Questions re 2022-23 3.3 Sport Prestige

[jjsC6]

I had my 2021 3.3 sport prestige in the shop this week and they gave me as a loaner a brand new 2023 with same equipment. There are several changes since my 2021 and there were things I never figured out (I did not have a manual for it).

Dual mode exhaust: There was no difference in sound compared to my car in any mode. I never found any real setting except something that I was not sure if it was supposed to change the actual exhaust flap or sound piped in on the speakers. But it didn’t really matter because it made no difference. Did I miss something?

Lexicon: Listening to the same XM stations that I listen to in my car, it sounded like a 50 year old AM radio. All the sound seemed to be coming from the dash speaker. That might be an exaggeration, but not by much. I checked settings several times. I also did not find any “advanced” setting for the simulated surround that my 2021 has. When I got back into my car the difference was night and day better. And that is not an exaggeration.

As a general comment, the “settings“ menu and overall infotainment system was a big step backwards on ease of use and figuring out where to find various settings. Figuring out the “custom” driving mode settings was so unintuitive that I really had no idea what I was actually changing.

Also, my car has the optional digital dash that is no longer available. I keep mine in the traditional dial “look”. What was a huge step backwards was the information in the center information screen. without going into all the detail, I was very dissapointed in what it shows. And it is hard to navigate.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[JCtx]

On the stereo, it's the software. My '23 sounded a lot better initially, and identical to the '22 3.3T SP I returned... but after the previous update, it was neutered, somehow. I expected the latest update (which I did recently) to fix that, but nope.
On the exhaust valves, the '22 3.3T Sport Prestige I initially bought, droned even with the valves closed. Plus there was no way to independently open or close them, like I could do with my Mustang Bullitt, and with 4 different settings (it sounded incredible). Plus the V6 (like all V6s) sounded like crap with the valves open, and droned even more. And they stayed open in sport mode, which is the only way to drive these cars IMO (normal mode is crap). Then it felt weaker than the 2.0T around town (low-end torque). Bottom line was when I got to my house, we both regretted buying the car... but then we were saved. Ha ha. Entering the garage heard a horrible noise coming from the engine, coming from 2 places. One could have been the PCV valve, but there was a more disturbing noise coming from below (probably a main bearing), so immediately called the GM of the dealership, and told him I wanted to return the car, and get my check back. After buying 9 vehicles there, and picking up a new '22 SF Calligraphy when we returned the G70, he didn't give me grief, which was appreciated. So got my check back, and ordered a 2.0T Sport Prestige instead, and saved like 7 grand in the process. Lost the HUD, Napa leather, 360, and Alcantara-like headliner, but the interior on our 2.0T is actually nicer than the 3.3T IMO. And other than not having 2 fake exhaust tips (just a real dual one), looks identical, down to the wheels and tires. And it handles better, with less weight in front. It does 100 effortlessly, and quick enough, so happy with it.

As far as the infotainment, I actually find it quite intuitive, but not perfect, of course. But my ex-21 Palisade Calligraphy had it, the '22 Santa Fe Calligraphy has it, and now the '23 G70 has it, so I'm quite used to it by now. My suggestion is to keep your '21, because the new exhaust with valves is a deal-breaker for me, and it's standard on top trims. Glad I didn't have to live with that car. And I'm a car guy. Ha ha. I-4s and V6s sound like crap IMO, so better quiet.

 

[jjsC6]

I didn’t hear any droning. The car sounded just like my car. Which means I hear nothing that sounds like the valves are opening. I’ve owned three cars with dual mode exhaust and there was never any doubt that the valves were opening on those cars.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[JCtx]

Did you put it in sport mode? I could absolutely hear when the valves opened. And the drone could have been drowned out by the fake exhaust noise thru the speakers. I turned that crap off since day 1 on both cars. But it was annoying; not a pleasant exhaust sound. It was plain noise. My wife complained immediately, asking 'What the hell is that noise?'.

 

[jjsC6]

Did you put it in sport mode? I could absolutely hear when the valves opened. And the drone could have been drowned out by the fake exhaust noise thru the speakers. I turned that crap off since day 1 on both cars. But it was annoying; not a pleasant exhaust sound. It was plain noise. My wife complained immediately, asking 'What the hell is that noise?'.

Yes, I put it in Sport and Sport plus quite a few times.