Are High Tech New Car Options Worth the Price?

When buying a new car, there are now lots of super high tech (and sometimes super expensive) options to consider. So, which high tech gear is worth the price and which ones are just over the top?

Here you can discover how these fancy technologies work. And, I help you decide whether or not you want to spend the extra money.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Did you know the electronic stability control (ESC) on your new car may literally save your life? It’s no wonder the federal government recently made ESC standard starting with 2011 models. Basically, electronic stability control (ESC) helps a driver from losing control or going off the road. Should you buy it? YES! The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration estimates ESC will reduce crashes by as much as 34% (59% for SUVs with a great reduction in rollovers).

Blind Spot Monitoring

I road tested one of the first blind spot monitoring systems on a Volvo several years back. Since then, I’ve driven many cars with such systems. One time, in fact, a blind spot monitoring system saved me from crashing into another car on the freeway. So, should you get it? YES! Most systems us radar to help drivers achieve better visibility as they changes lanes or parallel park. In most systems, light blinks on the outside rear view mirror when traffic enters the driver’s blind spot.

Cross Traffic Alert

Sometimes, cross traffic alert and blind spot monitoring systems come in a package. Rather than alerting the driver to a vehicle in the blind spot, cross traffic alert helps drivers while backing out of a crowded spot (say, in a bustling parking lot) or onto busy street traffic. Cross traffic alert usually uses radar from the blind spot monitoring system to warn the drivers of moving vehicles or pedestrians. Do you need it? Maybe not, but cross traffic alert is certainly a helpful and possibly life-saving technology.

Integrated Infotavigation

Yes, I did coin a new term here in “infotavigation.” The integration of audio, navigation, Bluetooth, voice recognition and on-board video systems is becoming increasingly important. The systems in some cars are wonderfully integrated as in Ford’s SYNC system. In others, the integration is rather lackluster. When you are at the dealership buying a new car, make sure you test out the system while sitting in the car and on the road. Look at the system as an integrated unit and try to discover if it works for you or if the overall package is a dud.

Lane Departure Warning

Using cameras, lane departure warning systems let you know when the wheels of your car hit a lane marker when you have not signaled for a lane change. I’ve tested out these systems and, although they may help you stay on the road, I find lane departure warning to be a distraction by beeping way too many warnings. Should you get it? Not unless you are worried about falling asleep while driving.

Active Park Assist

Do you get heart palpitations when you’ve got to parallel park, especially on a busy street? Lexus was the first car company to launch a system that really does park the car for you. Once again using radar and sensors, active park assist systems first let you know whether or not your car can fit into the space. Then, the system really does steer the car for you, although the driver usually still has to accelerate and brake. Is it park assist worth the high price? No, unless you are deathly afraid of parallel parking or park assist comes standard with your new vehicle.

Night Vision

So far, Mercedes and BMW have offered a night vision technology where an infrared system “sees” the road beyond your car’s headlights. While I have not tested this technology yet, I’ve heard from other auto journalists that night vision isn’t worth it. First, the price is high. Second, there’s no way any driver can watch the road and the night vision graphics, too.

Voice Recognition

Increasingly, voice recognition and controls are becoming more important as text messaging is flourishing and as more states are enacting hands-free laws. Some systems, such as Ford’s SYNC connectivity, translate your incoming and outgoing email and text messages into voice programs. Do you need voice recognition? If you are going to spend a few thousand dollars on an infotainment system, you should make sure voice recognition is part of the program.

City Safety

City safety may be one of the coolest new high tech features available on new cars. Basically, city safety will not let you hit the car in front of you, but only when you are driving at low speeds. In Volvo’s city safety system, you have to be driving 19 mph or lower for the system to work. Using laser sensors built into the windshield, the city safety system stops your car suddenly for you if the sensors detect a possible collision. Do you need it? If you drive often in heavy traffic and do distracting (and illegal) things like eat or use your cell phone, then you may want to think about spending the extra money.

Increasingly, high tech features using lasers, radars and sensors are coming standard even on low-priced cars. Until these systems are available to the average car buyer, you need to pick and choose your high tech gear carefully.

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif. Follow me! @sheryllalexande