The modern automobile has changed more in the last decade than it did in the previous thirty years. Many vehicles today feature advanced technology that allows some vehicles to steer themselves, apply the brakes automatically to avoid collision, park with the push of a button, monitor the driver's attention and receive software updates over the internet. While many of these innovations have the potential to improve safety and convenience, not every new feature has been welcomed by drivers. Some technologies genuinely make driving easier, while others have raised concerns about privacy, repair costs, and driver frustration. Here's a look at ten of the most talked-about automotive features and whether they're a blessing or a burden.

 

1. Giant Touchscreens

 

The Good

 

For the most part large touchscreens have received a warm embrace from consumers. Large touchscreens give vehicles a clean, modern appearance and allow manufacturers to add new features through software updates. Most modern touchscreens tend to be very versatile, allowing the user to use them for navigation, listening to music and to access various vehicle features and settings.

 

The Bad

 

Some manufacturers have eliminated physical buttons in favor of touchscreen menus, making certain features like air conditioning harder accessing, often requiring several taps while driving, increasing distraction.

 

The Ugly

 

Not all touchscreens are created equal. Some new models have had reports of total screen failure. This can create serious issues as drivers may lose access to numerous vehicle functions. Additionally, large modern touchscreens tend to be expensive to replace, often costing owners thousands of dollars once the warranty expires.

 

2. Adaptive Cruise Control

 

The Good

 

Adaptive cruise control takes the stress out of long commutes. It allows the driver to rest their foot as it automatically maintains a safe following distance by slowing down and speeding up with the traffic.

 

The Bad

 

Some systems are not as finely tuned as others. There have been cases of adaptive cruise control systems causing aggressive stopping or, in some cases, failing to stop on time or accelerating too slowly after traffic clears, in some cases even contributing to accidents. While we all agree the system has some obvious upsides, it appears that it is not immune to bugs and unexpected failures.

 

The Ugly

 

Adaptive cruise control systems are not autonomous driving systems; these systems still require active supervision. Overreliance on adaptive cruise control can encourage drivers to pay less attention to the road.

 

3. Automatic Emergency Braking

 

The Good

 

This technology can detect an impending collision and apply the brakes if the driver doesn't react on time. It has helped prevent countless low-speed collisions.

 

The Bad

 

False warnings are quite common, and they can startle the driver as well as the passengers as the brakes tend to be applied abruptly and, in some cases, without warning. False emergency braking tends to occur at slower speeds when driving near obstacles like parked cars and buildings.

 

The Ugly

 

Beyond startling the driver, in the wrong situation, unexpected emergency braking can increase the risk of collision, even though such events are relatively uncommon.

 

4. Driver Monitoring Cameras

 

The Good

 

These cameras are installed on many new vehicles and are primarily used to monitor the driver's attention and can issue warnings if they detect signs of drowsiness or distraction. While there is some upside to this technology, it does not account for the potential downsides.

 

The Bad

 

Many of us dislike being monitored every time we get behind the wheel.

 

The Ugly

 

Continuous monitoring raises some serious privacy concerns as many worry that data collected by these systems could eventually be expanded beyond its original safety purpose. There are also serious concerns about who gets access to the information collected by these advanced camera monitoring systems, as they can be easily weaponized against the driver.

 

5. Over-the-Air Software Updates

 

The Good

 

Over-the-air software updates allow the manufacturers to fix software bugs, improve vehicle features, and sometimes even increase performance without requiring you to bring the car in for service. It is a very convenient way to stay up to date with the latest software.

 

The Bad

 

Updates occasionally introduce new bugs or temporarily disable features until additional updates are released. Certain options and features can also be disabled during updates when unresolved financial obligations come to light.

 

The Ugly

 

There is a real concern related to manufacturers limiting vehicle functionality after purchase or requiring subscriptions for features that were once included. There have already been multiple patents filed by major car companies like Ford allowing the company to check for outstanding balances and self-repossess autonomous vehicles. Over-the-air software updates play a key role in the process, as they are being used not only to update the vehicle software but also to check the vehicle status.

 

6. Digital Instrument Clusters

 

The Good

 

Digital displays allow drivers to customize what information they see. In some cars it will allow you an easier way to follow navigation display directions.  We have also seen these clever displays used to introduce some new safety features like displaying the side view directly in the gauge cluster when the turn signal is engaged.

 

The Bad

 

Some digital screens may be perceived as cumbersome by some users. Not everyone enjoys navigating through multiple menus just to display basic information.

 

The Ugly

 

Replacing a failed digital instrument cluster is often far more expensive than repairing traditional analog gauges. This service may not be available through your local repair shop, as many manufacturers engineer some systems that make it harder for anyone besides the dealership repair facility to do a proper cluster replacement.

 

7. Hands-Free Driving Systems

 

The Good

 

Certain highways now allow advanced driver assistance systems that can steer, accelerate, and brake while the driver keeps their attention on the road. This can make long drives more pleasant.

 

The Bad

 

In most cases hands-free driving will work only under specific conditions, which can confuse some drivers.

 

The Ugly

 

Some drivers mistakenly believe these systems make the vehicle fully autonomous, leading to dangerous misuse and accidents. Additionally, these systems are comprised of complex sensors and modules that can be very expensive to diagnose, repair or replace. Based on various patents filed by the top automakers, it is very likely that this technology will be used to give third-party control to the vehicles.

 

8. Smartphone Digital Keys

 

The Good

 

Many vehicles now allow owners to unlock and start their cars using a smartphone instead of a traditional key. Not having to carry around bulky car keys in your pocket is a small convenience.

 

The Bad

 

Dead batteries, software glitches or phone malfunctions can prevent access to the vehicle.

 

The Ugly

 

As vehicles become increasingly connected, cybersecurity concerns continue to grow.

 

9. Automatic Start-Stop Systems

 

The Good

 

The engine shuts off while stopped at traffic lights to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

 

The Bad

 

Some drivers dislike the slight hesitation when accelerating from a stop. The fuel saved over the course of a year is marginal at best. This feature has little to no upside, as it is primarily used by automakers to score points with the federal government.

 

The Ugly

 

Frequent restarting may increase wear on components such as starters and batteries, although manufacturers design these systems with reinforced parts.

 

10. Connected Vehicle Data Collection

 

The Good

 

Connected vehicles can provide remote diagnostics, emergency assistance, stolen vehicle tracking, and maintenance reminders.

 

The Bad

 

Many drivers are unaware of how much vehicle data is collected during normal operation.

 

The Ugly

 

Privacy advocates have expressed concerns about who can access driving data, how long it is retained, and whether it could be shared with insurers, third-party companies, or government agencies under certain circumstances.

 

Are Cars Becoming Better—or Just More Complicated?

 

There's no question that modern vehicles are safer and more technologically advanced than ever before. At the same time, every new sensor, camera, computer module, and software update adds another layer of complexity that will eventually increase repair costs and create new points of failure.

 

Deciding on buying a new vehicle is a personal choice. You must determine if any of the new modern feature’s appeal to you. It's easy to be impressed by a massive touchscreen or the latest driver-assistance technology during a new car test drive, but those features may matter less over the next ten years than long-term reliability, repair costs and ease of maintenance.

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