Brake assist
Brake assist detects when a driver initiates a panic stop (as opposed to ordinary gradual stops) and applies the brakes to maximum force. In conjunction with anti-lock brakes, the system enables threshold braking without locking up the wheels. Studies have shown that most drivers, even in panic stops, don't apply the brakes as hard as they could, so Brake Assist intervenes to reach the shortest possible stopping distance.
Forward-collision warning (FCW)
Forward-collision warning uses cameras, radar or laser (or some combination thereof) to scan for cars ahead and alert the driver if they are approaching a vehicle in their lane too fast and a crash is imminent. Most systems alert the driver with some sort of visual and or audible signal to a potential crash, allowing time for you to react.
Automatic emergency braking (AEB)
These systems add to the benefits of forward-collision warning. AEB will sense a potential collision and if you don't react in time, the car will initiate automatic braking.
Pedestrian detection
This system uses the features of forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking to help protect pedestrians. The vehicle's camera(s) or radar are looking for a pedestrian in the vehicle's path. Some systems will alert the driver with an audible or visual alert and some will even start automatic emergency braking if a collision is deemed high.
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive cruise uses lasers, radar, cameras, or a combination of these systems to keep a constant distance between you and the car ahead, automatically maintaining a safe following distance. If highway traffic slows, some systems will bring the car to a complete stop and automatically come back to speed when traffic gets going again, allowing the driver to do little more than pay attention and steer. Some vehicles equipped with lane keeping assist will also allow the car to stay within the lane markings.
Blind-spot warning (BSW)
Using radar or cameras, this system illuminates a light or icon in or adjacent to the outside mirrors to warn that another vehicle is lurking in the lane beside, possibly hidden in your car's blind spot. Many systems also sound an audible warning if you attempt to move over anyway or operate your turn signal indicating that you're going to. More advances systems can also brake or steer the vehicle back towards the center of the lane. Also effective are outside mirrors with a small convex section for a wide-angle rearward view.
Rear cross-traffic alert
These systems sense traffic that may cross your path as you reverse, which can be helpful when you are backing out of a parking space or driveway. Some systems will automatically brake for the driver to avoid an object.
Lane-departure warning (LDW)
This alerts you if you steer your car out of its lane without the turn signals activated. Using a camera or lasers to monitor lane markers, the LDW may sound a chime, blink a dashboard telltale, and/or vibrate the steering wheel or seat.
Lane-keeping assist (LKA)
In addition to sensing when you leave your lane, this technology will introduce a mild steering input to put you back into your lane.
Active head restraints
Active head restraints move up and forward in a rear crash to cradle the head and absorb energy in an effort to mitigate whiplash injury.
Backup camera
Starting in the 2018 model year all light-duty vehicles will come with standard rear-view cameras.This camera-based assistance system is activated when the vehicle is placed in reverse. The rear view is displayed in a center console screen or rear-view mirror. Mostly used as a parking aid by providing a bumper-level view aft, a backup camera can also assist with spotting a child or pedestrian concealed in the blind zone immediately behind the vehicle.. A recommended convenience, this is a safety feature whose value is made apparent every time you drive. Plus, some more advanced systems give a 360 degree view around the vehicle.
(See our blind spot measurements on previous vehicles not equipped with a camera.)
Parking assist systems
These are sensors embedded in the front, rear, or both bumpers that alert you—at parking speeds—that light poles, walls, shrubbery and other obstacles are getting close.
Automatic high beams
This function automatically switches from low to high beam and back again, for improved nighttime visibility as conditions warrant.
