Modern motoring: tech features worth knowing about

Make the most of your motoring tech

When it comes to speed, little moves faster than updates to in-vehicle technology. There’s always something new that promises to reduce hassle, improve safety or simply make everyday driving that little bit easier.

The good news is that useful tech isn’t necessarily about having the newest car – or spending a fortune on the latest gadget. Your vehicle may already have features you’ve never fully explored, while a few simple additions could make a noticeable difference.

So, before you start browsing for a new model, it could be worth doing a little homework on the car you already have.

Getting to your destination just got smarter

Modern navigation does much more than tell you which road to take. Built-in systems and smartphone-compatible apps can provide you with live information helping you plan around traffic, avoid delays and find useful stops along the way. 

Depending on the system, you may also be able to bring navigation, calls, music and selected apps together on your car’s display. This can make frequently used features faster and easier to access. 

For EV drivers, navigation and charging tools can play an even bigger role in journey planning. Apps and integrated systems can help you locate charging points, while some can provide information such as availability, charging speeds, connector types and, where available, pricing. 

The trick is to get everything set up before you set off as there are strict rules about device use when driving. Spend a few minutes choosing your route, connecting your phone and making sure you know how the system works. That way, the technology is there to make your journey simpler rather than becoming another distraction.

Take the stress out of parking

We’ve all encountered that slightly-too-tight parking space or found ourselves reversing at an awkward angle while a queue of cars waits patiently behind us. This is where parking technology can really come into its own. 

Parking sensors provide audible or visual warnings as you approach an obstacle, while a reversing camera gives you a clearer view of what’s behind the vehicle. Both can be particularly handy in busy car parks, where pedestrians, shopping trolleys and other vehicles can appear from all directions. Your vehicle may already have them, but in the event that it doesn’t, there are plenty of aftermarket options available to purchase.

Some newer cars take things a step further with 360-degree camera systems, which combine several camera views to give you a bird’s-eye-style view around the vehicle. Again, these are an option that

Useful? Definitely. A substitute for checking around you properly? Not quite.

Parking technology is there to support your judgement, so mirrors, observations and a good look around the vehicle still matters.

Give yourself an extra pair of eyes

Hopefully, most of the footage recorded by a dash cam will never be needed. But if you are involved in an incident, having a record of what happened could provide useful evidence and make it easier to establish the circumstances. 

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) notes that dash cam footage can help resolve disputes and demonstrate when an accident wasn’t your fault. It may also help insurers settle claims more quickly. Depending on the circumstances and your policy, evidence could potentially help you avoid paying an excess or protect your no-claims discount.

Some insurers may also offer a discount for having a dash cam fitted, although this isn’t universal, so it’s worth checking directly with your insurer rather than assuming you’ll receive a saving.

If you are considering one, think about the practicalities as well as the picture quality. Is it easy to install? Does it record clearly at night? Does it save footage securely? And do you know how to access the recording if you ever need it?

A dash cam isn’t a guarantee that a claim will go your way, but having a clear record of an incident can be reassuring when you need it most.

What can your car already do for you?

Some of the smartest motoring technology is the kind you barely notice until you need it. 

Many newer vehicles now feature driver-assistance systems designed to spot potential hazards, provide a warning or provide assistance in certain situations.

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), for example, can detect a potential collision ahead and warn you. If you don't respond sufficiently, some systems can automatically apply the brakes to help avoid an impact or reduce its severity.

Lane-keeping assistance can monitor the vehicle's position on the road and alert you if you unintentionally approach the edge of your lane. Depending on the system, the vehicle can also provide steering assistance to help guide you back.

Then there's adaptive cruise control. Unlike traditional cruise control, which maintains a selected speed, adaptive systems can adjust your speed in response to traffic ahead, helping maintain a set following distance and potentially making longer journeys less tiring.

Other features can include blind-spot monitoring, which can warn you about vehicles in areas that are harder to see in your mirrors.

These technologies aren’t simply bells and whistles either. Safety organisations such as Euro NCAP consider driver assistance systems as part of their vehicle safety assessments, helping consumers understand how well different vehicles perform in areas such as collision avoidance and lane support.

The important thing is to understand what features your vehicle has, and how it behaves. Systems can work differently between manufacturers and models, so don’t assume that because two vehicles have the same feature name, they’ll operate in the same way.

Your handbook is your friend here, so take a few minutes parked on the driveway exploring the vehicle’s menus and settings before activating those that are most useful to you.

Make everyday journeys more comfortable

Not every useful piece of motoring tech is a major safety feature. Sometimes, it’s the small things that make the biggest difference to everyday life.

Keep devices charged

Many new vehicles have USB ports USB-C connections or wireless charging pads, making it easier to keep phones and other devices topped up during a journey.

Before buying an accessory, check what’s already built into your car. You may have more charging options than you realised. If there aren’t enough ports for the whole family, a suitable USB adapter can be a simple way to add another connection.

Just remember that not every USB port is necessarily designed for charging – some may primarily be intended for connecting a device to the infotainment system.

Try your voice controls

Voice controls can be a useful way to operate selected navigation, phone or audio functions without reaching for the screen – and this technology is becoming smarter.

Conversational AI is beginning to appear in connected-car systems, allowing drivers to make more natural requests rather than relying solely on fixed commands. Depending on the system, that might mean asking for directions, sending a message, choosing music or asking a follow-up question as part of the same conversation.

Availability will vary between vehicles and systems so have a look through your infotainment settings and see what’s available, plus check whether your phone’s voice assistant can be connected to the car. It’s worth noting that AI tools can still get things wrong, so they shouldn’t be relied on for critical instructions or safety-related information.

The important bit? Set it up while you’re parked. You don’t want your first attempt at teaching the car your voice commands to happen halfway down the wrong A-road.

Check whether your car has an app

Many manufacturers now offer connected-car apps for compatible vehicles. Depending on the car, these can provide information such as vehicle status, fuel or battery levels, charging information, live location, or maintenance reminders. Some EVs may also allow you to schedule charging or pre-condition the vehicle (i.e. heat or cool to a comfortable temperature) remotely.

Not sure whether yours has one? Check your handbook, the manufacturer’s website or your phone’s app store using the make and model of your car.

Doing your homework before you invest

With so much new motoring technology available, it’s tempting to assume that the next useful feature is something you’ll need to buy. But your first upgrade might not cost you anything. 

Before shopping for new gadgets, get to know your own car and find out which safety and convenience features are already fitted, and how they work. And if there’s something your car doesn’t offer? You’ll be in a much better position to decide whether an aftermarket upgrade is actually worth it. The same applies to your mobile device – you may have available options there as well.

In the end, the best motoring technology isn’t necessarily the newest. For most of us, it’s the technology that makes each journey safer, simpler and a little less stressful.