5 Most Tech-Heavy Cars of 2018 and 2019

Even though widespread use of super futuristic technology like self-driving cars is probably some years away ...

17:31 10 December 2018

there’s still some incredibly impressive technology in cars right now

Here’s my pick of five of the most tech-heavy cars of 2018 and 2019.

#1 — Audi A8

This is Audi’s fourth offering in its A8 range, and it’s packed full of an intriguing collection of tech that’s even suite dto those who have trouble turning on their cell phone.

A lot of the really original stuff is packed into the car’s technical systems. A turbo-charged, 3.0 liter V6 engine sits beneath the hood and it’s been combined with 48-volt hybrid technology for extra fuel efficiency.

On top of that, the entire car also sits on an active suspension system so that you can cope with all the terrain that the road can throw at you. Did I mention that the car has an auto-braking feature too, reducing the risk of accidents and crashes at risky areas on the road.

That said, there’s some interest technology in the cabin too. The A8 features Audi’s Virtual Cockpit system with two touchscreens for added infotainment-goodness and a two-tablet entertainment system in the back to keep your kids docile.

#2 — Jaguar I-Pace

Only just on sale, the I-Pace is Jaguar’s first attempt at an all-electric car and it features enough cutting-edge technology to make the Death Star look like a Fisher-Price toy.

With a 90kWh battery, capable of offering up to 298 miles of range, the I-Pace more than lives up the offerings of its competitors, like Tesla.

The cabin features a state-of-the-art, touchscreen infotainment system with dual screen displays that features everything you’d expect app-wise from a luxury car, like sat-nav and traffic alerts. The whole system is capable of being connected to your smartphone too, for remote control!

Every time you brake, you’ll also be charging the battery slightly thanks to the I-Pace’s intelligent, regenerative braking system. This converts the energy generated by slowing the car back into electricity which is sent to the battery.

With All-Wheel Drive, the I-Pace also comes with the option of the Adaptive Surface Response system which analyses the car’s immediate environment and provides driving assistance based on that.

#3 — Volvo XC60

The XC60 is an interesting take on an SUV, focused on sport performance and practicality. This mid-sized model in Volvo’s SUV line-up is probably the safest of the range– and it’s also rammed full of interesting technology.

 Awarded by EuroNCAP as the safest car it tested in 2017, the XC60 is a tech fest of safety features and it can also drive itself using Pilot Assist. The central Sensus touchscreen infotainment system helps you control most aspects of the car’s setup and also displays the 360-degree camera view when you’re parking – with the park assist pilot also aiding you during parking. In fact, there are so many safety features available on the XC60 that we can’t list them all. It truly is in a class of its own.

#4 — Subaru XV

Compact and practical, the streamlined body of the Subaru XV belies the sheer amount of cutting-edge safety tech that’s available on board. There’s no denying that the Subaru XV has a dizzying array of safety tech that makes it a great option if you want extra peace of mind when you’re driving.

The EyeSight advanced driver assist technology that the Subaru XV utilises is made up of two high resolution cameras that control six separate safety systems. Capable of interpreting and monitoring the nearby environment, the EyeSight cameras can track moving objects and give you warnings about possible hazards. On top of that, the Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection system offers Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist which can help you reverse into tight spaces by providing monitoring about passing traffic and blind spots.

Available with 1.6 liter and 2.0 liter petrol engines and permanent symmetrical all-wheel drive, the XV is practicality in wheeled-form, equally comfortable it in the city as it is on bumpy country roads.

#5 — Tesla Model X

Tesla’s probably most famous for its eccentric founder, Elon Musk, but the company actually produces some fairly sophisticated cars if you can look past the antics of its representative. When you look at the spec and examine it in more detail, the Model X is stocked with an awful lot of high quality tech.

A 17-inch touchscreen mounted in the centre of the dashboard gives you access to a broad range of infotainment software, including a decent sat-nav, real-time traffic updates, and a 4G-enabled, WiFi hotspot, and you’ve also got access to a high fidelity, 17 speaker audio system with USB inputs and a full DAB radio. 

The cherry on top though is the AutoPilot system – Tesla’s autonomous driving system. This essentially allows the car to drive itself, capable of doing everything from steering and moving forward through to maintaining a safe distance from the car in front of you. At a time when most other manufacturers are still taking baby steps towards autonomous technology, Tesla is truly leading the way.

About the Author

Tom Butcher is a freelance writer, covering a wide range of topics, including finance, business and motoring. At the moment, he is helping LeaseFetcher educate the world about car leasing.