jim Irwin • Oct. 2, 2019 -
Elevating User Experience Key to Growth for Connectivity, Mobility
Connected-services usage could grow if access and activation were made simpler, say panelists at WardsAuto UX conference.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Oct. 2, 2019 -
UX Innovations Around the Next Corner
Concepts such as 3D imaging and touch-sensitive interior surfaces are on the leading edge of UX ideas that seek to assist drivers and enhance comfort.
By Bob Gritzinger • Oct. 2, 2019 -
In-Cabin Monitoring Critical Piece of Autonomous-Vehicle Puzzle
Knowing precisely where occupants are and what they are doing will be as critical to automated driving’s future as to whether the vehicle can safely negotiate its way down the highway or around the block.
By David Zoia • Oct. 1, 2019 -
Alexa Auto Just Getting Started, Amazon Exec Says
“As we say at Amazon, it remains Day One,” says Arianna Walker, chief evangelist at Alexa Automotive. “We will continue to innovate.”
By James M. Amend • Oct. 1, 2019 -
VW’s Arteon Sedan Gets Its Arty On
The Arteon’s excellent user experience seals the deal with delightful artistic flourishes, a well-organized touchscreen, brilliant Digital Cockpit gauge cluster, dependable stop-and-go ACC and a polite reminder not to leave your smartphone in the car.
By Tom Murphy • Oct. 1, 2019 -
2020 GMC Sierra Denali 2500HD High-Tech Bruiser
The Sierra HD drive also provided the opportunity to test GM’s all new Duramax 3.0L turbodiesel I-6 available in the ’20 Sierra and Chevy Silverado light-duty pickups.
By James M. Amend • Oct. 1, 2019 -
Subaru Outback’s UX Is Out of Sight
Plenty of delights come with this Wards 10 Best UX winner, but EyeSight Driver Assist Technology stands out on the safety front.
By Steven Finlay • Sept. 30, 2019 -
User Experience Must be Part of Product Development
Some automakers have poured millions into alternatives to the buying experience, but I have yet to hear anyone managing UX as if it were an integral part of product development.
By Steve Tengler • Sept. 30, 2019 -
Car Dealership Group Goes on Data-Cleaning Spree
During its purification project, Cardinale found a high percentage of outdated, incomplete or mismatched information.
By Steven Finlay • Sept. 27, 2019 -
Range Rover Evoque Seductive User Experience
The Evoque enchanted judges with items such as its unique greeting and startup sequence, Touch Pro Duo, dual high-definition 10-in. (25.4-cm) touchscreens and environmentally friendly materials.
By James M. Amend • Sept. 27, 2019 -
Engineering Specialist EDAG Celebrates 25th Anniversary in U.S., Looks to Future
German engineering firm EDAG is evolving to serve the changing needs of the automotive industry as it strives to develop electrified and autonomous vehicles.
By Bob Gritzinger • Sept. 27, 2019 -
Mercedes Democratizes UX Tech with A220
Navigation enhanced with augmented reality, conversational speech recognition improved by artificial intelligence and eye-popping display graphics are all part of the new Mercedes MBUX multimedia system.
By Drew Winter • Sept. 26, 2019 -
How Occupant Sensing Technology Can Help Eliminate Distracted Driving
Until fully autonomous driving truly arrives, drivers still will need to tune out distractions and focus on the road.
By Mike Godwin • Sept. 25, 2019 -
2020 Lexus RX 350 Takes Giant UX Leap
Attention to UX detail gives the ’20 Lexus RX 350 all the right tools to protect, assist and amaze, from an all-new high-resolution touchscreen and spot-on natural-voice recognition to impressively capable driver-assistance functions.
By Bob Gritzinger • Sept. 25, 2019 -
Hyundai Palisade Connects on Multiple Levels
Hyundai’s new three-row midsize SUV has a winning combination of easy to use technology, cutting-edge convenience features and ample available driver assists.
By Doug Newcomb • Sept. 24, 2019 -
New Explorer a UX Feast for the 21st Century
The redesigned Ford SUV gets high marks from our judges for its strong surprise-and-delight elements, including its advanced displays and graphics. It also has easy-to-understand menus and easy-to-use navigation.
By Christie Schweinsberg • Sept. 23, 2019 -
Ford Mustang’s New EcoBoost Cements Era of 4-Cyl. Muscle Car
Acceleration with the new EcoBoost engine is linear, and it feels much more stout than the base 310-hp 2.3L, which tends to run out of breath at high rpm. On paper, these two engines are separated by 22 hp, but it feels like so much more.
By Tom Murphy • Sept. 20, 2019 -
Chevy Blazer One Hot User Experience
Not only does the Blazer take natural speech exceptionally well, it also has the capability to uniquely bounce seamlessly between embedded and cloud-based navigation.
By James M. Amend • Sept. 20, 2019