The Smartest Cars Out There

Without even getting into the subject of fully autonomous vehicles, it is clear that cars are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Fifty years ago, many vehicles did not even come equipped with seat belts. Today, cars can feature intelligent parking assistance and a wide range of electronic systems that have quickly become standard features we expect to find in new models. Automotive technology continues to develop rapidly, and many of these advances are now being incorporated into mass-produced vehicles.

Rear Reversing Camera

Rear-facing cameras have evolved far beyond simple parking sensors that warn you with a series of beeps. Modern systems can provide a view of up to 180 degrees behind the vehicle and often include visual parking guidelines to help drivers position the car accurately.

The Nissan Juke N-Connecta 2017 is an example of how this type of camera can be integrated into a vehicle. However, a reversing camera should never replace checking your mirrors. Its view can also become unclear when the lens is covered by rain or water.

All Terrain Driving

Modern vehicles can use automatic sensors to adjust their driving behavior according to the surface and terrain. Mercedes-Benz, for example, uses its 4MATIC system to provide this type of adaptable driving capability.

This technology works together with systems such as anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control. By adjusting aspects such as suspension behavior and vehicle speed, the system can help the car transition between paved roads and rougher off-road surfaces more smoothly.

Car Wi-Fi

In an increasingly connected world, having a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot can be a useful feature for drivers and passengers. Audi Connect is one example of an automotive system that provides this type of connectivity, with similar technology being introduced across more vehicles in the Audi lineup.

Major automobile manufacturers had already been developing in-car internet connectivity as far back as 2010, but built-in Wi-Fi has only become a widely recognized and commonly available vehicle feature in more recent years.

GPS Tracking

Vehicles equipped with built-in satellite navigation can potentially provide location information, but dedicated GPS tracking has increasingly become available as a companion feature that owners can access through a smartphone application.

This technology can be particularly useful if a vehicle is stolen, allowing its owner to check where the car is located even while traveling abroad. It can also help parents keep track of where their children have driven when they are using the family vehicle.

Parental Control

That brings us to another increasingly useful technology: parental controls. These systems go well beyond traditional child safety locks on vehicle doors. Some modern vehicle systems allow parents to remotely manage certain aspects of how their children use the car, including speed limits and audio volume.

Ford's MyKey system is an example of this type of technology. It is available on selected models and is designed to give vehicle owners greater control over how younger or less experienced drivers operate the car. Such a feature can be particularly helpful when a child has recently obtained their driver's license.

Night Vision

Night vision technology has been available in vehicles for many years, with Cadillac introducing a night-vision system as early as 2000. Mercedes-Benz later developed its Night Vision Assist system into Night Vision Assist Plus.

The updated system is designed to identify pedestrians in low-light conditions and indicate their locations on the vehicle's dashboard display. BMW has also developed a comparable night-vision system, giving drivers additional assistance when visibility is limited after dark.