All things Infotainment

This was something I struggled with before looking at the car properly, more from an aesthetics perspective but also from a general packaging one; however, I have to hold my hands up and say it actually works really well for me. The ability to mute/pause something with one hand and drop down a few gears with the other just works. It’s one of the more effective parts of the cars ergonomics and I otherwise just forget what it looks like.

Also for completeness in following up my earlier query on settings, I’ve played around with all sorts - tried different sources and formats of music and come to the conclusion that the sound quality is okay provided you don’t go above 70% volume. A little disappointing, but I’ve been spoilt by better systems(the best being a Lexus) - I may come back and try to improve this at a later stage, it’s acceptable for now.

With the later system (car play etc) you can only adjust the volume on screen after you have used the remote control - doesn't stay on screen and, as far as I'm aware, you can't get to it any other way - unless anyone knows different?

…Also, if you are experiencing a lot of bluetooth cut-out's then request your dealer to have MySpin to be re-installed / re-booted at your next service. It solved the bluetooth issue for me. It will also mean you will get the 2020 version of MySpin, so the maps will likely be more up to date than the 2018 versions.

Nope, confirmed. The volume control only comes up on the touch screen when you adjust it via the stalk, but disappears after a second or two and there is no way of bringing it up other than by using the stalk. The stalk works all the time.

It doesn't bother me as:
1) the stalk is easiest anyway and it prevents passengers meddling with the volume
2) My wifes JCW has a volume knob, but the symbol on it rotates with the knob and my OCD just cannot accept it being anything other then precisely vertical - so I have to keep straightening it when other people leave it off centre. I am well used to only using steering wheel controls.

The control stalk is very good ergonomically, albeit somewhat aesthetically challenged.

Ref: the scroll wheel: I think you'll find that it's one direction for going back to the start of the track or scroll back further to the previous track; and vice-versa in the other direction to skip to the next track. I never have any issues with the scroll wheel, it remains consistent in my experience.

Also for completeness in following up my earlier query on settings, I’ve played around with all sorts - tried different sources and formats of music and come to the conclusion that the sound quality is okay provided you don’t go above 70% volume. A little disappointing, but I’ve been spoilt by better systems(the best being a Lexus) - I may come back and try to improve this at a later stage, it’s acceptable for now.

If you feel the door panels when playing at even medium volume, there is noticeable vibration. It doesn't seem to affect sound quality as much as you might expect, but I have no doubt that damping pads attached to the panel would be a step forward.

Don't we get a bit obsessed by the media stalk for no reason? My experience of it...

Test drive - got back to the dealer with a question about how to turn the radio up as I simply didn't even notice it, despite lots of fumbling around trying to work out how to work the volume control on the dash.

Owning car - it's behind the steering wheel and I simply don't see it when driving. Now I know its there its simplicity itself to use and in a very handy position. I like that only I'm in control of the volume....useful when with passengers! It just works. I don't much care that its been around forever, that just says to me its unlikely to break and if it does its as cheap as chips to replace. I can't say I've fully got to grips with the various buttons on it but thats just familiarity - I mostly have it on the radio and don't use the car every day so, other than volume, not many other functions get touched.

While the infotainment on my 2021 car doesn't benefit from CarPlay, I don't have that on any other car so don't miss it. The only issue with the screen and controls is the fiddly little 'buttons' on the touchscreen - never great on any RHD car in my experience because you are trying to control it with your left hand and most people are right handed.

I certainly don't get excited by the infotainment system as every car I've had has quickly improved in this area making any system you have feel outdated quite quickly. But does it actually do what I want it to? Yes, it does. Satnav is fine, radio and audio is really good quality. Interface poor. But it's certainly not at dreadful and laggy as my Discovery 4. But even that from a functionality perspective, does everything that much more modern systems do, just in a more clunky way.

Does the nav (pre '22) account for traffic, then re-route if it spots a delay ahead?

I've not tried using it yet, as I've only ever done journeys where I know where I'm going.