Today’s cars come with an overwhelming array of gadgets and gizmos. Just which tech features are handy? This post outlines some of the most in-demand and practical mod cons worth considering when shopping for a new car.
Wi-fi connectivity
Having an internet connection in your car could allow you or your passengers to stream music, use GPS, play games or look up local attractions while on the go. While you can use the data on your smartphone, coverage may be limited and you could quickly reach your data cap if multiple devices are tethered to it. This is where an in-built Wi-fi hotspot can come in handy. You can connect your phone or other devices to this hotspot and not have to use up your phone’s data. Some cars may have a more reliable and secure hotspot than others, which is something worth researching into.
In-built GPS system
Instead of having to use GPS through your phone, many modern cars allow you to use built-in GPS through the infotainment display. This is a great feature if you don’t have a phone mount or you don’t want to use your phone’s battery/data, and it can generally be safer because the map is displayed on a larger screen. Other cars may have features like Apple CarPlay that allow you to connect your phone to your car’s infotainment display and use GPS via your phone through the car screen and speakers. Look up car reviews to see how good the built-in GPS is for various car models.
Automatic headlights
Automatic headlights use sensors to automatically turn on or off depending on the light levels outside. Some are even able to adjust the level of brightness depending on just how dark it is. Automatic headlights also turn off for you when you lock your vehicle. This is a handy feature to have if you have a bad habit of accidentally leaving your headlights on. All in all, automatic headlights can prevent you from having to worry about turning on and off your lights, and potentially preserve your car battery. Many modern cars come with this feature.
Parking sensors/back-up camera
One of the most attractive safety features in modern cars is parking sensors or a back-up camera. Parking sensors can help tell you how far away you are from obstacles, which can help with parking. Some new models have sensors on the back, front, and sides. Back-up cameras can meanwhile provide a clear visual idea of what is behind you by displaying live video footage while reversing, which can be useful in taller vehicles. The quality of parking sensors and back-up cameras can vary.
Blind spot monitoring
Many accidents are caused by people changing lanes or pulling out of junctions and not seeing vehicles or pedestrians in their blind spots. Blind spot monitoring is a safety technology that consists of sensors on each wing mirror. These sensors cause lights to flash on your wing mirrors if a vehicle is in your blind spot. This can help you avoid accidentally swerving into a car. Other wing mirror technologies, like wing mirror demister, are also worth looking into.
Traffic sign recognition
Some modern cars come with front-facing cameras that can read traffic signs as you are driving. They are then able to display information on your dashboard, such as the speed limit. This is useful if you accidentally miss a speed limit sign and are unsure as to how fast you should be driving on a certain road. Other forms of road information can also be picked up and conveyed to you to help you better understand the conditions of each road. Such technology is still relatively new, but it is already becoming quite sought after by car buyers.
Heated seats/steering wheel
When it comes to staying comfortable while driving, there are many temperature control features that can be very handy to have. One feature that has become very desirable is heated seats, particularly in cars with leather upholstery. This can help you warm up faster when getting in your car on a cold morning. Some cars also come with heated steering wheels, which can help your hands warm up (useful if you’ve just had to scrape the car). Some vehicles have cooling features for the seating and the steering wheel, which can be useful in summer when a car’s seats and steering wheel can get very hot.
