Page 54 - 2021 Atlanta Auto Show Guide

Automotive

Technologies

of 2021

By Kelley Blue Book Editors

hese days, the electronic technology you find in a car is almost as important as what’s
Tunder the hood. These systems are key to everything from safety and security to connec-
tivity and communication. And as cars become more sophisticated, it directly affects how you
interact with your vehicle.

We’ve put together this list of the best automotive technologies to look for when buying a new
car. There are safety features on this list that you will hopefully never use but can take comfort in
knowing they’re there. Some make it easier to park, and others to stay connected to the outside
world. The ideal tech features will make life on the road easier without causing driver distraction.

Here is our list of the 10 Best Automotive Technologies of 2021.

1. Advanced Driver Assist Systems 2. Automatic Emergency Braking
Several automakers offer technology that When the car senses that a collision is immi-
can quickly react to hazards, reduce driv- nent, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) ac-
er fatigue, and make life easier in traffic. It tivates your car’s brakes, potentially avoiding
will even park the car for you. These sys- or minimizing an accident. AEB can react faster than a per-
tems often come in bundled suites, such son and can start working before you hit the brakes. If you
as Ford’s Co-Pilot360, Subaru’s EyeSight, are braking and it senses you need to stop sooner, AEB
and Toyota Safety Sense, but many are can also brake harder than the pressure you’re applying.
also standalone options. While AEB is part of many advanced driver assist systems,
this is an essential system that may be a standalone fea-
ture, and it should be considered a high priority. Up to 20
Look for key features, such as: manufacturers have committed to making AEB standard

• Adaptive cruise control: Keeps your vehicle at a across their vehicle lines by September 1, 2022.
set speed but slows down or accelerates to keep a
safe distance from the car in front of you. 3. Connected Mobile Apps/Digital Key
• Lane departure warning: Alerts you when your Our cell phones are a key part of our lives, so it makes per-
car is drifting into another lane. fect sense for carmakers to take advantage of smartphone
• Lane-keep assist: Uses steering to keep your car capability. Most carmakers offer connected smartphone
in the lane. apps, but some are better than others. The most advanced
• Blind-spot alert: Lets you know when there’s a car ones let you remotely lock and unlock the doors, check the
in your blind spot. status of fuel level and tire pressure, and even remotely
• Cross-traffic alert: If you’re backing out of a park- start the car – which is especially nice on a cold winter’s
ing space or driveway, this will let you know if there morning. The digital key has extra security measures built
is cross traffic. Some systems show from which di- in that tie only your phone to your car.
rection the other car is coming.
• Reverse brake assist: If it senses an object behind Make sure to ask if there is a monthly or
your car while backing up, reverse brake assist yearly subscription fee for the service, as
can stop your car to avoid an accident. it can vary from carmaker to carmaker.

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