Following complaints of slow response times and even system crashes, Ford served up an update for its MyTouch systems earlier this year, but CR contends that the upgrade has not address the real issue with the systems: "It's the fundamental design of the system that's flawed," CR wrote on its Web site.
CR notes that the upgrade has improved the speed of the system, but says MyTouch remains far too complicated to operate safely while driving.
"Other than an analog speedometer, all the gauges are digital and can be arrayed in a seemingly infinite variety via two four-way touch pads on the steering-wheel, even on the fly," CR wrote. "Screens flanking the speedometer can also select things like radio presets and climate settings. But even these menus are really involved and distracting to use while you're driving."
And the magazine's issues aren't just for first time users. "We've tested six cars with MyFord Touch or MyLincoln Touch and have driven well over 20,000 miles in them. By now we're very familiar with the system, so it's not that our drivers haven't acclimated to it."
As a result of its issues with the MyTouch systems, CR has moved several Ford products to its "not recommended" list.
