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As new cars have gotten more advanced, so has the technology offered. With more advanced and modern technology, cars have gotten more expensive, especially with the microchip shortage of the last year. When drivers are looking for a new car, they often want those modern features but don’t want to pay higher prices. Luckily, quite a few different cars are available that are friendly to your wallet while still having the advanced technology they want.

What technology do drivers want?

Drivers shopping for a new car often want advanced driver assistance technology to offer more confidence on the road. This technology is ready to provide drivers and passengers more safety to tackle more roads. These features are prepared to offer drivers more confidence and safety, and make busy commutes more relaxing.

According to Cars, drivers most often want technology like Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Centering Assistance. Those features were usually reserved for higher-priced cars, but nowadays, many lower-priced models can include these driver assistance technologies.

  • Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go: While a relatively common feature, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go helps make long highway drives more enjoyable. This feature allows the maintain a pre-desired speed and the following distance and adjust the pace with the traffic flow. It will even bring you to a stop and keep you stopped if necessary.
  • Lane Centering Assistance: Using cameras, the car will read the road markings and the vehicle in front of you and keep your car centered in your lane. Depending on the system, it can work at highway speeds and can even bring you to a stop if necessary. Make sure to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes ahead.

What budget-friendly cars offer these features?

A few great cars will offer the two features above and many other technologies. They are also much lighter on your wallet. These specific cars all start at or below $25,000 and can get a bit pricier. But most importantly, they come standard with those technologies. No matter what you are looking for in terms of a new car, these models could be perfect for you.

Toyota Prius

a 2022 toyota prius nightshade, a budget-friendly car with tons of high end technology like adaptive cruise control
2022 Toyota Prius Nightshade | Toyota

The Toyota Prius is a trendy and sought-after car that offers impressive efficiency. While that efficiency is desired because of the current gas prices, the new Toyota Prius also provides great driver assistance technology. The Toyota Prius L Eco and Toyota Prius LE offer those two features above. They can also offer other features thanks to the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 package. The LE model will also add blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and parking sensors.

Hyundai Sonata

An overhead view of a red 2022 Hyundai Sonata parked on a concrete lot in front of a building
2022 Hyundai Sonata Overhead | Hyundai

Fewer models are as desirable as a new Hyundai Sonata for drivers who want a stylish and comfortable sedan. Thanks to a redesign and a few great trim levels, the new Hyundai Sonata is the advanced sedan drivers love. The base SE trim will come with both Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Centering Assistance. If you decide you want more, you can also enjoy blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on the SEL trim level.

Subaru Legacy

The Subaru Legacy is one of the most popular sedans, thanks to the standard all-wheel drive drivers in any climate will love. More importantly, a new Subaru Legacy can offer you an abundance of standard driver assistance technology. Of course, you can enjoy Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Centering Assistance, but higher trim levels, which are also budget-friendly, can offer blind-spot detection with lane change assist.

Hyundai Elantra

a red hyundai elantra parked with the high end features and technology you want
A 2022 Hyundai Elantra | Hyundai

The new Hyundai Elantra is among the most impressive new compact sedans and can help all drivers enjoy every road. Suppose you are looking to enjoy the advanced driver assistance technology you want. In that case, the base model is an excellent place to start, but step up to either the SEL trim or Limited trim to enjoy Hyundai’s Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Highway Driving Assist. There are even more features available thanks to optional packages.

Toyota Corolla

a 2022 toyota corolla apex, a sporty take on the comfortable sedan with the features you want such as adaptive cruise control
2022 Toyota Corolla Apex | Toyota

The Toyota Corolla has long been one of the most popular and highest-selling compact sedans. The newest model continues that excellence. The Toyota Corolla comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 package, which offers both Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Centering Assist and many other features!

These cars can help you enjoy top-notch technology at a better price

These five models are top choices for shoppers looking for a comfortable sedan that offers outstanding technology while keeping their budget in better shape. No matter what you want or what you need, these models will be ready to stand out.

Dig into these models and see why enjoying these advanced technologies can improve your every drive.

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