Nothing beats a family road trip. I fondly remember hitting the open road with my family, with all of our belongings crammed into Dad's station wagon. It was eighteen hours on the road to South Carolina, with little to do but fight with my siblings, eat, and play games such as "I Spy with My Little Eye." It's a different story now, with modern conveniences that make family trips more enjoyable. Here are some of the latest – I wish I had them growing up.
1. Flexible Seating
Every kid will have room to spare in the Lexus LX 470, which seats up to
eight. With flexible seating, you won’t break your back trying to raise and
lower the second or third row seats. Just touch a button inside the cargo area
and the seats come down in a cinch.
2. Hands-Free Trunk
There’s no need to fiddle with keys to unlock the trunk anymore. The hands-free trunk opener from Mercedes
is easy to use: just wave your foot under the rear bumper and voila, the trunk
opens for you instantly. Beware, though, it can be fickle when wearing boots
with buckles.
3. Versatile Cargo Space
This Nissan Versa Note has cargo space to
spare. A Divide-N-Hide adjustable floor is smart. It lets you adjust the height
of the load floor to accommodate big, bulky items. There’s even a hidden
compartment, perfect for separating dirty shoes or wet swimsuits from your clean
clothes.
4. Power Liftgates
Power liftgates
make loading and unloading suitcases, grocery bags, and hockey equipment a
breeze. Push a button on this 2015 Cadillac Escalade and the tailgate raises and lowers
automatically. You can even operate it via a button on your key fob.
5. Keyless Driving
Are you sick of searching for your keys? Now you can leave them in your
pocket or buried in the bottomless pit of your purse. The Jaguar F-Type has a
keyless entry system – walk up to
the car and the doors unlock automatically. Start the engine by pushing the
bright yellow button - no need for a key.
6. Dual DVD players
DVD entertainment systems will keep kids occupied for endless hours. With the dual DVD screens integrated into the front seat headrests in the Hyundai Equus, there’s no need for kids to fight about which movie to watch.
7. Plugs Galore
The 2015 Chrysler 200 has clever storage spots for all your tech gadgets.
Hidden under the cup holders is a storage area complete with power outlets,
audio jacks, and remote USB ports. There’s even a hole for your iPod plug that
connects to another hidden compartment.
8. Safety Sensors
The Volvo V60 has the world’s first cyclist detection system. It uses sensors
to monitor the area in front of your vehicle. If a cyclist darts in front of
your car, the system will automatically applies the brakes to avoid an accident.
The upcoming Volvo XC90 will go one step further by detecting animals in your
path, too.
9. Self-Parking
The 2014 Jeep Cherokee can park itself in either perpendicular or parallel
parking spots. It’ll find a parking spot and guide you in – the driver controls
the gas and brake while the steering wheel whips around by itself.
10. Accident Avoidance
Infiniti’s Predictive Forward
Collision Warning system warns of dangers up to two cars ahead of you. If the
system senses a crash, it’ll warn you with audible and visual cues – perfect for
parents distracted by screaming kids in the back seat.