Technology New Car Buyers Want
- Image Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images
Connected Car Technology
Today's cars and trucks are packed with more technology than ever before. Because that's what consumers want, right? Perhaps not.
A recent study from J.D. Power and Associates found that there is a not of in-car tech that drivers say they never use, including in-vehicle concierge services, mobile routers, automatic parking systems, head-up displays, and built-in apps.
There are a few specific vehicular technologies that owners say they do want in their new cars, though. Click on the image above to find out the most-wanted in-car technology in 2015.
- Image Credit: Buick
Vehicle Health Monitor
Owners like in-car vehicle health monitor systems, such as the one displayed here from Buick. This technology continuously runs diagnostics on all the assorted oily bits that keep cars running, and they report problems when anything comes back with abnormal ratings. Everything from oil change intervals to tire pressures can be monitored by cars with this technology, and some can even schedule appointments for routine maintenance as it is required.
Want to know what else new-car buyers want? Click on the image above.
- Image Credit: Volvo
Blind Spot Monitoring
Drivers want to be alert to what's around them, and that's especially true of their blind spots. In 2003, Volvo introduced its Blind Spot Information System, which uses cameras and radar to watch for vehicles coming up from behind in the next lane. When a car enters into the danger area, a small light in the cabin illuminates, and in some systems, an audible warning beep is heard. As this technology advances further, some cars are capable of shaking the steering wheel or seat.
Click above for the next in-car technology that drivers want in their cars.
- Image Credit: Mercedes-Benz
Adaptive Cruise Control
On long stretches of relatively straight highway, lots of drivers love to use cruise control. But what happens when your car is traveling at speeds higher than the cars in front of you?
Adaptive cruise control is capable of monitoring your car's surroundings, and slowing down from the driver's set speed when necessary. When the road opens back up, a car equipped with adaptive cruise control will speed itself back up to the desired speed without any additional input from the driver.
High-end manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz are further improving adaptive cruise control so that it works in more situations than ever before, and potentially avoiding or minimizing accidents when cars are stopped on the road ahead.