10 car tech features that have me spoiled
If driving luxury cars has taught us anything, it's that we've been spoiled by high tech gadgets.
GPS navigation with traffic information
Assisted parking
While I can parallel park with the best of 'em, sometimes I just don't feel like it. Unfortunately, I could park for myself and be halfway through a burger in the time it took to activate the the older parking assist system from Lexus.
Hopefully, this upcoming system from Ford/Lincoln will better suit my need for an electronic valet.
Massage/heated seats
Bluetooth hands-free system
Standard on the Mazda Mazda6 at the Grand Touring trim level, Bluetooth hands-free calling is easier to set up and use now, thanks to onscreen controls that let users bypass the finicky voice command system. With many states passing hands-free calling laws, Bluetooth is becoming more of a necessity than a luxury.
Toss in Bluetooth A2DP audio streaming while you're at it. This way I can stream music from my smartphone for the ultimate no-wire, one-device setup.
Voice command
Rearview camera
Backup cameras make parallel and reverse parking a snap. More importantly, they increase the safety of a vehicle for both the driver and pedestrians, especially in vehicles with poor rearward visibility.
What I really like is how Nissan took the concept a step further with its Around-View Camera on the 2009 Infiniti FX50S and 2008 EX35 Journey crossovers. This system gives a bird's-eye view of the vehicle, ensuring that your shiny wheels and the curb shall never meet.
iPod/MP3 integration
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive suspension
Keyless entry and start
In the ultimate display of my ultimate laziness, I don't even want to take my keys out of my pocket to get into the car and drive. With RFID equipped smart keys, I don't have to.
We've seen this cool keyless entry and ignition systems on cars from Jaguar (such as the 2009 Jaguar XF), Mercedes-Benz, but even Mazda is starting to offer the system as standard on its top tier vehicles.