Must-Have Car Tech for the Modern Driver
Automotive technology has come a long way, mirroring the rapid advancements we see in smartphones, game consoles, and computers. There’s simply too much cool tech available these days. As an avid automotive journalist, my “can’t-live-without-it” list keeps growing. Here are my must-have features when I’m shopping for a new car.
1. Advanced Backup Cameras & Parking Sensors
I consider myself a skilled driver with close to two decades of experience, and I’ve only been involved in one minor accident. I’ve also had the privilege of driving numerous vehicles for reviews. Even with my experience, I find myself relying on backup cameras and parking sensors. There’s simply no substitute for the ability to see and hear what’s behind you when driving. Navigating tight spaces and crowded parking lots becomes so much easier with a quality backup camera and integrated sensors. As a parent, it also offers peace of mind.
While backup cameras are mandatory on all new cars sold in the US after May 2018, not all cameras are created equal. Furthermore, if you’re buying a used car, it may not have a camera at all. That’s why when I shop for a car, I focus on having a high-resolution camera with a large in-dash screen, offering clear visibility of the area behind my car.
2. Passive Keyless Entry
As a family man, you’d think that having a large vehicle, a spacious trunk or durable construction would be on my must-have list, but I can live without all those things. As a father of a toddler, however, what I cannot live without is passive keyless entry.
A key fob with remote entry is a great convenience, but passive keyless entry provides unbeatable ease. You don’t know how full your hands are until you’re trying to load a toddler and all their gear into the car. Dealing with an older child simultaneously makes it all the more difficult. I have better things to do than dig around for my keys.
While convenient, keyless entry systems can be vulnerable to theft. Thieves can use portable devices to trick the car into thinking a genuine key fob is nearby, unlocking the car. If your car has keyless entry, investing in a quality immobilizer or tracking system is wise.
3. Climate Controlled Seats
While I can do without a heated steering wheel or ventilated seats, I wouldn’t want to live without heated seats. This preference might reveal something about my age, and the state of my back! But whether you have old bones or just ache like them, heated seats are essential. There’s nothing worse than a cold start on single-digit-degree days, then sitting in the driver’s seat only to have your face blasted with freezing cold air. In moments like these, heated seats are a godsend.
Modern heated seats offer more than simple on/off functionality. Newer vehicles offer heated seat designs that recall your preference to interactive app-based controls like those found on Teslas.
4. Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
I don’t fully trust myself to navigate using road signs alone, so a reliable navigation system is a must. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto solve the problems that come with both built-in sat-nav systems and trying to use your phone as one. The main problem with manufacturer-provided navigation is that they don’t rival the speed of updates you find on Google and Apple Maps. I’m also a music addict. Thus, the ability to use my phone’s Spotify, Waze, and Google Maps apps on the car’s infotainment screen is a significant bonus.
These systems solve the issue of having to mount your phone. Your phone simply links to your car without any additional equipment.
By now, almost all new vehicles feature these systems right in the dashboard. However, there are also options to add them, like replacing the car’s head unit or purchasing a simpler add-on.
5. Adaptive Cruise Control
While some may see adaptive cruise control as a luxury, I find it to be a real blessing. I spend a lot of time behind the wheel, including considerable time on congested highways. Having a car handle braking and accelerating – albeit with me keeping a watchful eye – turns long journeys into more relaxing experiences. The technology constantly adapts. Since its introduction, adaptive cruise control has advanced rapidly, and now, vehicles can pace themselves in traffic, predict lane changes, and adjust speed to road conditions.
6. Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) is a vital safety feature because it saves lives. This technology monitors traffic and road conditions ahead, warning the driver of potential collisions and automatically applying the brakes if the driver doesn’t react in time. Unlike most advanced car tech, AEB systems don’t cost manufacturers a lot of money. This has led to AEB becoming increasingly common on newer cars. AEB could have an impact as profound as the seat belt. Many AEB systems feature pedestrian detection.
7. Wireless Charging
Wireless charging is a must-have. It’s a convenient way to charge your phone while driving and eliminates the need to fumble with cables. Combining wireless charging with smartphone integration via wireless CarPlay or Android Auto makes for a quality-of-life upgrade. Although this is on my personal list, I only recently experienced wireless charging, as my current vehicle is the first to have it.
Wireless charging can take longer than wired charging, and you must carefully position your phone for proper charging. The process can also generate heat.
8. Blind-Spot Detection & Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert are essential safety features on today’s crowded roads and parking lots. Blind-spot detection systems use sensors to detect vehicles in the driver’s blind spot, providing warnings if they attempt to change lanes. Rear cross-traffic alert uses sensors to detect approaching vehicles when reversing out of a parking spot, alerting the driver to potential hazards.
9. Automatic & Adaptive Headlights
Automatic headlights are a convenient feature, turning on and off automatically depending on the surrounding light conditions. More advanced headlight systems switch automatically between high and low beams, providing optimal lighting. Adaptive headlights can adjust to the road by following curves and illuminating obstacles.
The only drawback is that advanced headlight systems can be more expensive to maintain due to their intricate features.
10. A Premium Sound System
You don’t need a great sound system in your car, but once you’ve spent time with one, you’ll wonder how you managed without it. Even the most basic modern cars are equipped with specific sound systems. Modern cars feature smartphone integration. What’s the point of having all the wonderful tech we’ve discussed, like smartphone integration, automatic alerts, and access to all the music, podcasts and audiobooks if you have to listen to it through a lackluster system?
Entry-level in-car audio has improved dramatically, and top-end systems are impressive because automakers partner with well-known names in the music business, like Audi (Bang & Olufsen), BMW (Harmon Kardon), Jaguar Land Rover (Meridian), and Volvo (Bowers & Wilkins).
I recently purchased the 2021 Tesla Model 3 Performance with a wealth of tech. I can even control key functions from the Tesla app on my Apple Watch. While I’m happy to have a vehicle that fits so many things on my car-tech wish list, I always keep an eye on the next wave of tech and how it can make every minute I spend in my car even more enjoyable.
