Family Car Technology: Making Life Easier
The family car is getting a tech upgrade, and it’s all about making life with kids a little smoother.
Parents have a lot on their minds — and family car manufacturers are adding features to make the drive more convenient.
Traffic congestion on a highway
One of the best features is the in-car communication system, which allows the driver to talk to passengers in the back without yelling.
This feature has different names depending on the car manufacturer, such as Honda Cabin Talk, Subaru Cabin Connect, and Hyundai Driver Talk.
For some families, seat adjustments make all the difference. The Honda Odyssey has “Magic Slide” second-row seats that can move forward, backward, and side to side, and even be removed.
The Ford Expedition lets parents slide the seats apart to give kids personal space or slide them together for more room.
Many new cars now have voice assistant capabilities without needing a phone. Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Mini, Volvo, BMW, Genesis, and Audi allow drivers to ask about the weather, control the sound system, and adjust the temperature.
Toyota, Lexus, and Mercedes let anyone in the car activate the feature with a voice command like, “Hey Toyota.” Some Mercedes models let you skip the prompt altogether; you can simply say, “Turn on the heated massage in the passenger seat.”
Teen driver technology is a big help to parents. Chevy’s Teen Driver Technology allows parents to set restrictions on speed, volume, and even require seatbelts for the radio to work or the car to shift gears.
Parents can request a driving report that shows distance, speed, and other driving events.
Some Genesis models have a curfew alert to notify parents if the car is driven after a set time and also offer geo-fence restrictions.
Electric window shades are a small but significant touch. They offer shade for passengers in the back windows.
These are just some great features that make family car life a little easier and more enjoyable.
