The 10 Best High-Tech Cars of 2016

Buying a new car ranks right up there with visits to the dentist and tax audits as most people's least favorite experiences. And it's gotten even more frustrating and complicated thanks to all the new technology coming to modern vehicles.

It doesn't help that the latest connected cars can vary widely in user-friendliness and available features. So it's essential that you know what to look before starting to shop for a new vehicle. And given that a new car is such a large purchase—and you'll likely be holding on to a vehicle for at least a few years—you have to live with that choice much longer compared with, say, deciding which new smartphone or tablet to buy.

Here are some of the main technologies you want to keep in mind when shopping for a new car:

Infotainment Interfaces

Infotainment is one of the most difficult tech features to judge, since there are no industry standards. It's also an area where automakers (and car buyers) are struggling. Controlling audio playback, navigation, and in-car apps when behind the wheel is a lot different than tapping away on your iPhone when sitting comfortably in your living room. Two infotainment interface that we consistently find easy to use are theToyota Entune and Volvo Sensus Connect systems for the former's configurable interface and the latter's large display layout.

Connectivity and Apps

Connectivity is what lets you access navigation, real-time traffic updates, local search, and more while on the road. That's why automakers are aggressively adding connectivity and in-dash apps to vehicles in three varieties: embedded, tethered, and a hybrid approach.

Embedded means there's a modem in the vehicle (and a subscription is usually required) to connect to the cloud, as with Mercedes-Benz mbrace2 system. Tethered systems leverage the connectivity—and data plan—of your portable device by syncing to the car's infotainment system, as with Chevy MyLink. The hybrid approach uses a combination of the two: embedded connectivity for critical functions such as automatic crash notification, and tethered connectivity for, say, infotainment apps. We prefer the tethered approach (and not paying a monthly subscription) that's best exemplified by systems that featureApple CarPlay and Android Auto. Apple and Google's tethering ecosystems offer broad support across multiple infotainment platforms.

For a closer look at connectivity options, read our guide Buying a New Car? Know Your Connectivity Options.

Audio

Music was the original consumer electronics technology to enter the car. And today there's more ways than ever to get great road tunes in your ride: AM and FM (now in HD), satellite radio, CD and DVD, in-dash hard drives, portable device integration via USB and auxiliary inputs, SD cards, and streaming music apps. But no matter how many music sources you have in your car, they'll only be as enjoyable as the stereo system they're played through. The good news is that premium audio in cars is better than ever and range from the expensive and esoteric, as with the Bang & Olufsen systems in several luxury makes with tweeters that rise out of the dashboard, to the low- or no-cost options like the sweet-sounding Infinity systems in many Kia vehicles.

Navigation

Knowing how to get where you're going is vital when driving, which is why in-dash navigation systems have made paper maps almost obsolete. And nav systems have gotten better with cloud connectivity, allowing for real-time traffic info, local search, and compatibility with portable devices. Audi's MMI system is a good example of just how far navigation has come. It offers Google Earth mapping, parking information that lets you find available spots in advance, and even a "picture navigation" feature that uses the geotagged information from a digital photograph to find an address and route the car to it. Of course, if you aren't happy with your vehicle's built-in navigation, you can always turn to a free GPS app.

Bluetooth

Blueooth was originally just for hands-free phone usage, but has evolved into providing streaming music from a portable device. It also serves as the link between a car's infotainment system and designated apps on your smartphone. Compatibility issues that have plagued the connection between phones and cars can still be a problem, however. That's why it's important to make sure your devices and new car can communicate with one another.

In fact, when you're test-driving new vehicles, make sure to spend time trying out the tech features. Get to know the operation of the infotainment system, understand how the car connects to the cloud and which apps are available, listen to the audio system and check out its music sources, enter a destination into the navigation system, and pair your device with the car via Bluetooth and make a few phone calls. This way you lessen your chance of buying a car with poor technology that you'll be stuck with for years to come.

Here you'll find a list of vehicles we tested that are examples of the best car tech in the categories above. For a complete list of reviews, see ourCars product page.

FEATURED IN THIS ROUNDUP

2017 Audi Q7 3.0T Quattro

$68925.00
The 2017 Audi Q7 is a top pick among large luxury SUVs thanks its state-of-the-art infotainment and safety tech, as well as its performance on the road. Read the full review ››

2016 Honda Pilot Elite

$47300.00
Though it's still capable of towing trailers and hauling up to eight people, the 2016 Honda Pilot Elite is roomier and plusher inside, with a smooth, quiet ride and superb safety features. Read the full review ››

2015 Tesla Model S P85D

$133320.00
The 2015 Tesla Model S leads the way for electric vehicles with its cutting-edge technology, and the P85D model leaves many luxury and performance competitors behind. Read the full review ››

2016 Nissan Maxima Platinum

$40685.00
The 2016 Nissan Maxima Platinum has a winning combination of technology, comfort, and performance, making it a top pick among midsize sedans. Read the full review ››

2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4

$37640.00
By balancing new tech with tried-and-true performance, the fully redesigned 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 retains its leading position in the midsize truck segment. Read the full review ››

2016 Volvo XC90

$66705.00
With a new approach to design and infotainment, an innovative power train, and cutting-edge safety, the 2016 XC90 SUV plots a new path for Volvo. Read the full review ››

2016 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron

$48875.00
The 2016 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron has a high sticker price, but it's one of the best-performing plug-in hybrids available and packed with useful technology. Read the full review ››

2016 Chrysler 300 Limited

$36005.00
The 2016 Chrysler 300 Limited stands out thanks to its archetypal American exterior styling, tons of interior room, great V6 gas mileage, and excellent in-dash tech. Read the full review ››

2016 Kia Optima SX Limited

$36615.00
The 2016 Kia Optima SX Limited's solid performance and updated safety tech make it a very competitive midsize sedan. Read the full review ››

2016 Toyota RAV4 SE

$37022.00
Thanks to its combination of performance, technology, and utility, it's easy to see why the Toyota RAV4 is such a popular crossover.

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