What Is the Most Modern Car Today?

The most accurate answer is that there isn’t a universally agreed “most modern car,” because different models lead on different fronts; however, if one vehicle currently makes the strongest single-vehicle case on legally approved autonomy, software sophistication, and integrated safety redundancy, it’s the 2024–2025 Mercedes‑Benz EQS with Drive Pilot Level 3 (available in limited conditions in California and Nevada, and in parts of Europe). Close rivals include the Lucid Air, BMW i7, the 2025 Porsche Taycan, Tesla Model S Plaid, and tech-forward Chinese entrants such as Xiaomi SU7 and NIO’s ET series, each excelling on different “modernity” metrics.

How “Modern” Should Be Measured

In 2025, “modern” isn’t just about speed or a big screen. It spans software, safety, electrification, efficiency, and how seamlessly a car integrates into your digital and energy life. The following criteria are widely used by analysts and regulators to gauge technological leadership.

• Software-defined architecture and robust over-the-air updates that add features and fix issues without dealer visits
• Driver-assistance sophistication and regulatory standing (e.g., certified Level 3 conditional automation versus supervised Level 2)
• Electrical architecture and charging performance (800–900V systems, peak charging speed, thermal management)
• Real-world efficiency and range, not just test-cycle claims
• Human–machine interface quality (voice assistants, displays, ergonomics, and safety-focused UX)
• Sustainability across materials, manufacturing, and end-of-life recycling
• Manufacturing innovation (e.g., gigacasting, high-voltage integration, compute redundancy)

Taken together, these pillars offer a holistic lens for deciding which car is truly “most modern” for your needs and region.

Top Contenders in 2024–2025

These production models embody the cutting edge right now. Each leads in different areas, which is why there’s no single uncontested winner.

• Mercedes‑Benz EQS (2024–2025): Among the first with certified Level 3 “Drive Pilot” in the U.S. (limited to certain highways in California and Nevada at lower speeds) and Europe; lidar, radar, and camera fusion with redundant braking/steering; expansive MBUX Hyperscreen option; comprehensive OTA; ultra-low drag (Cd ≈ 0.20). Its charging is competitive rather than class-leading, but its regulatory autonomy milestone is unmatched in the U.S. today.
• BMW i7 (G70): Offers Level 3 “Personal Pilot” in Germany under defined conditions; lavish tech suite with a 31-inch 8K Theater Screen, rich OTA roadmap, strong driver monitoring, and a refined cabin that blends analog tactility with digital depth.
• Lucid Air (Grand Touring/Sapphire): A benchmark in EV engineering with a 900V architecture, standout EPA range (up to around 516 miles on select trims), very high efficiency, rapid DC fast charging, and DreamDrive Pro with an extensive sensor set including lidar on equipped models.
• Porsche Taycan (2025 refresh): Track-tough thermal management, 800V system, significantly improved efficiency and range versus earlier models, and peak DC charging north of 300 kW on suitable hardware; OTA-enabled performance and chassis updates, with Turbo GT variants pushing performance boundaries.
• Tesla Model S Plaid: Ferocious straight-line performance, a mature OTA ecosystem with frequent feature drops, wide access to high-reliability DC fast charging, and a software-first cockpit. Driver assistance remains supervised (Level 2), despite the “Full Self-Driving” branding.
• Xiaomi SU7 (China, 2024–): Deep phone/IoT integration via HyperOS, strong compute, 800V architecture, advanced driver-assistance with lidar on higher trims, and aggressive OTA cadence—an emblem of China’s software-defined vehicle push.
• NIO ET7/ET5: Pioneers battery swapping at scale, pairs lidar and high-compute driver assistance with continuous OTA, and integrates energy services—another template for ecosystem-centric mobility.
• Hyundai Ioniq 5/6 and Kia EV6/EV9 (E-GMP): Mainstream leaders with 800V charging, robust efficiency, vehicle-to-load/home capabilities, and compelling value—evidence that “modern” tech isn’t limited to ultra-luxury tiers.

Each of these cars showcases a different philosophy: regulatory autonomy, raw efficiency, charging speed, software ecosystem depth, or democratized high-voltage hardware.

Why the EQS Often Gets the Nod

If you’re forced to name a single “most modern” car today, the EQS has a unique claim: certified Level 3 automated driving (Drive Pilot) in both Europe and, crucially, in two U.S. states. That means, within precisely defined conditions, the system—not the human—bears the driving task, and the driver can divert attention. The EQS backs this with a sensor stack that includes lidar, long-range radar, cameras, HD maps, redundant steering and braking, and robust driver monitoring. Inside, the optional MBUX Hyperscreen spans pillar to pillar, voice assistance is strong, and OTA updates expand functionality over time. Aerodynamic efficiency (Cd about 0.20) and sustainability initiatives in materials further bolster its “modern” credentials. Caveats: its 400V-based charging is no longer class-leading, and others beat it on outright efficiency or performance—but on the breadth of validated, road-legal tech, it’s a standout.

What About “Self-Driving” Elsewhere?

Terminology matters. Tesla’s Autopilot/FSD is powerful but remains supervised Level 2, meaning the driver is responsible at all times. BMW offers certified Level 3 for the 7 Series in Germany at limited speeds and conditions. Honda fielded a limited Level 3 Legend in Japan. As of now, Mercedes is uniquely approved for Level 3 in parts of the U.S. These differences aren’t academic—they determine who is legally in charge of the driving task and what you can safely and lawfully do behind the wheel.

How to Decide Which “Modern” Car Fits You

Modernity should serve your actual use case: commuting patterns, charging access, climate, and comfort preferences. The steps below help translate tech headlines into a practical choice.

1. Prioritize your pillars: autonomy capability, charging speed, software features, efficiency, or luxury/UX.
2. Rely on independent range and charging tests in your climate; don’t compare WLTP or CLTC figures directly to EPA.
3. Confirm driver-assistance legality and availability in your region—features can be geo-locked or speed-limited.
4. Check OTA cadence and support horizon; read recent release notes, not just marketing claims.
5. Consider the ecosystem: home charging, bidirectional power, phone/IoT integration, and public charging reliability.

Following these steps aligns the abstract idea of “modern” with the realities of ownership where you live.

Bottom Line

There is no single, permanent “most modern car.” Today, the Mercedes‑Benz EQS—with certified Level 3 automation in select U.S. states and Europe, a sophisticated sensor suite, and a comprehensive software stack—can credibly claim the title on breadth and regulatory standing. Lucid Air and the refreshed 2025 Porsche Taycan lead in EV engineering and charging, Tesla leads in software cadence and networked charging, and Chinese innovators like Xiaomi and NIO set the pace in phone-to-car integration and ecosystem design. Your best choice depends on which slice of “modern” matters most to you.

Summary

The “most modern car” depends on criteria. If you prioritize legally approved autonomy plus a wide tech footprint, the 2024–2025 Mercedes‑Benz EQS stands out thanks to Level 3 Drive Pilot availability in parts of the U.S. and Europe. For outright EV efficiency and charging prowess, consider Lucid Air or the 2025 Porsche Taycan. Tesla’s Model S Plaid remains a software and charging-network leader, while Xiaomi SU7 and NIO ET series exemplify cutting-edge software-defined design and ecosystem integration in China. Choose based on your mix of autonomy, charging, software, efficiency, and regional availability.