While no one likes a backseat driver, it can be a real lifesaver to have an extra set of eyes on the road. Driver-assist systems use cameras and sensors to watch out for hazards like a car in your blind spot or suddenly stopped ahead. That's even better than having an actual human onboard, since these systems never get tired, can see better in bad weather and low light, and you can usually turn them off if they start to become annoying.
Driver-assist systems provide audible or visual (and sometimes physical) alerts if they sense a potentially dangerous situation, and some can even take action such as applying the brakes to avoid a collision or steering a car back into its lane. Others add conveniences like active cruise control to take some of the monotony and hassle out of driving.
While driver-assist systems used to be found primarily on high-end cars, they're now available across all vehicle segments. Here are five common assists to look for when shopping for a new car:
Blind Spot Detection/Assist
While all cars have side mirrors that can reduce blind spots when properly adjusted, sometimes they're simply not enough to keep other vehicles from entering an area which you just can't see. But cameras or sensors installed in a side view mirror can tell when a vehicle pulls alongside you, and can trigger a warning light or sound an alert—sometimes both—to let you know it's not safe to change lanes. Some cars also have an active form of blind spot detection called that steers you back into your lane if a vehicle is detected next to you when changing lanes.
Lane Departure Warning/Prevention
Drifting out of your lane when looking away from the road for a moment to, say, change radio stations, is common—and a common cause of accidents. Most lane departure warning systems use cameras mounted on the side mirrors or near the rearview mirror to watch for lane markings and warn you when a tire is about to unintentionally drift over them. Lane departure assists work similarly, but can steer you back into your lane using braking or steering inputs in addition to issuing an alert.
Forward Collision Warning/Prevention
Collisions are one of the most widespread types of accidents. They're a frequent cause of fender benders in stop-and-go traffic, and can be deadly at highway speeds. A forward collision warning system uses a radar sensor and/or a camera to detect a vehicle ahead and the distance to it, and alert the driver with an audible and visual warning if it determines that an accident is imminent. Forward collision prevention systems go a step further and actively apply the car's brakes to prevent or mitigate an accident. Some systems can also detect pedestrians and even cyclists, and apply the brakes to avoid hitting them.
Active Cruise Control
Cruise control is convenient for long drives, but having to constantly turn it off and on when encountering slower cars can be a hassle—and make you want to switch it off for good. Using a radar sensor, active cruise control (ACC) can tell when a car ahead is moving slower than your car and reduce your speed accordingly. ACC systems usually have a setting that allows varying the gap between your car and the vehicle in front, depending on how comfortable you are with the distance in between. Some systems can also take the car to a full stop and allow it to creep slowly ahead, so that you never have to touch the brake or accelerator in stop-and-go highway traffic.
Automated Parking
While some people are parking pros, others dread the thought of squeezing into a spot, even one with plenty of room. Automated parking systems can help by completely taking over the task. Onboard cameras can even detect a suitable spot as you drive by, and then take control of steering and even braking to ease the car into place. While most offer parallel parking, some systems can also maneuver a car into a perpendicular spot.
So, with these helpful assists in mind, here's a list of 10 vehicles we tested that come with a range of the best driver-assist features on the market. For more, read Buying a New Car? Know Your Connectivity Options. And to add safety options to your existing vehicle, see 39 Ways to Soup Up Your Current Car With Tech.