CNET Roadside Assistance 016: A hot compact sedan and a grocery getter to boot

This is episode sixteen of CNET roadside assistance I'm Antuan Goodwin alongside Wayne Cunningham. I'm frankly -- not here roadside assistance is the show where we take effect in two look at your question. They were gonna be helping somebody under new -- back in we're gonna see that -- of the highest tech -- -- always the best tech. And means you'll actually get around to that relinquish the risk of cancer last week. But then maybe we will -- frankly I was here a moment isn't the sort hectic lives that day he took I think -- I think you've got the answer that question in his jacket that it. He's walking around when it. -- get around to it. -- the first question comes in from G. From the Internet. He says he recently purchased a 2000 film -- recently a -- the 2007. A month the -- six when it first came out. As reason for purchase at the time was primarily because of the WRXs and -- meet the beastie egos had horrible and -- years. At a time I felt the speed six had a much better interior quality and design. But it looks like times have changed the women for years and cars aren't there and feel dated and turns of the interior. Doesn't have Bluetooth iPod integration and it doesn't even have an auxiliary input so four years later -- looking for new car. I want something that has for the same formula. That -- -- six possessed back in 2007 that value fuel economy performance and -- quality in exterior appeal. I looked at the Sonata two -- -- T think that may be a good vehicle he also says that all wheel drive isn't exactly a requirement. But -- cap is somewhere between 27 and 30000 dollars. The speed six is an interest in that car Mazda. I mean the movement you know mother does these sporty versions of their cars -- Mazda speed three does really well right to really funnel sports guys six -- -- not the best idea. Yeah we will burn those six the -- the six itself was kind of undersized for its class so now even that even though the current Mazda six pack competes directly against the likes of the coarsely camera in the court in -- huge. The -- seven. A Mazda six in -- the -- six were actually really small for their class and you know the they it was about the same size as Adobe -- exit evo would be now. What engine was in the miles at speeds as an excellent -- it's 2.3 liter turbocharged engine and it connected to an six speed automatic and manual transmission. All wheel drive on demand with that. Limited slip differential in the back. So -- good performance. Well the Sonata 2.0 -- is is an interest -- -- that probably has more power than the speeds -- so when -- surprised. Even though it's only two point is direct injection and Turbo and a modern Turbo well. -- Turbo -- I would be surprised if it has a little more horses than the miles at speeds six maybe not. But it's a good choice I think -- -- as far as a nice interior and a modern car. But -- it's not really as hard core. It brought to them suspension tuning is smart must display six -- -- the weird thing is I think in that price range and heavier it is still probably your in my opinion. At least. I think. And -- it heavier it's around thirty rate. Yeah I think I think it does come in that just under. -- regionally under right and it ended the current WRX. -- and in the -- became a sedan and in the weird like that back hats. But the current of -- effects even have more space -- month dispute that did not Sheridan -- it does. Another kayaks. In -- super front -- the legacy. Subaru Legacy because it is he's talking about sort of a nice sedan. Legacy is is that all wheel drive. Maybe not it's got some -- characteristics. And actually get into a shouting match with reminders and the legacy and I maintain its not a -- are keeping that it is that you know anything rock art. But does have that. If you get the right they give -- the right options and -- the sharp. Drive -- there's the buttons and there we can actually change the driving dynamics and they go from analytical sharper something like that program -- seat of a tutor live. Or generation of those 309 -- -- GT. It does have really good or power and I think even the courage and recently CG he won't add even -- again a bigger -- Right and you can actually get the you get legacy with -- three point six. Six cylinder engines. You know a little more power their little more you empower boxer sixth. It's -- -- exactly yet and data. -- that there might be an option. All wheel drive standard. Yet. NFL -- yet legacy if you want a really big car and a -- -- coming about the same size. Yet the yet if you're if you're upgrading and -- Blake seemed if you want I think if you want from the same size consider also the lyrics it'll definitely be. Less expensive a thank. And you -- really find more aftermarket performance parts for the W yet. So if you really wanna do crazy stuff to your -- like lower it down and I'm gonna put the money on and gene that being that. Third of it's a delicate evenly about a month disputes that -- -- -- my defeats at the -- dot. And if it weren't around that you begin to rid of it after just four years that he's got like 2000 dollars and -- on that's. And it down high heat and cold air -- you -- a disk or -- -- -- started the ask a by the audience wants them good stock performance as a community -- around have a good time with without. You know not -- small. You know warnings or voiding your warranty but it's funny -- that midsize sedan category. There really many sport oriented vehicles meddling when I can the only other -- -- can really think it was the goal line to. Over -- -- -- -- well that would of the VR four bit and make that -- -- It's gone. But they had the but it would is that monitor -- -- rally -- rally that really are -- Canada glorified. Rim entire package at at. Date and that's not gonna be a nice interior -- the -- on his. Math -- -- -- under powered car that. -- -- yet camera media corps that if you look it's already sitting and -- outside of things like. You know -- big super ruse in that in that sort of area. The yet to come to step up the beam them to elect the three series a sporty Ehrlich -- up -- -- to. I guess if you -- the Jetta G ally. You can consider that one area -- actually not a bad -- and forget them pretty good performance. Yet. And I think but I don't I haven't driven the newest newest July. But that the previous generation Zealand actually just stopped. Was a really good car I think Abington it's a little -- -- for -- you get. But it definitely does have -- -- interiors and -- -- performance. Yet the decimal smaller maybe that's -- thousands of miles -- -- to be about quote the size but he. In the Jenin is currently in the US that -- -- smalls. Are. Another question notices from Marten in Texas and other which -- should -- -- question. Martin is that saying he is actually his wife is one in the new hatchback for around town aaron's. Nothing too large -- gets mileage using a hybrid power train along with low maintenance well -- -- -- because low maintenance these days new ones anyway. Price is not an issue says it can afford anything. I select -- to the Mazda three and Honda Fit but neither those hybrids. -- he was thinking killing one's two birds one stone by getting a hatchback hybrid. These -- about the choices he says. -- was looking -- -- -- Lexus CT 200 H. But it doesn't seem to get regular reviews. And looks like an upscale Prius that doesn't live up to the Lexus Bryant. What which do you recommend Korea hybrid hatchback. Or his wife. They iPad he did skip that line if it prices know -- know you can view. Though Tennessee Tesla model that's. That it doesn't weigh in a year and -- have to admit that. At that weird sort of expect -- an unlimited net but in the seriousness. Would we have in the -- the hybrid. Lansky used at the Prius when the Prius is the is the need the quintessential hatchback hybrid them. I mean it's the it's -- hatchback commutes. Will do all your around town -- and fifty miles per gallon you're not gonna we're gonna scoff at that. I'd pick it up and of the driving character at least as far as I'm concerned. Now pre is V is another way to go up you need a little more space that's the new web bigger Prius coming out to. Later this year in the fall actually have want to wait a little bit. Get a little more room more accessible cargo area actually they say 50% more cargo area in the -- is beavers is the standard Prius so. Not bad and -- the miles per gallon around. Right. Honda's on -- insight and in there and that's out there not gonna match the Prius on fuel economy. But it. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- expect the amateur. And I think the CT two candidates is. It's a pretty good choice to have and actually like the looks of that car he and I like the hatchback functionality. I do we just got that parents and this is why I'm -- -- noodling about it is them. The build quality in the interior and seen some issues there. Well it looks. Coolly put the picture and of that twit page in new thing -- -- that if third of that. Instrument cluster management reports with the offender -- but of lance back in definitive very ergonomic and I looked at an -- -- -- it looks like 1990s Lexus is a weird little. Green. LCD display just below are that you -- the regular -- -- but like everything kind of below the -- -- the dashboard this looks real. Plastic -- in ninety's and I almost expect TT player on that. It's gas got an old stereo as we've got the non navigation versions and it's got -- old stereo -- -- looks like of the car from. A late ninety's. And there's some ergonomic issues they're -- there's -- -- for where the USB. Port. Goes but if you put if you plug in anything minute you can actually close the little patch rate it isn't really well designed for that -- In it's make you break that or off the thing yet -- not a battery to go with that. And actually there's an issue of plastic handle -- passenger's side is actually coming -- -- -- -- Baghdad it -- not looking -- -- yes so -- Alexis I mean. I -- like that -- does present some issues. One thing interest in coming up is. This won't this'll be out I think sometime next year is Ford is releasing a new version of the escape -- which right now is the little smallest you'd be. Not the most sporting it's pretty old. -- -- -- Animal -- -- right tooth I'm hoping that the the next version that comes out kind of takes -- bit of the truck is sniff out of that because everything else in that segment. Feeling very car like -- it is really truck. -- that new concept of her attractive that it was Detroit. And very cool looking update to the yep fusion every time -- -- -- Ford dad personalities say. To switch on the route you know the new fusion comes -- and having the new focus that's new escape comes that we -- -- escape comes out and because you -- at Denver trekked confidently allow like that so. And then they do have a hybrid version the escape as well so it's gonna be anything like the amber tracked. You know if if Martin wants to -- about a year for that. Yeah but probably not. Right. Other things that you may not want to consider because there are many not expect they're probably don't have space. -- and hybrid. Real like that carve it it's the sedan -- -- opal liked the because the battery takes up kind of wall behind the backseat that -- -- -- -- -- -- that is the pretty big -- though. If it's a really nice -- the fusion hybrid is a great hybrid. Good amount of room in there but you do you know up to its not I have to actually after a deal with the regular groceries then you put him -- -- rate. And then now my personal favorite but also the least practical Honda CRF. I industry learns about life buzz and rattles here as the and Texas and -- six. Need. And just don't bother company -- in -- back at them now and ethnic. Leo that helps you -- Martin. The next email comes in from a mark in Seattle. Fifth it -- be fun to hear what tech toys he teams would install on this car this car being via Hyundai Genesis coupe. He wants to know it seems like we can do things like it's the kind of system that the -- would -- everything out and install their own system and I think that'd be good exercise for me to recommend what I would do with -- car -- tech. In -- mark from Seattle. Well in my review of the Genesis coupe. Noted that I mean it is kind of Spartan -- technology goes you can't get -- you can't of course obviously can't traffic. But it does come with a really good Bluetooth -- hands free system that also has an audio streaming. Though I would do is buy a twenty dollar such -- cut -- And put my Smartphone on the on the dashboard which is what -- end up doing. For the the bulk of the time that we haven't karma Smartphone either sat down in the cupholder. And I used audio streaming negate the music from that into the stereo. Or. You connect an iPhone or iPod using the standard USB port. -- PS navigation in your Bluetooth paired. Voice commands and everything will come through the speakers. I totally aware and -- carmody did I mean if you wanted to good doc that you can now. It easily take opponent to talk to you put -- your pocket costs in the dock the -- want -- -- and about you know on the console little just under the dash. Or we'll -- in the here the other thing is I was audio stream most of the time so that sort of to lying blew it. Monochromatic display you didn't -- anything but in -- three at that read the entirety of the time that we have a car in for review with the exception of me taking pictures the act Ide interface. So I would actually just may be. Just duct tape a phone directly on top of that at at. I mean the stereo system could stand an upgrade film may be an after market -- -- this and be really hard to add to that. But I mean -- if the in the track model because they get rid of things like elite even five years and don't want loaded up about I don't know and that's rampant at -- in the model blocks in the trunk can multiple disparate accounting even out the sound -- navy -- the upgrade -- speakers. But that that wouldn't be -- -- it would actually just be swapping the speakers out. I would happily go with a sub because second really enrich in the sound a -- -- back and they can make a huge difference to the audio system don't go overboard. -- -- Balance off yet. But yet if it's set up in such a way that yeah -- think -- Your Smartphone of the best of breed -- that Atlantic package. If you wanted to go with navigation that was at a doubled in you can easily -- -- doubled -- than doubled -- It's not exactly doubled in but there is you'd have to -- like an adapter. Sort of -- To fit that -- -- men almost -- of the little. Seek that authority there Spanish probably has something. By now and encouraged enough for year I'm sure that they market. You know beaters the no wait we would do -- -- what is planners -- radio come out of -- dive into reality there is the end of this month or beginning of next so soon so yet you wanted to -- really modern really high tech with this yet -- -- yet. Value -- the average -- would be cool yet because then you get here you get. You know -- GPS and your music and in the lot lot of good functionality through that -- Although you might miss some of the voice command asked. A day here's the thing is that it was interesting because when we had the the app. That -- if featured on much of tap that app and it was really cool because I had the phone on the dashboard. And I would just get in the car and go cabling go navigate to you know whatever sandwich shop and it would just pop over to maps and it was. With the phone stuck on the dashboard was just visited. If not better than most voice command system -- and OEM system you usually have to get navigation. If the nation. And they knew even then you can't usually voice search. Or destination you can voice search for an address. But you can't just who you know -- -- tacos. And go there. That's an interesting thing though because you mention now that there -- some Android really well you -- disabling the for the iPhone. They do but little of the in car -- it -- as you did. You can have it. You can send text messages. What you have to agree to touch the screen yeah and I -- iphone's native navigation isn't as good as the Android students are -- Good news that by your entry on -- its interest in how your your tech an upgrade to new carrier aftermarket -- in car may depend on -- California. Ray well -- if you have an I photo and then you've got the iPhone port that -- an advantage there that you actually -- -- humanity the on the the navigation may not be -- -- but arguably music in -- better. Both platforms have the pro -- But it's funny I found. Over -- a lot different cars with that I used to love the you know than the iPhone cable having you know well documented the -- IPhone to the car stereo system and you know my you're using -- interface -- browse for music and all that. But just get lazy every time -- pop a new car and have it's got Bluetooth audio streaming you know this rely on that because -- I don't have to pull my phone out of my pocket I don't have to mess around with sentences. -- in -- claimed some music on my iPhone might not -- X brings us to our next question and -- -- cave in Illinois actually -- -- agreement and how an Illinois. I have the same question. He has the I do believe he bought a Hyundai Elantra. And basically he's wondering if he should right now he's using an iPhone he value of streaming. Just like -- -- He doesn't have that 35 dollar Hyundai I part cable you can by. And he's wondering. Is there any advantage to getting that 35 dollar iPod U verse is just continuing to audio stream. And I would say it's only thirty -- but. Yet at the pretty good deal. Here the advantages. The the first advantage is that all the audio quality. Is gonna be better. -- -- -- a couple of shows ago we talked about. The the compression Bluetooth audio had met in film bones that they via iPhone being one of them on Android phones particularly XTC. -- others you can hear the difference in audio quality between streamed audio and basically plugging into your aux input. And when a federal class volunteers complain. Music through Bluetooth audio streaming and that's got -- -- in the background. The phones and it gets sluggish it slows down the company's other apps at the same time heat so that means that the and this is an iPhone three yes. This means that the processing power isn't quite enough to keep up with everything and that can actually impact your audio quality to rate. I'm in some phone to get skipping. And my phone the HTC thunderbolt you -- -- just hear the compression in the high end to the base doesn't suffer too much split. The high -- -- having weird he -- radio and that he needs to it. When you won't get that if you connect directly. The other advantage is that you get control. Using the touch screen the steering wheel controls for things like you know browsing different artists. With the Bluetooth you get skip back and forth play empires but if he decides you want to jump to a different playlist you gotta pick up your phone. And look at the screen while you're driving which is both unsafe and it. Arguably illegal and a lot of places so that you if you're gonna have a hard time explaining to the -- If you're picking phones and Anthony tech method they don't care -- looking -- phone. Yet and on this from a loss for into not using that -- anti texting laws -- -- if you use any kind of hand held device in your car like that. As if you're texting it's still just just like texting. One thing -- Davis -- gonna find if he does get the cable and he's currently using via Bluetooth audio streaming. Is that this is a whipping up on a lot of cars is that a day you get in the car you hook up your iPhone -- you're -- tedium. Cars. 22 via I from cable. And these are playing music. Ants are driving and then in a in a couple moments the music actually stops you know what that's going on -- found that what happens is it takes a little while for the Bluetooth handshake to happen. And once that has occurred it actually takes over the audio in the iPhone and I don't know -- this may just be a problem with the iPhone itself -- iPhone says oh. I should be -- my -- my audio signal to -- Bluetooth audio streaming because that's. The latest thing that said connect upgrade and so what I find I have to do in that situation is once the Bluetooth -- -- has occurred. Reconnect the iPhone cable. Actually in Hyundai you can go into the menu and just turn off audio streaming yet so it's encouraging him right there -- the phone menu just like turn -- audio streaming and then when you play your iPhone -- You'll still get their hands free calling but you'll have that -- -- -- -- of your audio playback and state. Yeah now that's gets a valuable and that can bypass that problem you'll be scratching your I don't like the work anymore right. In the left advantage is that the the connection likely charge your phone if you don't have a car charger. It's like it's when he but. Purchase their -- -- between -- and it's -- there's been 35 bucks -- actually just keep the right connection. Yet have and haven't had any charges that they get bonus actually yeah those are the advantages to using. -- -- -- -- -- -- Use that make your decision -- -- -- -- we get plaza and take all spots or break here and we'll be right back go with the with a couple more questions -- -- one more question. We're back with -- -- roadside assistance. The system that needs wink and AM and one given an in the studio taking your questions about car technology. How -- deal with it. The question here from Brian from -- that -- Georgia. He just -- 2011 many current countryman which is the larger operator Cooper. The Mini Cooper. Car and instead of security system. He's been told that he can't get an aftermarket unit since the card data transfer vs voltage across the or copper why year right I just got confused. -- I think what he's trying to say is that. -- think the mini -- -- have a more complicated electrical system than the older cars that were actually just you know sending electrical signal for something though. Basically. The -- a lot of basic car alarms work is you wired them up here cobol systems keep the brain underneath you know when under your hood. You closure doors you set the alarm didn't in it and basically what it does this -- -- that are right. At rest. This much voltage is coming through the system. -- and somebody opened -- door in the don't like come vulnerable to changes and that's how the alarm. Really stupid alarms know that -- something different -- doors open and new and that's how they trigger to those sort of alarms -- work with vehicle. You select the -- that the more complicated electronic system that. Me not. I mean either you know more accurately regulated voltage or media for doing things and -- -- the -- during his notes on what can happen there when you start. Getting complicated. Electrical electronic system but it and you can't in the alarm just victor of a little bit more limited in Georgia and -- you live there. I think actually in my hometown. But I don't know like Catholic. You're gonna go through the troubled -- alarm. Well for one -- option is immediately available an alarm so you really want one. Go to your medium W dealer net import XBO put helium -- in that -- should be a dealer installed accessory that they all mean I'm sure they will annually. If you they have money -- give it to you if seemed to be BMW's mini thing is nickel -- down -- on the upgrade. -- in May be. With better than alarmed. Will be some sort of vehicle work ovaries and things like project. Right something like -- or maybe. A GPS tracking system like via black lines GPS by escort that I reviewed last year. One of those wire into your car. And you'll be able to the top online using now or computer -- your car's time of steel that you -- -- where it went. Right -- the question is will the -- -- bunch of characterized the break in and the sirens go off that really gonna stop them and I never once looked out my window when your alarm going on the street if the readers like if it where it's at its recent -- public car alarm more of an annoyance than they are -- One rolling up her data thieves know about Carl -- -- systems and maybe this isn't true -- more -- it used to be true. Is that once they get set up they take a little moment to it to reset like a couple minutes to reset. So somebody goes over bumps the car -- get -- I'm gonna -- move up across the street which see what happens. Once -- arm stops we go back to the car in the alarms and reset for a couple minutes and then they break it. -- Okay I think you'd think that again that -- -- would vehicle recovery systems is that they're usually pretty silent. So unless you're broadcasting that have -- -- -- thing in my car deftly cut LoJack can mean that sort of a deterrent. But it also means that the -- prepared. If they really want -- car of people and if there really wants from any country that but if if they really want your car and it is you know I've got viper. Then you know that just means that -- Know what to look for and then the little bit of -- -- have a GPS tracking system like a little low blows at my GPS but something like that like on GPS or. With the railroads called. But it's something like that it sits silently so the person stole your car. They don't even know that your tracking and they don't even know the police are closing hands so it they mean they may not even know to look for something like and deactivated that sort of still penis. -- you'll you're -- Richards a product -- broken window -- you're less likely have to pay for the opera you know the -- -- are. Yes and in recovery and it probably union reasonable shape and rats given a particular chopped up it's gonna take a -- Take it apart and by then it should be recoverable. Then there's also the the OnStar -- coming out -- -- You should be any you can get the -- service there is indeed there's advantages to having that -- on just. The -- will track your vehicle -- evident in many apps that use the entire headliner and the -- at a meeting with OnStar. In the other bundles -- -- in yet. -- -- Right I'll bet that -- -- -- doing -- about the right -- -- question I'm currently that -- in T last week that. We're gonna let him get to next week yeah -- one more week is prepared for that amendment we are quite right. Again we've also got a couple cars and low card gallery -- -- to -- that. -- Cool so the first cars in our gallery actually comes in from stand in Atlanta Georgia -- -- to -- smarts. On this show one and we had previous with the when it was -- fleet on the front -- this line. I don't what's going on here actually has will basically -- -- -- it has the wind -- -- key on the back. Again it like you would with the wind up clay. The channel also said that -- wired into the electrical system so on the cars on. Expanding. Latin nights they look like you're gonna rule -- down the road and little wind -- whatever. Yet it's a little -- Smart Car and yeah right on back next to license plate is a the wind up things that the -- -- -- clockwork our which we just talk about recently corporate -- cards. -- -- -- Elected a little bit with the legality of Seattle in the -- Let's in my conservative I -- Yeah depending on how fast it turns will be -- from while you're at the -- speeding and Smart Car so. No dealings with the license plate anyway. The next in the gallery also come -- from scanning -- news this week. It is again you know we love our art and all cars that it on huge rooms at that and it's one. Little -- questionable graphics in the back window and yet it's an. Black olds cutlass with -- -- users -- on on their twenties maybe a little -- graphic from -- back when yes. Nice throw a little picture -- city weaving of people that. -- that doesn't go together -- These things as part in nova I -- I mean no word if they -- -- that -- I -- if requested. That -- -- that. But it'd -- -- these BC question in the street creative is Duncan -- through the app has inflicted now maybe -- when lifting three -- of games you have to be. You eat anymore that's right united you've got the confidence in and nobody's gonna mess with yeah that's that's. Ray in the the last line. Come in from -- from Salt Lake City. -- -- -- this just north of Salt Lake City, Utah yes it's a totally guided. Roll bar reinforced radiator mounted -- mounted. Might -- new hearing by probably eat now on the act hero who is that appear the the viera link would've it was like weird. American cars that you can pretty astute in the thing you went I think these things converted into -- Obscene and converted into. Like me whatever but this is mad -- style new body planning. -- click all of the -- by panels have been ripped off. In he has to do everybody used to be that -- willing to convert the dune buggies lire down this looks like you know modern take -- that it in the -- of mid engined. So the Internet access behind the driver and if you look at the picture in the bottom right hand corner you -- it would look like -- health span yeah. That's. -- relatively big lake to buy two boxes and maybe and maybe it dumping from the -- -- that's what it looked like to -- and its extra for Pullman. Pulling air through the radiator previous -- in the mud off of it -- and educate them. You know no doors and the thing you know this is a -- in the side and dad you wanna be able to get out of it quick and look at it at a -- I mean actually it looks like it might be fun to drive I mean answer that based on the amount moment on it -- the -- and do whatever they -- to win but -- were those the tires don't really look like any canisters -- road tires or anything like that they're just they look like normal. I weight -- if you've gone through. This little from. Aetna is buying of the area and ripping it ripping off it goes public affairs with. -- -- -- It'd be the -- of their basic the UB ram community. -- just be tires candidate just representatives went around and collective -- -- -- who had the fifth at at that. And Dan. -- elected -- in them on there. That's that's your new rally there yet delivered the the renew his submission that'll art gallery you get sentiment yet we keep about fifty cars in -- gallery and its office is always -- in the look at. He missed previous suit up in over there and the unit that -- Last lol cars you can see all of them. That's pretty much at our show today that's it for roadside assistance that all the emails that we've got you have an email. With a question you want answered you can email to -- that -- -- at cnet.com. Com or if you have a question that you one you can also give us a call -- -- voicemail. 866401. CNET 86641263. Is call us. Leave -- the voicemail. And we will probably get around to -- on the show. I you can also will find all of our car tech news and pretty much anything that's going on with us over a car tech dot cnet.com -- episodes of this the show and our regular car tech live show. You can find me on Twitter on and do a NTT OO Wayne you're on Twitter. Yeah I'm -- C underscore SF read about what cars and drive and what little what do what to think about him and down course Brian Cooley is Brian Cooley. Simple one word. -- next week.