Top 6 Tech Features For 2019

#6. Back Seat Reminder

Feature Price Range: Standard

This feature has been around for some time now, however, it still deserves respect, even in 2019. What debuted first in Chevrolet's, the feature is now available in all sorts of makes and models from many different brands such as Subaru, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, and more. 

The genius of this feature is the simplicity. How it works is easier than you may think. It’s not based on sensors, or weight activated alarms. Nope. Think simpler. If you open the rear doors before your trip, when you put your car back in park, the rear seat reminder is triggered.

This simplistic design can save lives and perhaps more importantly, your famous cheese cake, from being forgotten in the rear seat.

(Just to clarify, your child's life is not less important cheesecake. I hope.)

#5. Wireless Charging

Feature Price Range: $200-$1,500

Wireless charging is the way of the future, the cord will soon be as archaic as flip phones and bell bottom jeans. To those of you still using a flip phone and rocking bell bottom jeans, I am not sorry. You are antiquated and it’s time to move on. For those of you that have moved passed the 19th and 20th century, you are greeted with a wireless world that only continues to get better. 

Wireless charging is available in all sorts of makes and models, but our favorite is by far Hyundai’s and Toyota’s integration of the feature. The wireless charging pad is in the center console in the cradle directly under the infotainment system. You know, right where you are already putting your phone. And that’s why we love how they do it. There isn't a special little shelf, a difficult to reach cubby, or a hidden charger tucked inside the center storage area. It’s a simple addition to the spot we already place our phones, making it as easy as possible to get a quick charge on your way to pick up a wireless charger for your nightstand. 

#4. Smartphone Car Apps

Feature Price Range: Standard

This is a feature we have already covered, but it deserves more recognition for what it is. Smartphone integration into our cars systems make it easier than ever to interact directly with your car.
The apps ability to perform nearly any function, from unlocking your door to starting your car and turning up the heat, and can even perform diagnostic checks on your car. All from your smartphone. The most prevalent brands that made this a mainstream feature would be Ford and GM brands such as Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac.
Most other manufacturers have their own version of the apps that can perform all the same features as Ford and GM, and we love them all for the pure usefulness of the tool.

#3. Variable Compression Engine

Feature Price Range:

Since first introduced over 100 years ago, the internal combustion has remained mostly unchanged, especially the internal components. Innovations such as over-head cams and direct injection have made leaps and bounds in terms of performance, but below the crank, most components have remained largely unchanged. 

Nissan took the formula and chucked it at the wall.

The Variable Compression Engine, used by both Nissan and their luxury brand, Infiniti, has made it possible to change the compression ratios of the combustion chambers by creating a variable volumetric combustion chamber in each cylinder. 

Nerdy stuff, no doubt, but cool none-the-less. The engine is capable of higher power outputs along with increased efficiency throughout the rev range. What this means for you is that you can go faster, while using less fuel than an equivalent engine without the variable compression system. 

#2. Side Exit Warnings

Feature Price Range:

Using existing systems such as the blind-spot monitoring system and parking sensors, the exit warning systems are capable of warning the passengers of the vehicle when oncoming traffic may interfere with them exiting the vehicle. 

For those of us that have ever parallel parked on a busy street know the usefulness of this safety system. Far too often people blindly fling their doors open with no regard to what may be coming up. 

With this system, the vehicle is capable of warning you when there is oncoming traffic that will hit your door if opened. No more worries about getting your door (and most likely your arm) taken off when getting out curbside.

#1. Remote Parking System

Feature Price Range:

Parking doesn’t have to be as difficult as we fear. Parallel parking, pulling into tight spots, and that fopdoodle that decided to park his lifted jeep 4-inches away from your doorhandle are no longer a problem with remote parking systems. 

Many brands have notable systems but our favorites are BMW and Hyundai. BMW’s system is capable of moving a car in and out of a spot, parallel park your car, and even “remember” the steering inputs you used and recreate the exact path you took pulling into a spot. Easing the pain of backing out of particularly hard to reach parking spots. 

Hyundai is amazing because of its value. Available on the Hyundai Sonata, an economy-class mid-size sedan, the remote parking system is capable of moving a car in and out of a parking spot. With the press of a button on the key fob, the vehicle is capable of starting itself, putting itself in gear, and moving in and out of a parking spot. The parking sensors are also used to immediately stop the car if any obstacle is too close for comfort, or a car or person moves into the Sonata’s path.

Closing

Tech is something that will continually infatuate us. The features that are built into the cars of today would absolutely blow the minds of the car designers of yesteryears. As always, we will continue to stay at the forefront of automotive technology and keep you in the loop of what's cool.