SYNC 4

[Jill]

I've only looked at reviews of the SYNC4 system in the Escape, and am not impressed.
I would not buy a new '25 or newer BS because of the loss of physically distinct controls of the HVAC.
Did you ever notice that your computer keyboard has little bumps on the "F" and "J " keys?
There's a reason for that - that bump identifies the keys for touch typists without having to look at the keyboard.
The physically distinct keys of the soon-to-be-obsolete HVAC controls enjoy that same convenience, in being able to identify the buttons and knobs without having to take your eyes off of the road.
The row of buttons on the SYNC 4 screen is a step backward in safety, encouraging, no, requiring that the driver take their eyes off the road to look at the the buttons.
Sadly, most auto manufacturers are removing physically distinct controls and replacing them with infotainment touch selections, or as with Ford, physically indistinguishable buttons.

Can you not use your voice control to adjust the temperature? That’s what I do.

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[RushMan]

Can you not use your voice control to adjust the temperature? That’s what I do.

Temperature change is the only HVAC function that voice commands can access. You cannot turn on the defrosters, turn AC on or off (I rarely use the AC even in the hottest weather, preferring the windows open), nor change the fan speed. Give us the buttons and knobs.
Since auto manufactures are all going to touch screen and voice command without physical controls, this will likely be the last new car that I ever buy.

 

[mdwheaton]

With no physical buttons for HVAC controls, do you find that an issue?

Not having physical buttons for HVAC control is a show stopper for a vehicle purchase for me. I like being able to control the HVAC without having to take my eyes off the road and memorize where the controls are. To me it's a FAIL if they have exact same size shapes for the buttons to control things like fan speed up/down. The controls on my 2021 BS are like that, and it irritates me, so I have to very carefully "learn" the location of each with my fingers.
I also don't like the idea if my screen is damaged in any way, I just lost control of almost everything in the cockpit.
I drove a new Ford Edge as a rental for a while. EVERYTHING was controlled thru the screen. I hated it.

 

[Badlander1234]

I've only looked at reviews of the SYNC4 system in the Escape, and am not impressed.
I would not buy a new '25 or newer BS because of the loss of physically distinct controls of the HVAC.
Did you ever notice that your computer keyboard has little bumps on the "F" and "J " keys?
There's a reason for that - that bump identifies the keys for touch typists without having to look at the keyboard.
The physically distinct keys of the soon-to-be-obsolete HVAC controls enjoy that same convenience, in being able to identify the buttons and knobs without having to take your eyes off of the road.
The row of buttons on the SYNC 4 screen is a step backward in safety, encouraging, no, requiring that the driver take their eyes off the road to look at the the buttons.
Sadly, most auto manufacturers are removing physically distinct controls and replacing them with infotainment touch selections, or as with Ford, physically indistinguishable buttons.

You can use your Voice option to change climate control settings

 

[wireman]

Perhaps the ‘25 Bronco Sport will come with Sync 4A (upgrade from Sync 4 to Sync 4A is not supported)

https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/sync/sync-updates/can-i-upgrade-the-sync-system-to-a-newer-sync-system/

I think it will be Sync 4. I believe Sync 4A is the large vertical screen (Mustang Mach E).

 

[Paradocks]

With no physical buttons for HVAC controls, do you find that an issue?

Not at all. I rarely adjust the HVAC controls since I keep it in Auto mode and let the car do its thing. Set the desired temperature once and forget about it. The only reason I need to adjust the controls is to activate defrost mode when required.

 

[wireman]

The thing that would P.M.O would be having to pay for a subscription for built in navigation.

Hell, you've already paid extra for built in nav, no extra costs should be the norm.

 

[Mark S.]

If Ford uses the same larger SYNC 4 screen as used in some 2023 Escape models, there will be dedicated HVAC controls along the bottom of the screen.

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