Affordable Cars Loaded with Cutting-Edge Tech
New cars are packed with surprisingly innovative technology. While some features, like smartphone integration, are commonplace, automakers are developing exciting new features to make driving safer, easier, and more enjoyable. This article highlights some of the best high-tech vehicles available today at various price points.
Note: Vehicle scores and rankings fluctuate throughout the year as fresh data becomes available. Consequently, the scores presented here may not match those in each vehicle’s comprehensive review.
2024 Hyundai Elantra
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.1/10
The 2024 Hyundai Elantra offers a blend of sporty performance, a great warranty, and an accessible starting price. However, it’s the impressive suite of standard safety technologies that truly sets it apart from its competitors. These features are not always found in vehicles in this class.
Beyond expected features such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, all Elantra models come equipped with rear cross-traffic automatic braking, driver-attention monitoring, and a safe exit warning. The safe exit warning can alert drivers and passengers to potential hazards when exiting the vehicle.
Upper trim levels provide even more advanced safety tech, including automatic emergency braking with cyclist detection and junction-turning detection. These features can help prevent collisions.
Top trims include Highway Drive Assist, a system that coordinates steering, braking, and acceleration on certain interstate highways offering a more relaxed driving experience.
2024 Nissan Rogue
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
The 2024 Nissan Rogue features updated styling and a cutting-edge 1.5-liter variable compression turbocharged engine, or VC-Turbo. This engine adjusts its performance to match the driver’s needs, balancing fuel efficiency with brisk acceleration.
The Rogue also includes standard rear automatic braking, which is valuable safety tech. Upper trim levels feature Nissan’s ProPilot Assist semi-automated driving technology, which is less commonly found in this class.
The Rogue offers a roomy two-row cabin that seats five. It’s a top-tier choice in the compact SUV segment, offering a blend of technology and practicality.
2024 Subaru Forester
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
In addition to standard all-wheel drive, the 2024 Subaru Forester boasts many features designed to enhance safety and provide help in challenging conditions. All 2024 Forester models come equipped with an updated version of the EyeSight suite of advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies.
Most Forester models include X-Mode, a technology designed to optimize traction in less-than-ideal conditions. The X-Mode system incorporates hill descent control, which assists in maintaining control on slippery slopes. Some trims have Subaru’s new Dual X-Mode technology, which works in a greater range of situations.
Top-trim models are available with rear automatic braking to prevent collisions when backing up.
2024 Toyota Sienna
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.1/10
Minivans often integrate advanced technology to enhance safety and entertainment. The 2024 Toyota Sienna takes it a step further with impressive fuel economy and the availability of all-wheel drive.
The 2024 Sienna features a 245-horsepower hybrid powertrain. The available all-wheel-drive system uses an electric motor to power the rear wheels, eliminating the need for a mechanical driveshaft. This results in more interior space.
In EPA testing, the Sienna achieves fuel economy estimates as high as 36 mpg combined. This is a significant improvement over some competitors.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA
U.S. News Overall Score: 7.8/10
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA makes this list as one of the more affordable models in Mercedes-Benz lineup by offering the impressive Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, along with a standard mild-hybrid powertrain for 2024.
The GLA is equipped with dual 10.25-inch screens featuring augmented reality navigation. This system displays an image of the road ahead, superimposing navigation cues and location information over the image.
The GLA comes with a head-up display (HUD), which projects critical driving information onto the windshield within the driver’s line of sight. This feature allows the driver to monitor their speed and navigation details without taking their eyes off the road.
2024 Nissan Versa
U.S. News Overall Score: 7.5/10
The 2024 Nissan Versa is one of the most affordable new cars available today. Despite its low price, it comes packed with technology.
Every Versa features rear automatic braking as standard, a feature that is uncommon in most vehicle classes. Also standard are forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights.
While the Versa’s engine isn’t the most powerful, its impressive fuel economy will help you save money. It is estimated to get up to 32 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.6/10
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is a seven-seat crossover that has been fully redesigned for 2024. The Santa Fe stands out as a tech-forward vehicle. A long list of safety technology, plus optional features not often found in this class, come with the vehicle.
One of these features is Hyundai’s blind-spot view camera. When a turn signal is activated, a camera view of the blind spot appears in the instrument panel.
The Santa Fe also comes standard with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid brings a wealth of technology to the minivan market. The plug-in hybrid powertrain provides up to 32 miles of electric-only range before effortlessly switching to efficient hybrid driving.
Available Amazon Fire TV integration allows you to stream content to the van’s second-row touch screens.
A 10.1-inch Uconnect infotainment system, with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa support, comes standard, as does a tri-zone automatic climate control system. Premium audio systems with up to 20 speakers are available.
2024 Kia Carnival
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.2/10
The Kia Carnival minivan offers a diverse range of high-tech features, including strong passenger connectivity and an extensive array of safety technologies. The 2024 Kia Carnival seats up to eight passengers.
An available cabin-view camera allows parents to monitor what’s happening in the backseats, including night vision capabilities. The van includes a cabin intercom and allows passengers to use voice commands for select functions. The available dual-screen rear-seat infotainment system can wirelessly mirror content from Apple and Android devices.
The Carnival’s safety features include a rear-seat occupant alert system, which alerts the driver to check the backseats before exiting the vehicle.
2024 Ford Bronco Sport
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.2/10
The 2024 Ford Bronco Sport gives advanced off-road tech at an affordable price point. The Bronco Sport features Ford’s G.O.A.T. Mode technology (Goes Over Any Terrain).
The G.O.A.T. modes electronically configure the Bronco Sport to tackle different types of terrain or driving conditions.
Bronco Sports are also available with Trail Control, that acts like an off-road cruise control system.
All Bronco Sport models include the Ford CoPilot360 suite of advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies.
2024 Nissan Altima
U.S. News Overall Score: 7.5/10
The 2024 Nissan Altima is one of the most affordable sedans that offers advanced semi-automated driving technology. Nissan’s ProPilot Assist is available on mid-tier Altimas and above.
ProPilot Assist controls the sedan’s steering, braking, and acceleration under certain conditions. While it requires the driver to keep their hands on the wheel, it can reduce fatigue on long drives.
Upper trims of the Altima are also available with all-wheel drive and rear automatic braking.
2024 Toyota Venza
The Toyota Venza is a five-seat hybrid crossover equipped with an array of standard driver-assistance and safety technologies.
The Venza can be equipped with a Star Gaze panoramic roof, a feature that is uncommon in mainstream crossovers.
Power comes from a 219-horsepower hybrid powertrain, and all-wheel drive is standard.
2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.6/10
The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid delivers a range of high-tech features for its price point including two available powertrains and standard all-wheel drive. You can choose between a traditional hybrid powertrain and a plug-in hybrid system.
All models include a 10.25-inch touch-screen infotainment system that is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. For 2024, the Tucson Hybrid also gets standard haptic steering wheel feedback.
Hyundai offers the Tucson Hybrid Remote Smart Park Assist. The system allows drivers to park their SUV in tight spaces from outside of the vehicle.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette
U.S. News Overall Score: 9.0/10
The mid-engine 2024 Chevrolet Corvette offers exceptional performance and technology at a competitive price compared to other sports cars.
The Corvette is powered by a V8 engine paired with a high-tech eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The car is available with a Magnetic Ride Control system and a nose-lift system.
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
The 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee, it has a plug-in hybrid option (the 4xe), which can travel up to 26 miles using electricity alone.
The Grand Cherokee features options not available in class rivals, such as a night vision camera. It’s Uconnect 5 infotainment system features a 10.1-inch central screen and a 10.25-inch front passenger screen. The dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system can stream Amazon Fire TV content.
Being a Jeep, the Grand Cherokee has a variety of off-road technologies.
2023 Hyundai Kona Electric
U.S. News Overall Score: 7.7/10
The 2023 Hyundai Kona EV has a battery-electric powertrain with an EPA-estimated range of 258 miles on a single charge.
The Kona Electric has a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system that supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert come standard along with many other advanced safety technologies.
2024 Kia Seltos
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.5/10
The 2024 Kia Seltos comes standard with a wealth of safety technologies, including lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, driver-attention monitoring, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Seltos is also available with cyclist detection, rear cross-traffic alert and Safe Exit Assist to prevent collisions.
The Seltos is available with Highway Drive Assist. It combines stop-and-go adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist.
2024 Ford Maverick
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
The Ford Maverick pickup is available in an affordable hybrid version and boasts impressive fuel efficiency. The 2024 Ford Maverick equipped with the hybrid powertrain is rated at 42 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA.
All Mavericks support Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and an onboard Wi-Fi hot spot. Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and automatic high-beam headlights come standard.
2024 Audi A3
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
The Audi A3 has a host of high-tech features, including a 10.1-inch MIB 3 touch-screen infotainment system, which supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The Audi has standard tri-zone automatic climate control and an optional 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel.
2024 Rivian R1T
U.S. News Overall Score: 9.0/10
The Rivian R1T is an electric pickup truck with several impressive features, This model leads the rankings due to its innovative design and potent powertrain and is available with up to 835 horsepower.
The R1T’s Gear Tunnel is a cargo area that runs across the width of the vehicle and is perfect for long items.
For more technical features, check out the Kneel Mode and camp leveling features.
2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is currently one of the top-ranked hybrid cars and offers a comfortable interior and elegant design.
The Sonata Hybrid incorporates some cool tech features, including Hyundai’s Digital Key, a smartphone app for Android users that enables the smartphone to operate the vehicle. The car’s owner can digitally give access to friends or family to unlock or even drive the car.
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning
U.S. News Overall Score: 9.0/10
The Ford F-150 Lightning is a fully electric version of the top-selling pickup truck. The Lightning has unique EV-only features. It comes with a choice of two powertrains. We like the Ford Intelligent Backup Power feature, which uses the F-150 Lightning’s onboard generator to power accessories in case of power outages.
2024 Genesis GV80
U.S. News Overall Score: 8.4/10
The Genesis GV80 is a luxury midsize SUV that is known for its spacious cabin, smooth ride, and elegant design.
The Genesis GV80 features an innovative surround-view camera system. The GV80 also has a blind spot monitoring system.
2024 Kia Forte
U.S. News Overall Score: 7.7/10
The Kia Forte is a compact sedan focuses on efficiency and value. It’s well-equipped even in the base trim.
The Forte includes Kia’s Highway Driving Assist system, which offers some semi-autonomous functions.
2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe
U.S. News Overall Score: 6.9/10
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is a plug-in hybrid SUV. The Wrangler 4xe is efficient for a hybrid and is capable on the trails.
Conclusion
Modern cars are technological wonders with more safety, connectivity, and infotainment features than vehicles of the past.
