More cars getting back-up cameras, infotainment systems

Safety systems headline the technology category at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, which opens to the public Saturday, Feb. 14.

While automakers roll out new safety features, rearview cameras and crash-avoidance systems are becoming available in a wider variety of cars — including some entry-level vehicles.

“Affordable vehicles are benefitting from these new technologies,” says Tom Appel, publisher of Consumer Guide Automotive, which has been reviewing cars since 1967. “A lot of technology is now available at a lower price point.”

Honda is coming in big, as the manufacturer is now building rearview cameras into its entire fleet.

“If you’ve never had (a rearview camera), it doesn’t make a difference, but when you have them, they’re wonderful. They’re a wonderful thing to have,” Appel said.

Cameras are making their way into Mazda’s 2016 fleet as well, becoming a main feature of the manufacturer’s i-Activsense safety system.

Subaru will be let visitors at the Chicago Auto Show test drive and demo the latest EyeSight system, now with color stereo cameras instead of lasers.

“It can actually ‘see’ the object ahead and decide better how to brake,” Subaru spokesman Michael McHale said.

Eyesight, a driver-assist technology, arrived on U.S. soil in 2013 and is now in its third generation. The upgraded version is offered on the 2015 Subaru Forester, Legacy and Outback, but the manufacturer said it plans to expand its availability to other models.

Chevrolet now makes safety systems — lane departure warnings, side blind zone alert, automatic braking and forward collision alerts — available on vehicles ranging from the Cruze to the Tahoe, and even the Silverado.

General Motors, Chevrolet’s parent company, is rolling out Wi-Fi hotspots across its brands, including GMC, Buick and Cadillac. The manufacturer’s OnStar 4G LTE hotspot is now built into a selection of 2015 vehicles, allowing passengers to connect their cars and most smartphones and tablets, to the Internet.

Mazda is also catching the Wi-Fi fever, this time through its infotainment system Mazda Connect, which first showed up in 2013. The in-car infotainment system offers internet connectivity and communications, Bluetooth, hands-free phone operation, reception of short text messages and internet radio including Aha by Harman.

While automakers such as Cadillac use built-in infotainment systems, other manufacturers are using ones based on mobile applications like a smartphone.

One of the app-based systems is Ford’s new Sync 3, which has enhanced voice recognition and a cleaner graphic interface. Running on BlackBerry’s QNX operating system instead of Microsoft, Sync 3 will be available in 2016 model vehicles.

Although Sync 3 is designed for hands-free use, an intuitive touchscreen, Applink and Siri capability will make the app experience smoother for users, said Mike Moran, a Ford spokesman said. Wireless software updates and 911 assistance round up the latest version of the system.