As the pile of bills gets taller and the stress at work escalates, easy is always a welcome change. That’s why so many people are excited about the car technologies that are hitting production lines for the 2019 model year.
When it comes to buying a new car, all the old rules still apply. But this year, more people are looking towards the technologies that will help simplify life. Whether or not a car has lane-assist technology or something similar may make or break your car purchase.
So if you want to get excited about the new technology that’s already out there for this year, read on. Here’s a taste of the new car technologies that will make your life easier in 2019.
Connected Mobile Technology
Do you start twitching whenever you have to put your phone down to drive? We’ve all become so reliant on our smartphones that the only time most of us are without them is during a drive. Well, for better or worse, that’s about to change.
In 2019, most automakers are offering some type of connected smartphone app. If you want the best of the best, look for one that lets you lock and unlock your doors and check the status of gas and tire pressure from your phone. With some of the newer models, you can even use your smartphone to start your car from the comfort of your couch on a cold winter’s morning.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
We started seeing these apps in 2017 model years, but by 2019, almost every new car will have full-service infotainment systems that connect to your Apple or Android device. Not only can you connect your music streaming service seamlessly, but you can finally use your car’s touchscreen to view your phone’s GPS navigation. Still, not every auto manufacturer supports both Apple and Android systems, so be sure to ask before you make your purchase. If you’re a devout Apple fan, you’ll want to be sure you can connect your iPhone.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Cruise control, in general, makes driving easier, but adaptive cruise control takes it a step further. With an array of built-in sensors, this technology can automatically glide forward at the same speed as the car in front of you. When they slow, you slow. This solves the annoying problem of having to apply the brakes whenever someone cuts you off in traffic. Because let’s face it, as great as it was to have cruise control, it wasn’t exactly stress-free – until now.
Lane Departure Warnings
We all like to think we’re perfect drivers, but we’re also human. That means we’re going to be distracted at one time or another. This is where technology comes in to make our lives easier. With lane departure warnings, your car relies on cameras to determine whether you’ve drifted into another lane. If you have, it’ll give you an audible notification to alert you to the problem. Some cars even offer a vibration to increase the sense of urgency. If you’ve fallen asleep at the wheel, these things should wake you up and get you back on track.
Some cars also have a feature called Lane Keeping Assist that can automatically shift your vehicle back into the proper lane.
Heads-Up Display
Higher end vehicles like the 2019 Audi A6 are coming equipped with what Audi calls the Virtual Cockpit. This is a display that’s illuminated in front of the driver, so you don’t have to look away from the road while you’re driving. You can see everything you need projected onto your windshield.
If you weren’t ready to buy a new car before, you probably are now. The new technologies of 2019 won’t pay your bills or appease your boss, but at least they can make driving easier.
