Automotive technology evolves at a relatively rapid pace. No, they’re not flying … yet. But if you consider the connectivity that carmakers are putting in your dash currently, we’ve only been enjoying that type of responsiveness in our living rooms for 10 years. And that’s just the start.

All of this innovation means exciting options for consumers. Advancements impact three key aspects of you driving the open road: entertainment, safety and comfort. So as you walk the dealership lots looking for your new car this summer, be sure to ask about all the bells-and-whistles options.

Car infotainment

With continual smartphone integration, car buyers can expect to experience the best of both worlds in combining their favorite apps with their everyday driving experience. And while manufacturers work hard to continuously improve their infotainment system, many customers prefer to simply connect their smartphones directly to their cars via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Cellphone companies are focusing on the end user, too, providing mobile phone interfaces that are familiar and maximize user-friendliness, a huge advantage for new car buyers who get to enjoy their smartphone interfaces integrated into their daily drives. This means familiar experiences to access music, maps, messaging and other helpful apps show up on your car’s infotainment screen.

Safety alert

Safety is paramount when shopping for your next vehicle and technology in that area has come a long way from reactive seat belts and automated air bag systems. A number of safety features included in new vehicles are often now considered standard equipment. The focus on safety by car manufacturers has equipped every new car with tools to help keep you safe in an accident as well as reduced the number of accidents with other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Check the specs of the car that has your eye. See if it comes standard with:

Automatic Emergency Braking systems kick in if the vehicle detects an imminent crash. Using built-in sensors, it automatically applies the brakes to help decrease the chance of impact or reduce impact. This feature often includes very loud and jarring alerts to get the driver’s attention.
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is an essential complement to backup cameras. The built-in sensors detect cross traffic and alerts drivers with a series of loud beeps and sometimes flashing lights.
Lane Departure Warning uses the car’s cameras to detect if a car begins to drift out of a marked lane and alerts the driver with visible and audible notifications. Sometimes alerts include vibrations in the seats.
Lane Keep Assist is similar to lane departure warning, but includes the added benefit of a gentle steering assist to keep the vehicle in its lane.
Teen Driver Technology is popular among parents with new teen drivers and helps provide certain limitations and reporting to ensure their teen is driving as safely as possible.

So who’s leading the way in some of the technology listed above? There are several frontrunners and one of the manufacturers leading the charge is Nissan with their ProPILOT Assist. ProPILOT Assist takes lane departure assistance and combines it with adaptive cruise control to help keep your vehicle in the center of your driving lane and maintain a set speed.

While auto emergency braking has become a more standard featured, very few manufacturers provide a REVERSE emergency braking feature. The 2019 Subaru Ascent offers Reverse Automatic Braking, which senses objects behind you when you’re backing up at a low speed. Four sensors recognize these objects and apply the brakes when necessary.

Easy rider

A vehicle’s comfort features are not to be overlooked. Given the amount of time drivers spend in their cars, having the latest and greatest comfort features make for much more enjoyable ride.

Many vehicles now come with standard heated seats, but there’s nothing like having cooled seats during the hot summers. Car manufacturers are now including massage seats that provide stimulation, helping a driver avoid fatigue by keeping the blood moving.

Another stellar comfort feature is auto-climate adjust. Paired with a vehicle’s remote-start feature, auto-climate adjust automatically turns on the vehicles climate control to either cool down or warm up the car. This adjustable feature can be fine-tuned to a customer’s preference and often includes turning on the heated/cooled seats, as well as the heated steering wheel (if equipped)

The time is now …

If you are considering a new vehicle purchase, you will be accessing the latest and greatest technology and comfort features currently on the market. And as manufacturers continue to improve and one-up each other, the customer benefits. Make sure to explore all the features available and consider how much time you’ll be in your vehicles.

Looking to buy a new car with some of these incredible features? The Credit Union is ready to help you put your dream in drive. To find out more about special loan offers on new vehicles, visit our Auto Loans page.