Car Technology
Infotainment, CarPlay and Android Auto, connected-car apps, keyless entry, parking cameras and digital dashboards — the technology in new cars, explained plainly.
5 topics · 20 answered questions · 2 articles
Technology is now one of the main things that separates a new car from a car that is only a few years old. Touchscreens have replaced buttons, phones have replaced built-in navigation, cars connect to the internet and to apps on your phone, and the instrument cluster in front of the driver has become a screen. Some of this genuinely improves daily driving; some of it is there because it looks good in a showroom and is best judged on a test drive rather than a brochure.
This category explains the technology you will meet in a new car in South Africa: what infotainment systems do and how Apple CarPlay and Android Auto fit in, what a connected car means for you and your data, how keyless entry works and the security questions it raises, the parking aids that save bumpers, and how to read a digital dashboard. Every one of the 1 318 new cars in the Car4Less showroom lists its technology by variant, so you can compare before you enquire.
Topics
Explore Car Technology
Each topic has its own page with a plain-English explanation, the related articles and the questions people ask most.
Infotainment, CarPlay & Android Auto
How in-car infotainment works, what Apple CarPlay and Android Auto do, wired versus wireless, and whether built-in navigation still matters.
1 article · 4 answers
Connected Cars & Apps
What a connected car does, manufacturer apps, remote lock and tracking, over-the-air updates, data privacy and what happens when the subscription ends.
1 article · 4 answers
Keyless Entry & Convenience
How keyless entry and push-button start work, the relay-theft risk and how to reduce it, plus the convenience features that earn their place daily.
4 answers
Parking Sensors & Cameras
Reversing cameras, front and rear sensors, 360-degree camera systems and automatic parking — what each does and which saves the most bumpers.
4 answers
Digital Dashboards
Digital instrument clusters, head-up displays and configurable screens — what they show, how to set them up and whether they beat analogue dials.
4 answers
Articles
Latest in Car Technology
What a Connected Car Means for a South African Owner
New cars increasingly carry their own SIM card and a phone app to match. This explains what a connected car can actually do for you, what it costs after the free period, how it fits with insurance tracking in South Africa, and what you should know about your data.
04 Sep 2026 · 4 min read
Is Built-In Navigation Still Worth It When You Have CarPlay and Android Auto?
Manufacturers still charge for built-in satnav on many new cars, yet most drivers navigate with their phone. Here is an honest look at when the built-in system earns its price in South Africa, when phone projection is all you need, and what to check on a test drive.
12 Aug 2026 · 4 min read
Quick answers
One question from each topic. Open the topic for the full set.
What is the difference between Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
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They do the same job for different phones. Apple CarPlay projects a simplified iPhone interface onto the car's screen; Android Auto does the same for Android phones. Both give you your own navigation, music, podcasts, calls and messages through the car's display, steering-wheel buttons and voice assistant. Most new cars support both, so the phone you own decides which you use.
What can a connected-car app actually do?
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Typical functions include locating the car on a map, locking and unlocking remotely, checking fuel or battery level and range, viewing trip history, receiving service and warning alerts, and on many models starting the climate control before you arrive. Electric vehicles add charging control and scheduling. The exact list depends on the manufacturer and the trim level.
How does keyless entry work?
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The car continuously listens for a low-power radio signal from the key. When the key is within a short distance and you touch or pull the door handle, the car verifies the key's coded response and unlocks. Inside, a button starts the engine as long as the key is detected in the cabin. The key still contains a mechanical blade for emergencies.
Is a reversing camera or rear sensors more useful?
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They complement each other. The camera shows what is behind the car, including low objects and children that sensors can miss, while sensors give a distance warning that works in the dark, in rain and when the camera lens is dirty. If you can only have one, the camera prevents more serious accidents; having both is now common on new cars.
What is a digital instrument cluster?
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It is a screen that replaces the traditional analogue speedometer and rev counter behind the steering wheel. It can display speed and revs as dials or numbers, and switch to navigation, media, trip data or driver-assistance information at the touch of a steering-wheel button. Most can be customised so the layout you prefer appears every time you start the car.
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Trade-Ins
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Choosing the Right Vehicle
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Body Styles & Segments
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Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid & Electric
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Put it into practice
Browse over 1 318 new cars, every one below the manufacturer's retail price.