{"id":23247,"date":"2019-01-02T22:03:23","date_gmt":"2019-01-03T02:03:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=23247"},"modified":"2019-01-02T22:03:23","modified_gmt":"2019-01-03T02:03:23","slug":"2018-in-autos-10-best-new-features","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2019\/01\/2018-in-autos-10-best-new-features","title":{"rendered":"2018 in autos: 10 best new features"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Features<\/p>\n

The pace of change in the auto industry is unrelenting. In addition to advancements in design and mechanical engineering across a multitude of platforms \u2013 sports car, SUV, sedan, pickup, minivan\u00a0\u2013 the digital revolution has brought a new dimension to vehicle connectivity and safety.<\/p>\n

Herewith, the 10-best\u00a0features that debuted in the last year.<\/p>\n

1. GMC Sierra MultiPro tailgate<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pickups are about beds, and the\u00a0Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra twins bring the toughest, cinder-block-catching, rolled-steel beds in class. But the Sierra separated itself with a unique, multipurpose tailgate that can be configured six different ways. MultiPro is, fundamentally, a tailgate within a tailgate so that, for example, the inner gate\u00a0can be raised to act as a bump-stop for long boards. Or it can be folded downward\u00a0to create stair steps into the truck. Clever.<\/p>\n

More:\u00a0<\/strong>2018 in autos: 10 things that drove us batty<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

2. Subaru Ascent’s 19 cupholders<\/strong><\/p>\n

Horsepower wars? Let’s talk cupholder wars. Pack families into three-row SUVs and they are going to bring drinks to go: coffee cups, thermoses, Big Gulps, Slurpees, soda cans, you name it. Subaru figures you’ll need 19 cupholders. That’s a record…\u00a0for now.<\/p>\n

3. Ford Trail Control<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ford is the geek kid who always comes to class with the latest technology:\u00a0self-park assist, SYNC, Trailer Assist. The 2015 Ford F-150 was the first pickup with adaptive cruise-control. So\u00a0it’s no surprise that Ford this year offered up Trail Control, a sort of low-speed, off-road adaptive cruise for the Raptor and Ranger pickups. The driver can concentrate on steering through the scenery while the truck takes care of the throttle.<\/p>\n

4. Tesla Summon<\/strong><\/p>\n

Summon is a sure-fire party trick from Silicon Valley’s EV\u00a0pioneer. First introduced on the pricey Model S, the feature this year became\u00a0common to tens of thousands of Model 3 buyers. Summon essentially makes your phone (via Tesla app) a remote control for your Model 3 so you can stand outside\u00a0and pull the car out of tight parking spaces, walk it down the street, whatever.<\/p>\n

5) Mazda i-ACTIVSENSE<\/strong><\/p>\n

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