Which cars have the best technology?

The cars with the best technology right now are led by Mercedes‑Benz (EQS, S‑Class) for the only certified Level 3 system in the U.S., Tesla (Model S/3/X/Y/Cybertruck) for industry‑leading software and over‑the‑air updates, Volvo and Polestar (EX90, Polestar 3) for LiDAR‑first safety stacks, Lucid (Air) for benchmark EV efficiency and sensor coverage, BMW (i7/7 Series) for high‑speed hands‑free driving and rich UX, Porsche (Taycan refresh) for ultra‑fast 800‑volt charging, GM’s Super Cruise on Cadillac and other brands for dependable hands‑free cruising, Kia (EV9) for value‑packed software‑defined features, and in China, XPeng (G9/G6) and Nio (ET7/ET5) for cutting‑edge urban pilot systems. Below is how they compare and why they stand out, based on driver assistance capability, infotainment and app ecosystems, energy and charging tech, safety hardware, and long‑term software support.

How we define “best technology”

“Best” blends what you can use today and what will improve tomorrow. We weigh supervised/unsupervised driver assistance capability, infotainment platforms and app ecosystems, compute power and sensors, efficiency and charging speeds, over‑the‑air (OTA) update cadence, and how widely features are actually available in your region.

Leaders by category

Most advanced driver assistance and automated driving

This list focuses on systems that materially reduce driver workload or, in limited cases, legally allow eyes‑off driving. Availability varies by market and trim, and all require driver responsibility unless explicitly certified as Level 3 in a specific jurisdiction.

• Mercedes‑Benz EQS and S‑Class with Drive Pilot (U.S. CA/NV): Only SAE Level 3 system approved in the U.S., enabling eyes‑off driving up to about 40 mph on certified stretches. Extensive redundancy, LiDAR and HD‑maps, and strict operational design domain.
• Tesla Model S/3/X/Y/Cybertruck with Autopilot + FSD Beta v12: Powerful, end‑to‑end AI approach and the most frequent OTA upgrades; still classified as Level 2 (supervised) and feature availability varies by region and regulations.
• GM Super Cruise (Cadillac Lyriq/Escalade, Chevy/GMC trucks/SUVs): Among the most reliable hands‑free highway systems, with automatic lane changes, towing support, and a large mapped network; subscription after trial on many trims.
• BMW i7/7 Series (and iX/i5 in certain trims): Highway Assistant supports hands‑free driving at high speeds where allowed, with smooth lane changes and attentive driver‑monitoring.
• Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3: LiDAR‑equipped, NVIDIA Orin‑based stack designed for future unsupervised capability; today delivers robust supervised assistance with strong safety monitoring.
• XPeng G9/G6 (China): City NGP/XNGP offers advanced urban Navigate on Pilot, increasingly map‑light; a leader in dense‑traffic ADAS inside China.
• Nio ET7/ET5 (China/Europe): NAD hardware with Innovusion LiDAR and multiple NVIDIA Orin chips; strong highway and growing urban assistance with rapid software iteration.
• Ford BlueCruise (Mustang Mach‑E, F‑150, etc.): Solid hands‑free highway system with lane‑change assist and lane‑positioning refinements; subscription‑based on many trims.

If you want the most hands‑off capability in the U.S. today, Mercedes stands alone with true Level 3 in limited zones, while GM, BMW, and Ford deliver highly polished hands‑free Level 2 on highways; Tesla leads in rapid software evolution and breadth of features, albeit still supervised.

Best infotainment, UX, and app ecosystems

These vehicles stand out for responsive interfaces, voice assistants, third‑party app support, and OTA upgrades that meaningfully add features over time.

• Tesla lineup: Fast UI, consistent OTA feature drops, robust trip planning, and seamless integration across screens; limited native third‑party apps by design but strong first‑party tools.
• Volvo (EX30, EX90) and Polestar (2, 3): Android Automotive OS with Google built‑in, excellent Google Maps integration for EV routing, and a growing native app catalog.
• Mercedes‑Benz (EQS/EQE/S‑Class/E‑Class): MBUX with rich graphics, optional Hyperscreen, multiple voice assistants, and deep vehicle function integration.
• BMW (i7/7 Series, i5/iX): iDrive 8.5/9 with fast hardware, natural voice, and sophisticated personalization; strong route planning and clear driver‑assistance visualization.
• Porsche Taycan (latest refresh): Sharper PCM interface, native app ecosystem expansion, and high‑quality Apple CarPlay integration across displays.
• Rivian R1T/R1S: Clean, tablet‑like UI, adventure‑centric features, and frequent OTAs that add capability and refine driver assistance.
• GM “Google built‑in” (Cadillac, Chevy, GMC, Buick EVs): Deep Google services integration; note that some new GM EVs forgo Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, which is a buyer preference factor.
• Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 5/6 (latest software): Modern connected car platforms with full OTA capability, user profiles, and robust smartphone key options.

If you prize app ecosystems and Google integration, Volvo/Polestar and GM’s Google built‑in lead; for speed and polish, Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes remain top choices, with Rivian offering a fresh, OTA‑driven experience.

EV efficiency, charging speed, and energy management

These cars highlight the state of the art in power electronics, battery management, routing, and real‑world charging performance—critical for road‑trip ease and total cost of ownership.

• Lucid Air: Industry‑leading efficiency and long range, 900+V architecture, very high peak DC charging, smart preconditioning, and sophisticated thermal management.
• Tesla Model 3/Y/S/X: Strong efficiency, reliable routing, and broad access to the Supercharger network, with smart preconditioning and mature trip planning.
• Porsche Taycan (latest refresh): Significantly improved charging curve on its 800‑V system, with peak rates above 300 kW in ideal conditions, plus efficient thermal control.
• Hyundai Ioniq 5/6 and Kia EV9 (E‑GMP): 800‑V charging architecture enabling very quick 10–80% sessions, bi‑directional power features, and competitive efficiency.
• BMW i4/i5/i7 and iX: Consistent DC charging performance, preconditioning tied to route planning, and stable long‑trip behavior.
• Rivian R1T/R1S: Continual software improvements to charging and route planning, strong thermal prep, and a growing fast‑charging partner network.

If fast road‑trip charging and low consumption are priorities, Lucid, Porsche’s refreshed Taycan, and 800‑V Hyundai/Kia models set the pace, with Tesla remaining the most effortless ecosystem overall.

Safety and sensor hardware

Below are vehicles notable for rich sensor suites (including LiDAR), high‑compute platforms, and sophisticated driver monitoring and occupant safety technology.

• Volvo EX90: Standard roof‑mounted LiDAR in many markets, driver monitoring, interior occupant radar, and NVIDIA Orin compute; a safety‑first reference design.
• Lucid Air (DreamDrive Pro): 32‑sensor array including LiDAR, surround cameras, radar, and driver monitoring; designed for high‑feature ADAS growth via OTA.
• Mercedes‑Benz with Drive Pilot: Redundant sensing (LiDAR, radar, cameras, microphones), HD maps, and resilient architecture certified for Level 3 use cases.
• Audi Q6 e‑tron/Q8 e‑tron (latest platforms): Next‑gen E/E architecture, advanced lighting and visualization, and robust ADAS sensor fusion.
• Subaru (EyeSight on latest models): Wide‑angle stereo cameras with strong pedestrian/cyclist detection performance and steady incremental improvements.

If your top concern is passive and active safety with future‑proof headroom, Volvo’s EX90 and Lucid’s Air offer standout hardware foundations, with Mercedes setting the regulatory benchmark for conditional automation.

Best value for technology

These models deliver an outsized mix of driver assistance, connectivity, and charging performance for the price, plus solid OTA strategies to improve over time.

• Kia EV9: Three‑row EV with modern software platform, hands‑on driver assistance that continues to improve, and family‑friendly tech features at a competitive price.
• Hyundai Ioniq 5/6: Quick 800‑V charging, capable assistance features, and frequent software refinements at accessible pricing.
• Tesla Model 3: Strong efficiency, mature software, wide charging access, and steady OTA updates at mainstream pricing.
• Ford Mustang Mach‑E: BlueCruise availability, improving charging and route planning, and a healthy ecosystem of connected features.
• Volkswagen ID.4/ID.7 (latest software): Better infotainment performance, Travel Assist with “swarm” data, and solid value in markets where incentives apply.

For families and budgets, Kia’s EV9 and Hyundai’s Ioniq duo are hard to beat, while the Model 3 remains a software leader at a compelling price point.

Regional realities, subscriptions, and fine print

Advanced driver assistance feature sets, speeds, and availability are heavily shaped by local regulations, homologation, and map coverage. A system rated highly in China (e.g., XPeng’s city pilot) may not exist yet in North America or Europe. Conversely, Mercedes’ Level 3 in the U.S. is limited to California and Nevada and to certain models and highways. Many brands now gate hands‑free driving, connected services, or navigation features behind subscriptions after an initial trial, so check total cost of ownership. Finally, promises of “future” autonomous capability often depend on further regulatory approvals—buy for what works today, and treat future features as a bonus.

Buying advice: matching tech to your priorities

The checklist below helps align a car’s technology with your real‑world needs, whether you commute, road‑trip, or want the latest driver assistance.

1. Decide your top priority: hands‑free cruising, city assistance, infotainment/apps, or charging speed and efficiency.
2. Verify regional availability and speeds for ADAS features (what’s certified where you live and drive).
3. Test‑drive the interface: voice, navigation, phone integration, and driver monitoring alerts can be make‑or‑break.
4. Map your routes: compare charging networks, peak power, and real‑world charging curves for your typical trips.
5. Read the fine print on subscriptions and OTA roadmaps so you’re not surprised by ongoing costs.

Following these steps will narrow your shortlist to cars whose technology you’ll actually use—and enjoy—every day.

Bottom line

If you want the most capable hands‑off tech today in the U.S., Mercedes (Drive Pilot) is the regulatory leader. For the strongest software ecosystem and rapid iteration, Tesla remains a standout. For safety‑first hardware and future‑ready compute, look to Volvo EX90/Polestar 3 and Lucid Air. Porsche’s refreshed Taycan and Hyundai/Kia’s 800‑V models set fast‑charging benchmarks, while GM’s Super Cruise, BMW’s Highway Assistant, and Ford’s BlueCruise deliver polished long‑distance ease. In China, XPeng and Nio push the frontier of urban driver assistance. Your best choice depends on where you drive and which tech you’ll use most.