The “next turn” voice notice is so late that it’s dangerous.
I spent a few hours this morning driving around several New England towns, all of the time using the built-in Sync 3 navigation system in my 2017 Ford Escape Titanium.
I’ve had voice-activated, built-in, OEM GPS navigation in my vehicles since 2001 and this is the first one that does not provide enough notice with its turn-by-turn instructions to safely navigate.
Only once this morning did the system give me ¼ mi. warning even though 9 out of 10 turns were at least ½ mile (usually much more) apart. In-town speeds were 25 to 45 MPH.
To compound the problem (and the danger), 1/10 mi. is 528 ft. and while watching the distance-to-turn measurement, none of the voice prompts started at .1 mi. Most started at 450 ft., and some started at 400 ft. And none of the prompts finished before 300 ft. – even at 25 MPH.
Regardless, in most towns it’s almost impossible to safely move to the indicated turning lane within 500 ft.
In all cases instructions should begin at the ¼ mile distance at a minimum.
Additionally, the radio does not mute while the NAV is giving verbal instructions.
I never had either of these issues with my 2013 or 2014 Escapes.