Today, cars are more intuitive than ever. Even looking back at cars five years ago, you’ll notice drastic changes in safety, convenience, and performance features. And, it just keeps getting better and better. Whether you’re a first-time car buyer or you’re ready to buy your tenth, here’s the rundown on all the technology to expect when you buy a new car this year.
Safety Features
New cars are safer than ever. A car from only a few years ago has completely different safety ratings than new cars for sale today, and that’s a good thing. It means you, your friends, and your family can drive knowing their car has their back. As you look for a new vehicle, expect some of these safety features to come along:
- Blind Spot Detectors: We’ve all had the heart-dropping moment where we begin to change a lane and notice a car in our blind spot. With blind-spot detectors, your car will warn you through a series of beeps if someone is driving by your side. Additionally, many blind spot detectors can identify lane lines, so if you happen to drift to the side while changing the stereo, your car will let you know.
- 360-Degree Cameras: Many cars now come with 360-degree cameras that give you a top-down view of your car. With a camera like this, you’ll be able to back your giant SUV out of the tight parking space without scratching the car next to you. Some cars even come with dash cams, too, so you can have solid evidence in the event of a collision.
- Traffic Sign Recognition: It’s easy to zone out on the highway and miss an important traffic sign that warns you of construction ahead. Traffic sign recognition acts as a second pair of eyes to keep you alert on speed limits, construction, and other warnings.
- Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking: You can never fully anticipate another person’s move. Whether the neighborhood kids’ basketball rolls into the road or a downtown shopper ignores the crosswalk, pedestrian automatic emergency braking will help your car stop on a dime.
Convenience Features
Driving isn’t just driving anymore… it’s an experience. There are dozens of intuitive convenience features that make driving pleasurable. Take a look at what cars like new Honda models have to offer:
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay: Google and Apple, two of the largest tech giants in the world, are now in your car. These mobile device features can connect your mobile phone to your car’s entertainment system to bring your music, navigation, and apps to life.
- Head-Up Display: Whether you’re driving along backroads, or you’re stuck in stop-and-go traffic, taking your eyes off the road for even a second can cause an accident. With a head-up display, all important information such as your speed, fuel levels, and navigation can be displayed right on your windshield, so you never get distracted again.
- Multizone Climate Systems: It’s hard to please everyone in the car. Some people are always hot, while others are always wrapped up in a blanket. Multizone climate systems allow passengers to adjust heating and cooling levels wherever they are in the car, leaving everyone satisfied.
- WiFi Hotspot: Our world is run on the web, which is why many car manufacturers now install WiFi hotspots into their models so passengers can stay connected even when they’re on the go.
- Navigation Systems: Sad, but true, many young people have no clue how to read a map, thanks to navigation systems. However, this doesn’t have to be a bad thing (unless you’re trapped in the middle of the woods). Navigation systems allow drivers to get to and from destinations quickly and safely, without having to glance down and read the fine print on a map anymore.
Performance Features
The interior specs aren’t the only enhancements new cars come with. Today’s cars know how to go the distance with cutting edge technological advancements that improve fuel efficiency while still adding more power. Here’s how:
- Fuel Economy: We all know climate change is slowly changing our planet (for the worse). That’s why many car companies are focused on creating cars that don’t rely on harmful fossil fuels that destroy the ozone layer. Today’s cars can drive further on less gas, and can even be powered by electricity or biofuels.
- More Horsepower: Just because a car uses less gas doesn’t mean it can’t be as powerful. Newer engines have features like adjusted air-fuel mixtures, remapped ignition timings, increased max engine output, and decreased exhaustion (to name a few), to give cars more power while returning fantastic fuel economy.
Wrapping Up
Technology is not only changing how we work, stay connected, and learn, but how we drive as well. If you’re looking for a new car, these safety, convenience, and performance features will blow you away.