venturebeat
The vehicles of today are more digital than that of any car a human has driven to this point. Technology is running the cars we drive inside and out. In-vehicle technology has given cars the same utility as a smartphone. All the while, electrically powered vehicles are slowly being built by more manufacturers and driven by more consumers.
This is a rundown of the newest and most technologically advanced vehicles available to consumers right now, based on recent research. These vehicles are not necessarily listed in order from best to worst. Plus, this list is not made up of electric vehicles only. Read below for an overview of new vehicles that sport some great, new technology.
Tesla Model S Plaid
Of course, Tesla made the list. It’s obvious that Elon Musk’s electric vehicle making company is innovating and changing the automotive industry. This car can go farther on a single charge than any other EV on the market, according to Tesla’s 396-mile estimate. The car also features 360-degree cameras that process up to 250 meters around the vehicle. Along with the sensors, these cameras enable the car to summon, steer, accelerate, brake, park, and even change lanes automatically. Plus, the in-vehicle technology is on-par (some say better) than all of the newest vehicles on this list (and on the market today).
Ford F-150 Lightning
The new, all-electric Ford F-150 is “shocking”—even for a truck named lightning. Ford is the first major car manufacturer to put out an electric vehicle that’s also a full-size pickup truck. The truck allows up to 300 miles of driving per charge and is faster than any F-150 to date (getting to 60mph in just over four seconds). The truck’s EV capabilities are competitive to any EV on the market. Plus, the vehicle still has all the advantages that come with a truck—like towing, storage, and ruggedness. The F-150’s in-vehicle technology is also top-tier. Ford promotes their proprietary software, analytics offerings, and 15-inch touchscreen where all information can be accessed.
Toyota RAV4 Prime
The RAV4 Prime is a 4-cyldinder, plug-in hybrid SUV. It’s got all-wheel-drive capabilities paired with 42 miles of EV-only driving capacity. It’s also got all the bells and whistles on the inside that are now becoming standard in most new vehicles. Things like touchscreen display, wireless charging, and digital rearview mirror are handy tools in this RAV4. Plus, the RAV4 (since inception) has been promoted as one of the safest and most secure vehicles on the market. This one is no different, offering the best safety features yet.
Porsche Taycan
Porsche’s newest sedan is an all-electric hot rod called the Taycan. Not the Cayenne or the Macan, but the Taycan is an electric vehicle with a 225-mile driving range per charge. Compare that range to Ford’s electrified pickup truck and one may wonder how the truck can go further on a single charge. Even crazier, the Ford F-150 Lightning gets to 60mph before the Taycan—apparently? That’d be an interesting race… Having said that, the Taycan makes up for these faults with a sleek design and responsive in-vehicle tech. The car comes with a built-in info-tainment system that integrates with Apple Music and/or Spotify. The vehicle takes orders too. Speak to it and say “Hey Porsche” to command the heating, the navigation, and more. Plus, this vehicle has autonomous driving capabilities like parking support, lane keeping/assist, and adaptive cruise control. Many of this technology can be coordinated through the My Porsche App that allows insight into optimal charging times, software updates, vehicle health, and more.
2021 Genesis G80
Most don’t know that Genesis is the “luxury” arm of the vehicle manufacturer Hyundai. Both Hyundai and Genesis have released some amazingly-techy vehicles to date—and this one is no different. Although the G80 is not an EV, it comes packed with tech features that mimic the other high profile electric vehicles on the market. Genesis customers will enjoy a 14.5-inch touch display with all the bells and whistles—once again this is a vehicle that could replace a smartphone. The G80 comes with driving assist technology, remote start, 360-degree surround view monitors and vehicles sensors, plus cloud-based profiles that allow customers to see vehicle analytics to customize the driving experience.
Kia Niro EV
Kia vehicles haven’t exactly been the choice of James Bond, or many high-profile consumers for that matter. However, for the average individual, the Kia Niro EV is a fairly affordable and high-tech SUV. It boasts a nearly 300-mile driving range per charge and comes with all the now-standard in-vehicle technology options that so many new cars carry these days. From the heated seats and hands-free technology to the driving assist software like collision-avoidance and blind-spot warnings—this SUV stands toe to toe with the best in the game—and it’s a Kia!
The list was tough to put together. Many “car guys” will tell you one thing or another about a favorite brand. But the truth is—all cars on the market today are great. Most new cars come with technology that rivals a laptop or tablet, plus driving has become more affordable with greater gas mileage, hybrid options, and now with electric cars. Some of the other vehicles that didn’t make the list include the Chevrolet Corvette, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Volvo XC40, the Ram 1500, among others.
By Ryan Gallagher