The Cadillac User Experience, or CUE, touch-based infotainment system has had a mixed reception since being launched just a few years ago. Perhaps the biggest gripe with the system is the lack of physical knobs and buttons to control such essentials as audio volume and cabin temperature.
It’s this lack of actual buttons/knobs that requires the driver to constantly double-check that he/she is didn’t touch the incorrect area on the touch-based control panel. Add to that the fact that we often initiated the volume controls when actually trying to select a present on the bottom row of the screen, and the issues surrounding the system become evident. Simply put, CUE seems to increase driving distraction, despite its rich feature set.
With that, we ask: should Cadillac replace the touch-sensitive controls on CUE with physical buttons and dials? Vote in the poll and present your opinion in the comments below.
Comments
Physical knob or button can be used without seeing it. Touchscreen cannot.
No matter if it is knobs, buttons or magic wand the Cue system just needs a more simple system that falls to hand and people know what each button or switch does in the first minute of use.
Right now finding touch points and what they do are difficult for some people and can be a big turn off to a first time user in a show room.
What ever they use needs to be intuitive and user friendly to anyone not familiar to the system.
The Cue system actually works fine once you learn it but car buyers generally expect to master the system at first glance. With Cue it takes a little time.
Maybe you should have knobs on your Iphones too?
Do you fumble with your iPhone while not looking at it as you drive 70 miles per hour down a highway?
Different interfaces call for different scenarios.
The problem with CUE isn’t that there’s no buttons, it’s that the system is too slow. Ford’s new Sync system that acts very similar to (pinch to zoom) is much faster. Cadillac needs to boost speeds for the interface. Although, if they wanted to include knobs or buttons, a simple solution is to do what Aston Martin has done in the vanquish; add three simple knobs that control some main functions (volume, channel, etc). The rest of their buttons are touch capacitive but they are on a matte finished surface (no finger prints) and the buttons are outlined. Reviewers say that the outlines alone are a huge help.
CUE’s speed is not the problem. Name one function or feature that “feels too slow”.
Instead, the problem is figuring out which area on the panel to touch to do what you want to do. It’s simple stuff like adjusting the volume, changing a channel or skipping a track and adjusting cabin temperature. To do every one of those with the current CUE, you have to look at the touch panel or the touch display. This is not the case for systems that have actual volume, tuning, and temperature knobs.
Hey, I’m the guy on that motorcycle ahead of you while you’re “looking” at your touch screen,,,Please don’t run over me!!
They need sensible knobs for navigating menus and commonly used functions. Or a control dial by the shifter/cup holders.
Some folks are lazy and afraid of new technology in vehicles. CUE is not difficult to use, yet most reviews always knock it. Interfaces in BMW, Land Rover, to name a couple, are FAR more difficult to use, as I’ve owned both. Going backwards to knobs is not the answer. Keep improving the speed, sensitivity and functionality of CUE, Cadillac, and you will be fine. Besides, basic functions, such as radio controls and comfort control touch buttons are located on the steering wheel and center stack, respectively, without having to go into any screens.
I have a 2013 Cadillac Platinum XTS I bought in Sep 2012. It was a little overwelming at first but thanks to the salesman and my free Cadillac iPad that has tutorials on cue features I have mastered all the technology in my car. I absolute Love this car! I have
Had no problems at all and this is my 7th Cadillac. The touch screen is ver easy and convenient. Its ironic I see the $100 plus top of the lines BMW, Mercedes and Audi and the have all knobs which looks like my old 2001 Cadillac Sts had. Cadillac is half the price with lighted outside door handles
and 4 changeable driver screen and a camera that reads the speed limit sign
To tell you the speed limit. How cool is that plus pulsing seat when you go out of your lane and approaching collision these foreign cars do not even have these features at double the price.
I also like buying American because it saves American jobs. I do not want my money going to China or Germany. I lost my insurance Job to India so not happy when companies do this. My sister is manager at Mercedes and the parts are way too expensive a license plate holder is $250. That’s why she makes so much money and she drives a Escalade.
Glad that you have patriotism in you but the Cadillac XTS is build in Canada (Oshawa, Ontario), not here in the States.
Automobile manufacturing is a global business and is no longer a domestic business same as for a lot of Fortune 500 companies.
Wat it needs is a Intel, Qualcomm, or Tegra Chipset, preferably a 64 bit to make it Way Faster then what it is and better software for integration, c’mon Caddy, you can do this standing on your head!!!! 😉
Not necessarily.
What’s really needed is to optimize software for the hardware, and vice-versa. Look to Apple and how it makes blazing-fast devices while using hardware that is slower. The end result is faster devices thanks to software made for the hardware it runs on, and hardware made for the software it runs.
Touch screens should be banned in cars, this IS distracted driving.
Adding buttons to the dash would make it look cluttered . And I think it would be a step backwards in the design of their instrument panels . Its like owning a computer that runs on Windows 8.1 when you were used to XP , it just takes time to get used to a new operating system . I wonder if half the problem is people don’t read their manuals for it , like my dad always used to say when I opened a new toy and got frustrated that ” it doesn’t work ” he would say ” did you read the instructions ? . =) .
If this division has a problem with the present touch screens , and it appears it certainly does , why in heaven’s name does this staff writer put this in front of readers to this forum ?? If Cadillac hasn’t got the message beaten into them by the purchasers of their products , then bringing this up to readers here is foolish ! When you have buyers spending north of 50,000.00 dollars you bring your A GAME to the table . The components must be time tested , and any problems dealt with quickly , this is a given . Customer satisfaction is the cornerstone of any manufacturer , it is everything ! This division , the elite GM brand , can’t even make it to the top ten in customer satisfaction , but Buick makes it , unbelievable . GM keeps throwing money at Cadillac , indeed it is billions and oh yes , lots of new models are to come . This is LaLa land , folks , lets move this forum site to New York , and get our heartfelt messages to the new Caddie New York office directly , they need our input and encouragement …. I’ll put it my way , a good swift kick in the ass and show these remarkable people where the exit door is , as the consequence if they cannot take their jobs seriously . This brand name will continue to suffer fools gladly . Its true you know , history does keep repeating itself and this division , to me , is a prime example !!
You’re clearly misunderstanding the situation or are simply uninformed.
1. We’re not talking about touch screens. The screens are fine. We are talking about the controls (sliders vs. knobs). You understand?
2. The reason it’s presented here is because this is a hot topic with varying levels of opinion. It’s best to create discussion and see what comes of it.
3. Regarding bringing A-Game: ever heard of BMW and iDrive? A-game comes from time and continuous improvement. But you are right overall.
4. Regarding customer satisfaction: the surveys don’t rank BMW or Audi favorably either, yet their sales continue to make double-digits gains year after year. What do you make of this?
The point is that Cadillac is making great-driving (and the best-driving) cars in the market but the details (like CUE controls) can be improved still. This doesn’t make it a bad product, it just speaks to the fact that luxury automobile making is a game best played long term.
Glad that you have patriotism in you but the Cadillac XTS is build in Canada (Oshawa, Ontario), not here in the States.
Automobile manufacturing is a global business and is no longer a domestic business same as for a lot of Fortune 500 companies.
Make it compatible with Windows and not apple. MP3s forever. All I use is the CD player. The rest of it is worthless. After looking up and finding myself in another lane than when I looked down at Que, I now get it set up and then drive.
Seriously? What does this even mean?
The system runs Linux — which is neither Windows (Microsoft) nor Apple nor Android. It’s its own thing. And let’s not even get started about which company (Apple or Microsoft) sells more phones and consumer electronic devices. Hint: it’s Apple. This is a non-starter.
Granted CUE can be slow. However, it’s not a difficult system. I believe some luxury buyers don’t mind taking the time to learn the system. Others are just lazy. Buttons will not be around forever, so people, get it together. Improved speed = great system.
Cue is insanity to me. No othe major car dealer in the world took this approach. I own 2011 Escalade. I can not buy an American to replace my BMW car because of the crazy interface.
I have had many loaner cars. I just can’t believe when people compared this to all the other luxury brands they can take such a poor design. The current Cadillacs are beautiful but I can not get beyond the insanity. This is killing the great car designs that they have at this time.
Lots, most, of CUE things are pathetic. I will never buy another Cadillac with this interface and this entertainment unit. Here are some of the most obvious problems:
– poor FM reception. Cadillac is the most expensive car I have driven regularly and it has the weakest FM reception,
– Favorite buttons must be always present and always at the same location on the screen. Preferable, split the screen vertically (2/3 and 1/3) and show Favorite buttons on the 1/3 split. The key is that this should be ALWAYS visible and at a PERMANENT location (including Android Auto, Home screen, settings etc). With the current CUE, those Favorite buttons show and disappear, etc. It is a MESS!
– Clock, exterior/interior temperature, phone connection MUST BE ALWAYS VISIBLE. Put it on the 1/3 vertical split mentioned above.
– Radio station change must be easy and always available without any additional actions. The Favorite list scrolling from the steering wheel is dangerous, very distracting from driving.
–
I see the volume knob on my 2014 Escalade is wearing off….so decided to replace with a new knob–when I called the dealer parts dept they told me the knobs are not replaceable that you have to buy a whole new radio unit……well this is just crazy…anyone have any suggestions ? or know how to replace without buying a whole new radio?