5 Features We Didn’t Have 20 Years Ago
It’s amazing just how much everything has advanced in the last couple of decades. Our smartphones are like a Swiss army knife of technology. The Internet is more widely available and faster than ever. And our vehicles are now so technologically advanced and full of features, some people don’t even get around to using all of them.
Remember the cars from the early 2000s? Long gone are the days when it was a big deal if you had a CD player and power windows. Nowadays, we expect much more out of our cars. It’s not just about getting from point A to point B anymore – it’s about features and infotainment.
So, what exactly has changed in vehicles in the last 20 years? Here is a list of our favorite technological advancements in new cars. Keep an eye out for these when you’re shopping for new cars for sale in Kansas City.
Voice Assistants
Remember that show Knight Rider? If you were a child of the 80s, then you’ll remember the infatuation everyone had with the talking K.I.T.T. car. In 2022, fiction is finally becoming a reality now that select vehicles feature voice assistants. Think of it like Amazon’s Alexa, but for your vehicle. You won’t be able to have a full conversation with it, however, you will be able to issue simple commands like turning on the air conditioning or closing the moonroof. This is a great feature for the driver who loves a completely hands-free experience.
Touchscreen Media Displays
20 years ago, the idea of a touch screen media display being in a vehicle was something right out of science fiction. Nowadays, all new vehicles are using touchscreen displays to cut down on the clutter of knobs and buttons and streamline the dashboard experience. Touchscreen media displays especially come in handy during night driving when seeing the interior of your car is a little more difficult.
Driver Assistance and Safety Features
Cars are a lot safer to drive these days, and a big reason for that is because of all the technological advancements and safety features. 20 years ago, we had airbags, seat belts, and not much more than that to protect us. Modern vehicles include an entire suite of driver assistance and safety features. Some of the top ones include:
- Travel Assist
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Active Blind Spot Monitor
- Rear Traffic Alert
- Front Assist
- Emergency Assist
- Lane Assist
- Rear View Camera System
- Intelligent Crash Response System
- Automatic Post-Collision Braking System
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Smartphone Connectivity
Even the most advanced cell phones from 20 years ago didn’t do very much, and they definitely did not connect to your car in any way. Fast-forward to now and our smartphones are able to wirelessly pair with our vehicles via Bluetooth. This allows us to stream music from services like Spotify and Pandora, take hands-free calls, and do plenty of other things. With Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto, you can fully integrate your smartphone into your vehicle’s touchscreen display. This allows you to access all your favorite apps right on the media screen.
Vehicle Apps and Remote Commands
Not only can you connect your smartphone to your vehicle while driving, but you can also interact with it while it’s parked in the driveway. Although not every automaker’s app is the same, many of them share overlapping features. Some of the most popular features include:
- Service reminders and history: This is great for folks who are forgetful about getting oil changes and other routine maintenance.
- Roadside assistance: Stuck on the side of the road? You can hail roadside assistance using the app.
- Vehicle alerts: Low tire pressure? Worn brake pads? You’ll be notified of anything wrong with the car through the app.
- Last parked location: Find your car using the map in the app. This feature comes in handy at stadiums and theme parks.
- Remote start: Fire up your vehicle from the comfort of your own home. Great for cold days when you need to give the car a few minutes to heat up and defrost.
Finding a New Car for Sale Near You
The great thing about technology is that it has not only improved the cars themselves, but it has also made finding cars so much easier. It’s not like the old days when you had to pay a visit to a car dealership just to see what kind of vehicles they have in stock. You can simply Google the phrase “new cars for sale near me” and that should bring up numerous dealerships in your area. From there, you can browse the dealership’s entire selection. Each vehicle listing should have full details on the vehicle performance specs and safety and infotainment features. This makes finding a vehicle worth test driving a cinch.
