Which car brand has the most tech?

There isn’t a single, undisputed winner—“most tech” depends on what you value. Broadly, Tesla still leads in software-first design, over-the-air (OTA) updates, and EV efficiency; Mercedes-Benz is ahead in certified Level 3 automated driving and high-end in-cabin tech; and Chinese brands like Xpeng, Li Auto, and NIO push the envelope in city-level driver assistance in China. If you want one global name today, Tesla is the closest to a general “most tech” answer, but the crown is shared by domain.

What “most tech” means in 2025

Automotive technology spans hardware, software, and regulatory milestones. To fairly judge brands, it helps to break “tech” into a few pillars that impact daily use, long-term capability, and safety.

• Software/OTA: Frequency and depth of updates, feature unlocks, bug fixes, and long-term support.
• Driver assistance and autonomy: Real-world capability, supervision level, regulatory approval (e.g., Level 3), sensor suite, and compute.
• EV platform and charging: Efficiency, battery chemistry, voltage architecture (400/800V), charging speeds, and network access.
• Infotainment and connectivity: Responsiveness, app ecosystem, CarPlay/Android Auto or Android Automotive OS, voice assistants, and data services.
• Interior tech and UX: Displays, AR head-up displays, haptics, audio, comfort features, and digital keys.
• Ecosystem and integration: Energy products (home charging, vehicle-to-home), navigation/route planning, and third-party integrations.
• Manufacturing and safety tech: Platforms, over-the-air diagnostics, sensor redundancy, and crash-avoidance innovations.

Evaluating across these pillars shows why different brands can simultaneously lead—one in regulated autonomy, another in software cadence, another in battery or charging tech.

The current front-runners

Here’s where the leading brands stand right now across those pillars, with emphasis on capabilities available to consumers in key markets.

Tesla

Tesla remains the benchmark for a software-defined car: rapid, deep OTA updates; a unified UI across the lineup; strong route planning with integrated charging; and industry-leading EV efficiency. Its supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD v12) uses an end-to-end neural approach, and Hardware 4 introduces higher compute and better cameras. The brand also shaped global charging via the NACS standard and historically unmatched Supercharger reliability. Caveats: Tesla’s driver assistance is still Level 2 (driver supervision required) without certified Level 3, interior tech is minimalist by design, and camera-only sensing remains a philosophical—and controversial—bet compared with lidar/radar-heavy rivals.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes leads in regulated autonomy: Drive Pilot is a certified SAE Level 3 system in Germany and in parts of the U.S. (notably California and Nevada), allowing hands-off, eyes-off operation in specific conditions. Its MBUX ecosystem (including the Hyperscreen in some models) brings rich in-cabin tech, and OTA updates increasingly add meaningful functions. With partnerships leveraging NVIDIA for autonomous compute and robust sensor suites (including lidar on L3 models), Mercedes offers perhaps the most advanced blend of safety, certification, and luxury tech today.

BMW

BMW’s tech stance is balanced: iDrive 8.5/9 delivers a polished UI with steady OTA enhancements; the 7 Series gained Level 3 approval in Germany in 2024 for certain scenarios; and Highway Assistant offers hands-free Level 2 on mapped highways in select markets. With the Neue Klasse platform arriving, expect faster compute, cleaner software stacks, and improved efficiency. BMW’s restraint on gimmicks combined with meaningful driver assistance and infotainment polish makes it a quiet leader in real-world usability.

Xpeng, Li Auto, and NIO (China)

In China, these brands are pushing city-level driver assistance faster than most global peers. Xpeng’s XNGP and city NGP, Li Auto’s City NOA, and NIO’s advanced stacks (paired with high-sensor suites and centralized compute) deliver sophisticated urban navigation assistance with frequent OTA updates. NIO’s battery swapping and in-car AI assistants add distinctive tech, though the most advanced features currently concentrate in the Chinese market and are only partially available elsewhere.

Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis

The group’s E-GMP platform (800V architecture, bi-directional power like V2L) set mainstream standards for fast charging and efficiency. Highway Driving Assist 2 is solid, Genesis offers luxury-grade cabin tech, and OTA capability is expanding. Limited Level 3 functionality has appeared in specific models and regions (e.g., pilot availability in Korea), signaling a steady march toward more advanced assistance globally.

General Motors and Ford

GM’s Super Cruise and Ford’s BlueCruise are among the broadest-deployed hands-free Level 2 systems in North America, delivering consistent highway performance with lane changes and growing road coverage. GM is migrating to Android Automotive OS with deep Google integration (while phasing out CarPlay in newer EVs), and both automakers are scaling OTA updates across lineups. Ultra Cruise, GM’s next-gen system intended for wider operational domains, remains in rollout phases.

Volvo and Polestar

Safety-centric brands with strong tech underpinnings: the Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3 use lidar (via Luminar) and NVIDIA-based compute for future driver assistance growth, run Android Automotive OS natively, and support robust OTA. Ride Pilot (Volvo’s proposed hands-off system) is designed with a conservative, safety-first certification path.

Rivian and Lucid

Both are software-forward EV natives. Rivian’s OTA cadence, adventure-focused UI, and efficient in-house electronics stand out; Lucid leads in drivetrain efficiency and high-voltage fast charging, with a refined, responsive infotainment stack. Scale and geographic availability are smaller than legacy giants, but the tech DNA is clear.

BYD

BYD’s vertical integration (Blade LFP batteries, e-Platform architectures) drives cost, safety, and efficiency gains at scale. The company is accelerating ADAS and infotainment, though its most headline-grabbing advances are in batteries and manufacturing. As BYD expands globally, expect rapid iteration on software and driver assistance.

Verdict: Who has “the most tech”?

If your definition centers on software pace, EV efficiency, and OTA depth, Tesla remains the overall pick. If you prize certified automated driving and rich in-cabin systems, Mercedes-Benz is the leader. In China, Xpeng and Li Auto currently push the most advanced city-driving assistance available to consumers. Because these strengths don’t fully overlap, the honest answer is domain-specific—but for a single global name today, Tesla is the safest shorthand.

How to pick the most tech-heavy car for you

Match the brand’s strengths to your priorities and locale. Use this checklist to make a practical decision before you buy.

• Check autonomy levels: Is it supervised L2, hands-off L2, or certified L3 in your region?
• Evaluate OTA policy: How often do updates arrive, and do they add meaningful features over years?
• Assess charging: Voltage architecture, real-world charging speeds, and your local network reliability.
• Infotainment fit: Native apps, CarPlay/Android Auto support (or lack thereof), voice assistant quality.
• Sensor suite and compute: Lidar/radar/camera mix, redundancy, and vendor partnerships (e.g., NVIDIA, Qualcomm).
• Ecosystem: Home charging, energy integration, route planning, and third-party services you’ll actually use.
• Regional feature parity: Confirm that flagship features available abroad are actually enabled where you live.
• Data and privacy: What’s collected, where it’s stored, and how to control it.

Cross-checking these items against your driving patterns and regional support will highlight which brand’s tech will matter most to you in daily life.

Summary

No brand dominates every facet of automotive technology. Tesla leads in software, OTA, and EV efficiency; Mercedes-Benz is out front on certified Level 3 autonomy and luxury cabin tech; Chinese innovators like Xpeng and Li Auto set the pace in city ADAS within China. For a single global answer, Tesla is still the most broadly “tech-forward,” but the right choice depends on which technologies you value and where you drive.

Which car manufacturer has the best electronics?

These Car Brands Have the Best Tech and Infotainment in 2023

• Cadillac (533)
• Lexus (533)
• BMW (528)
• Kia (528)
• Mercedes-Benz (534)
• Volvo (509)
• GMC (505)
• Land Rover (499)

What used cars have the best tech?

Newer vehicles like the Tesla Model 3, Mercedes-Benz EQS, and Ford Mustang Mach-E are packed with the latest advancements in autonomous driving, infotainment, and safety. Meanwhile, used cars like the Honda Accord, Toyota Prius, and Ford Focus offer impressive tech features at a more affordable price point.

What is the most intelligent car?

Top 10 Smartest Cars in the World

• Audi Q7.
• BMW X7.
• Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
• HiPhi X.
• Nio ET7. Another pride of the Chinese automotive industry is the first electric sedan from Nio.
• Tesla Model Y. Once again, an electric crossover, this time from Tesla Corporation.
• Volkswagen ID.6. Interestingly, both ID.
• Cadillac Lyriq.

What car brand has the best technology?

Contents

• BMW 5 Series.
• Honda Odyssey.
• Audi A4.
• Mercedes Benz S-Class Convertible.
• Corvette Stingray.
• Rolls-Royce Wraith.
• Ford Mustang.
• Tesla Model S.