Cutting-Edge Cars: The Latest Tech on Wheels
Technological innovation has revolutionized the automotive industry, and today’s cars are packed with features once relegated to science fiction. From advanced driver-assistance systems to luxurious in-cabin entertainment, the vehicles available in 2024 showcase the pinnacle of automotive tech.
This article highlights some of the most technologically advanced vehicles on the market, examining their key features, overall scores from U.S. News & World Report, and base prices. Keep in mind that the listed base prices don’t always include the cost of the latest tech features, which can increase the final price.
Note: U.S. News & World Report constantly updates its vehicle scores as new data becomes available. The scores listed here may therefore differ from those found elsewhere on the site.
2024 Tesla Model S
- Base Price: $72,990
- Overall Score: 7.5/10
The Tesla Model S, a luxury electric car, embraces technology in its design. It features a large 17-inch touchscreen that dominates the dashboard, complemented by a 12.3-inch display for the driver and a 9.4-inch display in the back for passengers. This model offers gaming capabilities and wireless controller support.
Additional tech features include a digital key function accessible via smartphone, internet streaming radio, and a premium 22-speaker audio system.
2024 Audi A8
- Base Price: $90,900
- Overall Score: 7.9/10
The Audi A8, a luxury large car, boasts a compelling suite of tech features. Within the cabin are two touchscreens: a 10.1-inch display and an 8.6-inch display, both providing sharp graphics and responsive performance. One of these screens features handwriting recognition.
The A8 offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. Wireless device charging comes standard. Furthermore, the car’s 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system elevates the listening experience.
Audi’s remote park assist, which automatically maneuvers the car into parking spaces, adds more convenience. This feature can even be activated via a smartphone.
2024 BMW iX
- Base Price: $87,100
- Overall Score: 8.2/10
The iX, a luxury electric SUV designed for tech enthusiasts, offers augmented-reality navigation for effortless route guidance. An optional 30-speaker Bowers & Wilkins stereo is available, but even the standard 12-speaker stereo is impressive. Other standard features include wireless smartphone integration, navigation, wireless device charging, and voice recognition.
This SUV has a standard 516-horsepower powertrain with an available upgrade to 610 horsepower. It can travel up to 324 miles on a single charge.
2024 Genesis GV60
- Base Price: $52,000
- Overall Score: 8.2/10
The Genesis GV60 features Face Connect, a technology that unlocks the car using facial recognition. This is activated by touching the door handle and looking into the vehicle’s door-mounted camera. The GV60 also provides fingerprint recognition.
Tech amenities include a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and wireless device charging and helpful driver aids like a head-up display and vehicle-exit warning.
2024 Tesla Model 3
- Base Price: $38,990
- Overall Score: 8.4/10
The Tesla Model 3 is a luxury electric car with tech-forward features. It boasts a 15.4-inch touchscreen with impressive graphics, and a rear 8-inch touchscreen offers second-row passengers access to audio, climate and infotainment controls. Note that this specific feature is available starting with models manufactured after February 2024.
The Model 3 is also available with the Smart Summon feature, allowing drivers to move the car to a desired location using a smartphone app, as long as they are within 213 feet of the car.
2024 Lucid Air
- Base Price: $69,900
- Overall Score: 8.5/10
The Lucid Air offers a class-leading driving range, traveling up to 516 miles on a full charge. All models have a 34-inch Glass Cockpit display, including various screens. A power-retracting center screen houses climate controls and other functions. Navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay are also standard.
Standard features include constant over-the-air updates that improve the technology over time, wireless device charging and a 10-speaker stereo, with an available 21-speaker audio system. The Air also comes with a highway assist feature, which combines adaptive cruise control with lane-centering and traffic-jam assist.
2024 BMW 7 Series
- Base Price: $96,400
- Overall Score: 8.7/10
The BMW 7 Series introduces exciting tech features. The available Panoramic Sky Lounge LED Roof uses multi-color lighting to illuminate the interior. Rear Executive Lounge seating adds a 31-inch second-row screen for rear-seat passengers.
Standard features include a 14.9-inch touchscreen, navigation, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless device charging and an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system. An optional 40-speaker Bowers & Wilkins stereo is also available.
2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Base Price: $62,300
- Overall Score: 8.7/10
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, available in sedan and wagon variants, comes with innovative technology throughout. All models include navigation with augmented video, where directions are overlaid directly onto the image, simplifying navigation. The E-Class can be equipped with a Burmester 4D Surround Sound stereo with Dolby Atmos.
2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
- Base Price: $117,300
- Overall Score: 8.8/10
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class emphasizes technology to enhance passenger comfort. Its 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen allows users to personalize up to 800 settings and create up to seven user profiles. An augmented reality navigation system is standard, as are wireless smartphone integration and wireless device charging. Options include a 30-speaker Burmester audio system and a rear-seat entertainment system.
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning
- Base Price: $54,995
- Overall Score: 9.2/10
The Ford F-150 Lightning is the electric version of Ford’s popular F-150 pickup. It offers up to 580 horsepower, 775 pound-feet of torque, and the ability to tow up to 10,000 pounds. This Ford can travel up to 320 miles on a full battery charge.
One of the standout features is its ability to serve as a home generator during power outages, with the extended-range battery providing up to 10 days of power. Standard tech features include wireless smartphone integration, navigation, and a 12-inch touchscreen. Available options consist of wireless device charging, a 15.5-inch touchscreen, and an 8-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.
2024 Lamborghini Revuelto
- Base Price: $604,363
- Overall Score: N/A
The Lamborghini Revuelto, the newest addition to the Lamborghini lineup, is equipped with a hybrid powertrain generating 1,001 horsepower. It features three screens to display essential vehicle information. An 8.4-inch infotainment screen controls most functions, with displays providing performance data and a digital gauge cluster. Amazon Alexa and wireless smartphone integration also come standards.
2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre
- Base Price: $422,750
- Overall Score: N/A
The Spectre is Rolls-Royce’s inaugural electric vehicle. All models have a dual-motor powertrain that generates 577 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. Unique high-tech features include fiber-optic lights on the headliner, door panels and armrests designed to mimic a night sky.
Its 1,400-watt, 18-speaker Bespoke Audio sound system delivers flawless sound, complementing the cabin’s luxurious finish. The Spectre has a range of 291 miles on a full charge and comes with a digital gauge display and adaptive cruise control.
2024 Bentley Bentayga
- Base Price: $203,200
- Overall Score: N/A
The Bentley Bentayga, an ultra-luxury SUV, offers Green Traffic Light Prediction. This system provides a countdown in seconds for when the traffic light will change at the next junction, allowing drivers to adjust their speed accordingly. The Bentayga also features a 10.9-inch infotainment screen and smartphone integration. An optional entertainment system offers two 10.2-inch displays mounted to the front-seat headrests.
These vehicles represent the leading edge of automotive technology, with features designed to enhance the driving experience and provide convenience and entertainment. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovative features in the years to come, further transforming how we interact with our cars.
