First long drive in the V90 - impressions

[NickV90]

So first trip to the Lakes and back this weekend. First of all, I loved the car - it just eats the miles. My impressions are:
- sat nav takes getting used to: I am frustrated by the zoom having to do an ipad type spread of the fingers - I'd like a zoom control. This is particularly true when detours are offered - and I want to see what the new option looks like; I would like to have a big display of an upcoming junction in the centre diplay (there's supposed to be a "merged roadways" display according to the manual, but I don't have that option for some reason); why is the top half the screen effectively in fog? such a waste of screen...
- it's very wide for the narrow lanes of the Lake District but I am getting used to placement. I REALLY miss the front detectors I had on the CRV - the 360camera is fine for parking but not handy when trying to judge the position of the car in a single track road on the side of a mountain
- I got really irritated by the lane departure feedback on the steering. Sometimes I don't need to indicate to change lane (on an empty road, for example), sometimes on a twisty road it is ok to cross the line. I've switched mine off now!
- the auto following cruise control needs mastering - it detects a long way away and reduces the speed too aggressively too far away from the car in front - it actually brakes which is often not needed. It can get very confused at times - several times I had to switch it off as it accelerated and braked alternately not sure what it was doing. However in 50mph roadwork streams of traffic it was lovely.
- the driver assist mode for cruise is a gimmick more than useful
- I found the real world performance more than adequate - sprightly acceleration when needed; decent taughtness around the twisty bits; and compliant suspension
- it was pretty windy and it just was not affected by cross winds - very pleased
- and 55mpg for the trip was outstanding in my opinion. Shame the tank is so small though.

Just thought I'd share!
Nick

[neon]

With the satnav zoom, if you tap the screen with one finger twice it zooms in and if you tap the screen once with 2 fingers it zooms out. I too found the pinching to be a pain.
When coming to a junction etc I normally see more detail in the driver display and even more in the HUD.
I also turned off the lane keeping assist on my XC90 as it was being constantly triggered.
If you mean PA2 as the driver assist mode, I would give it time as I find it pretty good in certain situations, but it is more limited than the marketing suggested.
I find ACC to be great as long as you turn it off when coming to roundabouts, junctions, passing cyclists etc.

[NickV90]

Ooh thanks for the tip

I didn't mention the radio - brilliantly easy

[uro1]

Originally Posted by NickV90

- I got really irritated by the lane departure feedback on the steering. Sometimes I don't need to indicate to change lane (on an empty road, for example), sometimes on a twisty road it is ok to cross the line. I've switched mine off now!

I got mine on the XC60 turned off to. But I find that one more annoying as it fades out the Radio before "beeping". I only drove a V90CC for a test drive, but the feedback on the wheel is not nearly as obtrusive - we´ll see.

Originally Posted by NickV90

- the auto following cruise control needs mastering - it detects a long way away and reduces the speed too aggressively too far away from the car in front - it actually brakes which is often not needed. It can get very confused at times - several times I had to switch it off as it accelerated and braked alternately not sure what it was doing. However in 50mph roadwork streams of traffic it was lovely.

You can set the preferred distance to the car before you. Make sure it is not set to max. But it works not on a set distance in meters but in seconds. That means if the car you are driving up to is much slower than you it will react much earlier as if the car is nearly your pace. I personally took that as a learning aid to match my lane changing behaviour to the cars system. Much safer especially with higher speeds.

[nu11eaf]

Originally Posted by NickV90

So first trip to the Lakes and back this weekend. First of all, I loved the car - it just eats the miles. My impressions are:
- sat nav takes getting used to: I am frustrated by the zoom having to do an ipad type spread of the fingers - I'd like a zoom control. This is particularly true when detours are offered - and I want to see what the new option looks like; I would like to have a big display of an upcoming junction in the centre diplay (there's supposed to be a "merged roadways" display according to the manual, but I don't have that option for some reason); why is the top half the screen effectively in fog? such a waste of screen...
Nick

Your satnav was set in 3D, if you set it to 2D display that fog (sky) will go and you get a full view.

[Quacker]

Originally Posted by nu11eaf

Your satnav was set in 3D, if you set it to 2D display that fog (sky) will go and you get a full view.

3D does need a rethink though. It is rather peculiar. My Nissan may have a far smaller screen but its 3D [Birdview] is far better. Nevertheless I still generally prefer normal view.