Technology is rapidly transforming the family car, introducing a suite of features aimed at making the lives of parents and children easier. Automakers, with busy families in mind, are incorporating little luxuries that make a big difference in the everyday driving experience. Here’s a look at some of the best options available in today’s market.
Talking to the Backseat
Families with multiple children, especially those involved in carpools, recognize the value of a third-row seat. SUVs and minivans with this feature provide extra space, which parents often appreciate. However, the distance between the driver and the back row can make it difficult to communicate without shouting. Many family cars now address this problem by allowing the driver to use the in-vehicle speakers to communicate with passengers in the back, using a normal speaking voice.
An added benefit is that when the driver activates the intercom, any other entertainment audio in the car is muted. This feature goes by various names, including Honda’s Cabin Talk, Subaru’s Cabin Connect, and Hyundai’s Driver Talk. The overarching sentiment? ‘Why didn’t someone think of this sooner?’
Seat Arrangement Options
For some families, seat placement is a key consideration. The Honda Odyssey, for instance, has a ‘Magic Slide’ second row, allowing the three individual seats to slide forward, backward, and side to side. The center seat can even be removed to provide more space for the remaining two.
Similarly, the Ford Expedition enables parents to adjust the second-row seats, creating individual zones for children or allowing them to be moved together for easier access to the back row.
Voice-Activated Assistants
Several car models now integrate voice assistants, eliminating the need to use a phone. Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Mini, Volvo, BMW, Genesis, and Audi offer basic functionality where the driver can press a button and inquire about the weather, operate the car’s sound system, and adjust the temperature. Toyota, Lexus, and Mercedes cars take it a step further, allowing anyone in the car to say, ‘Hey Toyota,’ ‘Hey Mercedes,’ or ‘Hey Lexus’ to activate the feature.
Some Mercedes models have simplified this process even more, allowing drivers to issue commands directly. For example, a driver can simply say, ‘Turn on the heated massage in the passenger seat,’ and the feature activates. Mercedes’ voice assistant might even share a few jokes.
Teen Driver Technology
One of the most challenging aspects of vehicle ownership comes when teenagers start driving. Chevy’s Teen Driver Technology offers parents more control by allowing them to assign specific key fobs with restrictions. Limits can be set for maximum speed and audio volume. Parents can also require seatbelts to be fastened before the car shifts gears, and the radio can be disabled until seatbelts are fastened.
Chevy also gives parents the option for a driving report after a teen driver returns home. This can include the distance driven, top speed, stability control events, antilock brake events, and forward collision alerts, helping parents monitor their teen’s driving habits. Certain Genesis models allow parents to set a curfew alert on their phones, notifying them if a car is driven after a set time. Genesis cars also give the option of establishing geo-fence restrictions on the vehicle, alerting the parent’s phone if the vehicle goes outside of a prescribed geographical area.
Electric Window Shades
Many parents have experienced the struggle of trying to shade a child from bright sunlight streaming into the car window. Recognizing this common situation, some automakers have incorporated electric window shades for the rear windows. These shades roll up and down, similar to the functionality of a window, and can be found in some Toyota and Genesis models, providing a convenient solution.
