5 Modern Car Features We're Thankful for This Year

Vehicles these days have more tech, space, and entertainment than ever before.

Elliot Rieth | 

Nov 7, 2025 | 3 min read

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While it’s true that a car’s basic function — transporting people — has remained unchanged since Carl Benz completed his one-cylinder two-seater vehicle in 1885, today’s vehicles can be technologically advanced enough to feel futuristic. Unlike Benz’s 19th-century marvel, current cars offer, for example, a roof. They also offer touchscreens, driver-assist tech, and impressive infotainment: All things to be thankful for as you navigate the roughly 12,000 miles the average person drives each year.

Here are five modern car features our reviewers highlighted and praised specifically in new cars this year.

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1. Roomy Interiors

As the average vehicle size has increased over the last couple of decades, the interiors have grown with them. A roomy interior is something our reviewers typically pay attention to and appreciate.

Take the 2026 Honda Civic Hybrid, for example. Automotive expert James Riswick in his recent review applauded this classic sedan for its ability to accommodate his height at 6-foot-3. Riswick also said that "the back seat is enormous" and can comfortably fit a child's car seat.

Genesis

2. Expanded Touchscreens

The rise of infotainment systems and reliance on technology for operation has led to the advancement of touchscreens. Rather than settling for a single small infotainment screen, today's new cars feature expansive screens that can stretch across the dashboard.

One example is in the 2026 Genesis GV70, which automotive expert Perry Stern in his recent review described as having a "clean look dominated by the new 27.0-inch OLED display." These expanded touchscreens integrate the driver display and infotainment system into a single console that may improve visibility and intuitiveness.

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3. Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems

Safety is generally a top priority among car buyers. Online research group YouGov found that 77% of car buyers worldwide said they would want all possible safety features in their car. Especially for car buyers with young kids or those who live in areas with harsh driving conditions, improved safety features may be a greater priority than aesthetic factors.

Many new vehicles are available with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), which include safety features such as:

• Lane-keeping or lane-centering assist
• Emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Adaptive cruise control

Subaru vehicles, including the 2026 Subaru Solterra, feature the Subaru Eyesight ADAS suite. While some drivers find these systems to be oversensitive, automotive expert Tim Stevens said in a recent review that the Solterra's lane-keeping system "did a nice job of keeping the car from wandering without being so obtrusive that I felt the need to turn it off on twisty roads."

Acura

4. Google built-in

Mobile-connected features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are no longer the only available car functionality. Google built-in, an operating system integrated into the car's digital interface, can access and offer everything from navigation to communication services to climate controls — no phone necessary. The service has been in cars for just a few years, and some of our reviewers have called out its usefulness.

Riswick test-drove the 2025 Acura ADX and found this integration particularly useful, as he could "run Google Maps, including with [his] own sign-in, and it came with enhanced graphics and functionality." Other features from this upgraded suite include Google's digital voice-operated helper, Google Assistant.

Cadillac

5. Semi-Autonomous Driving

One innovative feature for new-car buyers is the ability to go hands-free behind the wheel. Modern vehicles now utilize advanced technology to provide a semi-autonomous driving experience, featuring ADAS systems that extend beyond basic lane-keeping assistance.

Automotive expert Benjamin Hunting in a recent review said the Super Cruise system in the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq is "the best technology of its kind." He also noted that the Super Cruise semi-autonomous system "requires the least intervention by the driver," even offering the ability to automatically change lanes to avoid slow traffic.

Elliot Rieth

Born and raised in Michigan — the center of the American automotive industry — Elliot's fate of becoming a writer in the automotive space was seemingly predetermined. In addition to covering cars and personal finance for Capital One, he's worked directly with dealers and OEMs to create digital content meant to educate consumers. He's also passionate about music and has written for outlets like In Review Online. When he isn't writing about the latest financial, automotive, and insurance trends, he can be found enjoying a new book or record alongside his two greyhounds.