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Ford Sync 3: 5 Reasons I’m Ready to Trade in and Upgrade
The new Ford Sync 3 infotainment system is an incredible upgrade over MyFord Touch, fixing every complaint I have with the old and slow system and delivering a simpler, smarter in dash navigation and entertainment system that works with your smartphone in ways MyFord Touch can only dream of.
After spending a week using the SYNC 3 in a 2016 Ford Mustang GT I am ready to trade in my 2013 Ford Fusion to get a new 2016 or 2017 Ford vehicle with the vastly improved system.
Ford told us that this may be the most researched product in the company’s 100 year history, involving consumer feedback, virtual reality testing and much more to deliver a fast, smart and easy to use hub for controlling your phone and your car with touch and voice.
Sync 3 is a vast improvement over the Sync systems in older Ford vehicles.
You’ll need a 2016 or newer Ford to get all the benefits of this system. The new Sync 3 system is available in some 2016 models, and is coming to most 2017 Ford vehicles.
There is no way to get a MyFord Touch upgrade to Sync 3 in your existing car. There is new hardware and a new experience driving this system that the older setup simply can’t handle.
Here are 5 reasons I’m ready to trade in my 2013 Ford Fusion to upgrade to something new.
- Smarter Design – In Sync 3 the buttons are bigger, higher contrast and easier to find. The things I use like Bluetooth, Line in and apps are easier to get to in Sync 3.
- Speed – The Sync 3 system is incredibly fast. When you touch, swipe, pinch or tap the system reacts with smartphone speeds.
- Voice Control – No longer will voice control not understand what you mean, it can figure out what you say and what you actually mean to get the job done without causing you to yell like the MyFord Touch system often does.
- AppLink for Sync – When you plug your phone in by USB and run apps like AccuWeather, Spotify or Radio Disney will appear on-screen for easy control.
- Solving Problems – The new Sync 3 system fixes many problems I have with MyFord Touch. In addition to all the new features above, Sync 3 simplifies upgrades by performing them over WiFi at night. The system can now charge your phone only when you connect it instead of taking over the audio. There is also a new and improved night mode and other small improvements.
The Ford Sync 3 system will support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but we’re still waiting on more details about this. Even without Apple or Google, the new Ford Sync 3 system is an incredible upgrade.
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Do you hate constantly adjusting your cruise control, or giving up on cruise control because of traffic or due to a driver in front of you who keeps changing speed? You need a smart cruise control system. Smart cruise control goes by many different names. You may see it listed as Radar Cruise, Adaptive Cruise or Intelligent Cruise control. Whatever it is called, it will allow you to set your cruise control and then stay with the flow of slower traffic. Here's why we love it and why you need it. You get on the highway and set the cruise at 76 miles per hour. You also set the distance you want kept between you and the car in front of you. There are typically three or four settings so you can be close or keep a lot of space. Now you simply steer and your car will go 76 mile per hour when traffic allows it or there is no one in front of you. When someone is in front of you going 73 mph, the car automatically slows down to keep you the distance you choose from that car. This is indispensable in traffic and on long road trips. Not all smart cruise control systems are the same. Some of work at all speeds, while others only work above a specific limit. Some systems can bring you to a complete stop in traffic and then restart without you needing to touch a pedal. You can find adaptive cruise control on cars as cheap as $18,500 like the Toyota Corolla, and as an option on many cars below $30,000. Even on pricier cars you may need a higher trim level or special package to get this feature. | |||||||||||
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Anonny
01/07/2015 at 12:21 pm
As appealing as this may seem, it must be noted that Ford refused to allow ANY updates to the Sync software with previous models. This is even after the updates were produced by Microsoft and waiting for certification from Ford. If they haven’t wised up to taking care of updates then we can all expect to be disappointed in the near future.
Adeq Tandop
01/27/2015 at 8:57 am
Install iOS 8
Coto
03/18/2015 at 9:48 am
After 3 iPhones including the iPhone 6, once I switched to Android KitKat and now Lollipop, the newest Android version, I would never go back to IOS and I’m speaking with cell phone experience and beta testing as early as 1984 and I tenet connectivity as early as 1988 when I first had email but I knew no one that had even heard of email in 1988 so I had no one with which to communicate.
IOS is great for beginners or those who are technology challenged. But, if you want the best technology, Android. It’s why Android devices have now supassed Apple’s closed IOS.
boblet
06/25/2015 at 8:21 pm
Without a clear upgrade path for owners who have a dash slot big enough for a replacement system, this looks like Ford trying to monetize a bad product by tying it unnecessarily to a new car purchase.
Cody M
09/29/2015 at 12:02 pm
I would gladly pay $1,000 to upgrade my 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid with Sync 3. The Microsoft MyFord Touch is horrible! I am considering trading in my car for a 2016 to get rid of the MyFord Touch.
Tony godin
11/26/2015 at 6:58 pm
My girlfriend just bought a 2016 Ford Escape with the non touch screen sync 3 system and it sucks. Been back to dealer twice in first two weeks. Ready to park it in the lot and tell them what they can do with it.
Billy Miller
01/01/2016 at 2:44 pm
I think it is absolutely ridiculous that ford will not offer purchasers of 2016 models that are not available with sync 3 to never have a chance to upgrade. Great reason to switch to a gmc or dodge. 72000 dollars for a truck with old technology when new technology exists. Just purchased a new 2016 model 350 super duty king ranch.
Jasper
02/18/2016 at 7:07 pm
Sync 3 is just as bad as the previous version. I’ve only had my vehicle for two weeks and already it’s been in the shop for Sync 3 problems (randomly disconnects and then turns back on, back-up camera stays on as your driving down the road, touchscreen freezes up). They keep it for a day and then tell me it’s fine and working again. Cycle starts all over again. Sync 3 is garbage.
Kanwar
03/07/2016 at 10:25 am
I have a ford escape 2014 with sync touch 2 installed. It is working fine. I have never issue with Bluetooth or navigation, music. I don’t know why people giving bad reviews.
OEMRadio Solutions
04/16/2016 at 8:34 pm
You can upgrade to Sync 3 if you have MFT.. You can also upgrade if you have the base radio with the small screen..
Timothy Legg
05/13/2016 at 3:38 pm
My father bought a 2016 Ford Fiesta with the regular Sync. The manual tries to cover all subsets of systems in one book at the expense of coherence and clarity. The user interface is non-intuitive and for the most part, is unusable. The irony is that I have a computer engineering degree from ISU and can’t operate my father’s car entertainment system (and I design these sorts of systems). Ford really screwed up on multiple levels and I cannot recommend this brand to anybody who doesn’t like to drive in silence.
Donna
07/27/2016 at 3:31 pm
i have a 2016 escape with sync3 and the navigation freezes, it pops up navigation fault in a blue screen. i have reset it a bunch of times,,
Soakee
08/16/2016 at 7:47 am
Sounds great, although I have no problem with the MFT in my 2015 model.
D. A. Price
09/11/2016 at 8:24 am
Bought a 2016 Edge Titanium with Sync 3 5 months ago. It looks good but functionally is extremely buggy. Navigation routing is complete trash, it always chooses terrible routes which are longer and slower (yes I have tried changing every setting). Apps are buggy, Spotify rarely works right but locks the phone app so you can’t control from your phone. Phone function randomly doesn’t work. Backup camera randomly stays on even when moving forward. U could go on…. Finally, Android Auto and Apple Car Play updates still not available yet for 2016 Edge owners despite promises they would be available “by summer” when I purchased the vehicle in March.
D.A. Price
07/25/2017 at 10:31 am
Above comment update: As a month or two ago Android Auto is working in my Edge Sync 3 system. Auto SW update did NOT work, I had to download the update to a USB/flash drive and run it myself. Once the Sync 3 update was installed Android Auto started working. It also has a bug or two but so far I love it.
Monty
10/03/2016 at 4:06 pm
I am frustrated with the nag system in my new 17 Escape….when travelling we like to search for a restaurant or hotel, and when we search on our way the system puts up a few on the screen and that is it!
As we continue to drive the screen remains the same, never tells us what else is coming up. The screen remains locked until you select a choice or quit!
Our little GARMIN navi works better than this system, we now carry it in our new ford so that we have this option available.
Danny Armstrong
10/25/2016 at 9:10 pm
I can upgrade most vehicles with the 4.2″ non touchscreen SYNC or 8″ MyTouch to have the 8″ SYNC 3 system. It requires new hardware and adaptations but looks and works like factory when done. There are multiple option levels. The problem is that most people that say they want to do it change their minds when they find out how much it really cost to do it right.
If you are truly serious email me at [email protected]
Danny Armstrong
02/13/2017 at 10:46 pm
This is Danny Armstrong. My email has changed to [email protected]
Vicky
01/12/2017 at 7:01 pm
If you are looking for a vehicle with navigation, do not buy a Ford with Sync 3. It was fine for the first year I owed my 2016 Ford Escape Titanium, but after a year, it fell off the edge of functionality and is complete TRASH!! According to the dealership there is NO FIX for the errors in the navigation system – freezes, jumps, shows totally wrong locations (sometimes hundreds of miles off), the constant Bluetooth problems (I have an iPhone 6+), the intermittent touch screen non-responsiveness, and the severely lagging voice controls! Totally disgusted with Ford!!!!!
Andrew Winn
02/15/2017 at 4:49 am
The GT made a name for itself in the 1960s, and the nameplate returned to Ford for the 2005 and 2006 models. Since then, the vehicle has truly evolved into a supercar, evident by it’s $100,000+ price tag.
The company has made some changes to the third-generation GT, prioritizing handling and track capabilities in their 2017 model. The result? Not only one of Ford’s most impressive cars ever, but perhaps one of the most innovative cars to ever be released.
kombat
03/13/2017 at 11:05 am
I just bought a 2014 Fusion. I don’t mind the MFT system. My only gripe is that it won’t let you respond to text messages via voice, like Android Auto will, which I got used to doing on my phone in my previous car.
Dave
05/02/2017 at 10:20 am
For what it’s worth Sync 3 sucks, too.
Josh
07/20/2017 at 8:25 am
I have such a bad taste in my mouth for any Sync product Ford puts out after the Sync in my 2013 F-150 has caused me nothing but problems. Not only has the Sync been nothing but trouble, but the level of support received by Ford has had me considering a different brand of truck all together. I complained from day one about the Sync, and all I ever heard was “perform a master reset” or “we cannot recreate the problem” (until the warranty ran out, then they were more than willing to perform expensive diagnostics and repairs). How can I perform a master reset if the entire system is frozen? I digress. I want to buy a new truck, and I want an F-150 with the EcoBoost, but I do not want to spend $40-50K for another rolling computer with more bugs than a jungle, and a sales associate at a dealer cannot tell me anything to make me comfortable with any Ford Sync product.