Here Are the Best High-Tech Vehicles for the Money
In general, the newest and best tech features are introduced on the newest and most expensive cars, which is no surprise. Automakers want to steer buyers toward more profitable models, and those who spend more get more.
That said, over time, cool features trickle down to more affordable models — as an example, most new cars on the market come standard with touch-screen infotainment displays and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility. Other examples include crash avoidance and safety features, such as adaptive cruise control.
On the following slides, we’ll take a look at new vehicles with unique or particularly interesting features. While we looked for affordable vehicles for this slideshow, there are a few that skew a little more expensive so that we can bring attention to some truly innovative tech.
As you read, keep in mind that our scores and rankings change through the year as new information becomes available, so the scores you see here may not precisely match those on each vehicle's review page.
2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV
$27,800 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV's high-tech electric drivetrain already qualifies it as an affordable tech wonder. There's more to the electric SUV's technology story, however. It's one of the least expensive cars you can buy with an available hands-free semi-automated driving system.
That system is known as Super Cruise, and it can manage steering, braking and acceleration on roughly 200,000 miles of certified roads in the U.S. and Canada. Soon, the network's size will increase to 400,000 miles of compatible roads. Unlike some semi-automated driving systems available today, Chevrolet's system demands constant attention and the driver's ability to regain control at a moment's notice. If it senses you're distracted, it reminds you to pay attention and will disengage when deemed appropriate.
The Bolt EUV holds a spot in the lower half of our electric SUV ranking.
2023 Hyundai Elantra
$20,950 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.9/10
The 2023 Hyundai Elantra is a peppy but poised compact car with a fantastic warranty and a low starting price. What makes it stand out, though, is its impressive array of standard safety technologies, some of which are uncommon in its class.
In addition to expected features, such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, all Elantra models feature rear cross-traffic automatic braking, driver-attention monitoring and a safe exit warning that can prevent you or your passengers from opening a door into traffic.
Moving to upper, yet still affordable, Elantra trims gets you features such as automatic emergency braking with cyclist detection and junction-turning detection, which can help you avoid turning into the path of another vehicle.
Top Elantra trims come with Highway Drive Assist. It coordinates steering, braking and acceleration on certain interstate highways.
2023 Nissan Rogue
$27,360 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.2/10
The 2023 Nissan Rogue features a high-tech 1.5-liter variable compression turbocharged engine, or VC-Turbo, that alters its performance to match the driver's needs at any given moment.
Simply put, it's efficient when it needs to be, while offering ample torque and horsepower when you need swift acceleration.
But that's not the only bit of technology the Rogue carries. It's also one of only a few vehicles in its class that comes with standard rear automatic braking. Upper trim models are fitted with Nissan's ProPilot Assist semi-automated driving technology, an uncommon feature in its class.
In our compact SUV rankings, the Rogue claims a spot in the upper tier of the list. In addition to the impressive technology, it offers a roomy two-row cabin with seating for five.
2023 Subaru Forester
$26,395 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.2/10
In addition to standard all-wheel drive, the 2023 Subaru Forester comes with a host of features to get you through challenging conditions and prevent collisions along the way. All 2023 Forester models are outfitted with an updated version of the EyeSight suite of advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies.
To get you going and keep you going, most models include a technology Subaru calls X-Mode, which is designed to optimize traction in less-than-ideal conditions. The X-Mode system includes hill descent control to help you maintain control as you travel down slippery slopes. Some models include Subaru's new Dual X-Mode technology, which operates in a wider variety of situations.
Top-trim models are available with rear automatic braking to help prevent collisions and damage while backing up.
The 2023 Forester holds a spot near the top of our compact SUV rankings.
2023 Toyota Sienna
$36,885 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.0/10
You might not think about minivans being high-tech wonders, but they often are. Minivan buyers look for safety tech to keep their kids safe and cabin technology to keep them entertained. The 2023 Toyota Sienna takes things a step further with great fuel economy and the availability of all-wheel drive.
The 2023 Sienna features a 245-horsepower hybrid powertrain. Its available all-wheel-drive system uses an electric motor to power the back wheels, so there's no mechanical driveshaft linking the front and rear wheels, and no space-consuming driveshaft hump going through the cabin.
In EPA testing, the Sienna earns fuel economy estimates as high as 36 mpg in both city and highway driving. That's 17 mpg better than the Honda Odyssey does in the city.
In our minivan rankings, the Sienna holds a spot near the bottom of the list.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA
$37,500 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.6/10
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA makes this list as one of the most affordable models in the luxury brand's lineup to offer the impressive Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. It comes standard with a 7-inch digital instrument panel and a 7-inch infotainment screen.
Upgrade the MBUX system with a pair of 10.25-inch screens, and you can get augmented reality navigation. Instead of just a map, it shows an image of the roadway ahead of the car, with navigation cues and location information, such as addresses, superimposed over the image.
The GLA is one of a growing number of vehicles available with a head-up display, or HUD. A HUD projects critical driving information onto the windshield, just below your line of vision. You can see things, including your speedometer and navigation cues, without taking your eyes off the road.
2023 Nissan Versa
$15,980 | U.S. News Overall Score: 7.7/10
The Nissan Versa, with a spot in the middle of our subcompact car rankings, is one of the cheapest new cars you can buy.
But just because it's cheap doesn't mean it lacks technology. Every Versa comes with rear automatic braking, which is a rare standard feature in any car class. Its list of standard safety features also includes forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning and automatic high-beam headlights.
While the Versa's modest engine power won't let it pass many cars on the highway, its spectacular fuel economy will let it pass many gas stations. It's EPA-estimated to get up to 32 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
$28,750 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.3/10
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe is a roomy five-seat crossover with a great warranty and a low starting price. It's also a tech powerhouse, with a long list of included safety technology and optional features that are uncommon in its class.
That list includes Hyundai's blind-spot view camera, with comes on most Santa Fe models equipped with the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Activating a turn signal displays a camera view of your blind spot on the instrument panel.
Lower-trim models in the Santa Fe lineup come standard with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Strangely, moving to higher trims requires a cable to connect a smartphone.
The Santa Fe currently holds a spot in the upper tier of our midsize SUV rankings.
2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
$50,495 | U.S. News Overall Score: 8.6/10
The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid brings loads of technology to the minivan market, including a high-tech plug-in hybrid powertrain that provides 32 miles of electric-only range before seamlessly switching to efficient gasoline-electric hybrid driving.
With optional Amazon Fire TV integration, you can stream content to the van's available 10.1-inch second-row touch screens. The rear-seat entertainment system also includes an array of entertaining and educational games.
A 10.1-inch Uconnect infotainment system that supports Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa comes standard, as does a tri-zone automatic climate control system. Audio systems with arrays of up to 20 speakers are available.