2021 Mazda CX-9 liftgate.
General

What Is a Hands-Free Liftgate?

A hands-free liftgate is a powered opening in the rear of vehicles like car trunks,  hatchbacks, minivans, SUVs, and wagons, usually triggered by sensors used to detect the key fob approaching the vehicle’s rear.

Honda Accord Traffic Sign Recognition
General

What Is Traffic-Sign Recognition?

Traffic-sign recognition is an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) using a forward-pointed camera to identify road signs. The system matches signs to a catalog of common road signs and notifies the driver with icons in the instrument panel, head-up display, and infotainment display.

2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek rear seats
General

What Is a Third-Row Seat?

Car shoppers looking for generous passenger space can typically find a third-row seat in crossovers, minivans, and SUVs. The third-row seat can accommodate two to three people in the vehicle’s back third. While a third-row seat is standard in many full-size and midsize vehicles, it can be an option in some vehicles.

Red 2021 Audi RS7 Sportback with dynamic all-wheel steering driving on a road near rocks.
General

What Is 4-Wheel Steering?

Four-wheel steering is when the rear wheels turn in conjunction with the front wheels, the set primarily tasked with steering function. In fact, 4-wheel steering is sometimes called “rear-wheel steering” or “all-wheel steering.” 

iStock fog lights
General

What Are Fog Lights?

Fog lights or fog lamps are auxiliary illumination sources separate from headlights, typically mounted beneath the front bumper. The lower positioning of the fog lights allows their beams to light up the road underneath the fog layer. Fog lights increase the driver’s ability to see the road and traffic in dense fog and tend to work best in isolation, independently of the headlights.

2022 Infiniti QX60
General

What Is a Telescoping Steering Wheel?

To increase driving comfort and fine-tune driving position, a driver can manipulate the distance of a telescoping steering wheel to them by moving it closer or farther. The telescopic action can be performed manually by releasing a lever and pulling or pushing the wheel to the desired distance. Some vehicles offer power-operated telescoping steering wheels.

RT 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL Black Leather Front Seats
General

What Are Synthetic Leather Seats?

Synthetic leather seats use man-made materials to imitate the look and feel of natural leather. Some versions are marketed as vegan leather, while others represent a less expensive alternative to animal leather. 

The 360-degree surround view monitor of the 2023 Subaru Ascent
General

What Is a Surround-View Camera?

Sometimes called a 360-degree or bird’s-eye view camera, a surround-view camera uses a series of cameras installed around the exterior of a vehicle. A computer stitches the footage from these cameras to approximate an overhead view of the vehicle. The system sends these images to a monitor so the driver can see any objects in the space surrounding the vehicle.