As the automotive industry shifts towards 2025, there will once again be a plethora of models arriving on the market over the next six months. As consumers know, technology is increasing by leaps and bounds, and 2025 will showcase many new and advanced innovations. From improved driver assistance technology and more efficient powertrains to market-firsts in safety and comfort, new 2025 vehicles coming to Ontario are packed with impressive technologies. Here is an overview of some of the remarkable new features coming to new vehicles in 2025.
1. Honda Civic Sport Touring Hybrid: Google Built-In
The 2025 Honda Civic Sport Touring Hybrid debuts with Google built-in, offering a seamless integration of Google's ecosystem into the driving experience. With Google Assistant, drivers can perform hands-free tasks like calling contacts, sending texts, or adjusting the car’s climate. The system also supports Google Maps for navigation, with turn-by-turn directions displayed directly in the instrument cluster. Drivers can access media apps, such as music and podcasts, via Google Play, making the infotainment system as customizable as a smartphone. This connected experience enhances convenience, with voice control minimizing distractions on the road.
2. Toyota: Advanced Rear Seat Reminder
Toyota introduces its Advanced Rear Seat Reminder, powered by millimetre-wave radar technology. Unlike conventional systems that use ultrasonic sensors, this radar scans the second and third rows for movement even after the vehicle has been turned off. If the system detects movement, it alerts the driver through hazard lights, a door chime, and, if ignored, escalates to a horn alarm. Notifications can also be sent to the driver’s smartphone via the Toyota app. This system can detect movements beneath blankets or in low-light conditions, addressing concerns about children or pets being left in the vehicle.
3. Cadillac Escalade: Power Open-and-Close Exterior Doors
Cadillac's 2025 Escalade Platinum and V-Series trims introduce power-operated doors, bringing a new level of convenience. All four doors can be opened and closed with the touch of a button on the door handle or through the vehicle’s command center. Additionally, the driver’s door can automatically open when the key fob is detected nearby. This feature simplifies entry and exit, particularly in situations where manual door handling is cumbersome, such as in tight parking spaces.
4. Mercedes-Benz G 580 Electric: G-Turn Off-Road Functionality
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ technology introduces the G-Turn feature, a groundbreaking off-road capability. This function allows the electric G-Class to rotate on the spot by turning its wheels in opposite directions, effectively pivoting like a tank. Designed for off-road conditions where forward movement is blocked, the G-Turn helps drivers maneuver around obstacles without the need for complex turns. This feature showcases the flexibility of electric drive technology, making off-road driving more adaptable and efficient.
5. Ram 1500: Uconnect 5 Infotainment System
The 2025 Ram 1500 introduces an enhanced version of its Uconnect infotainment system, featuring a larger 14.5-inch touchscreen with improved resolution and responsiveness. The system also includes a new 10.25-inch passenger display, offering co-pilot navigation, entertainment controls, and camera views. With faster operating speeds thanks to its upgraded electrical architecture, Uconnect 5 provides a more intuitive user experience, allowing for multi-tasking on the screen and quicker interaction with vehicle functions.
6. Audi Q6 e-tron: Digital OLED Rear Lights 2.0
Audi’s second-generation digital OLED rear lights debut in the 2025 Q6 e-tron, combining aesthetics with safety. These advanced lights use segmented OLED panels to create customizable light signatures, which can be altered via the MMI system or the myAudi app. In addition to personalization, the lights include communication features that enhance road safety, displaying warning symbols to other drivers in the event of accidents or road hazards. This system represents a leap in how vehicles use lighting for both design and interaction with the environment.
7. Hyundai IONIQ 5: Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 (RSPA 2)
The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 introduces Remote Smart Parking Assist 2, an enhanced version of Hyundai’s autonomous parking system. RSPA 2 allows the vehicle to park itself in tight spaces without driver input, managing forward, reverse, and side parking scenarios. The system also includes parking collision-avoidance technology, which detects obstacles in all directions and can stop the vehicle to prevent minor accidents. This feature reflects the growing trend toward automated driving technologies that improve both convenience and safety in urban environments.
8. Lincoln Navigator: BlueCruise Hands-Free Driving
Lincoln’s 2025 Navigator incorporates BlueCruise, a hands-free highway driving system that handles acceleration, braking, and steering on designated highways. The latest version of BlueCruise includes Lane Change Assist, which automatically initiates lane changes when the turn signal is tapped, and In-Lane Repositioning, which adjusts the vehicle’s position to give more space between lanes when adjacent vehicles are too close. This system is part of a larger shift toward autonomous driving technologies, providing drivers with more comfort and reducing stress during long journeys.
9. Volkswagen ID.7: Augmented Reality Head-Up Display
Volkswagen has integrated an advanced augmented reality (AR) head-up display in the ID.7, fundamentally changing how drivers interact with vehicle information. The system projects key driving data directly onto the windshield, within the driver’s natural line of sight. This includes navigation directions, speed limits, and distance alerts, allowing drivers to stay focused on the road without needing to glance at traditional dashboard displays. Information is layered into close-range (3.8 yards) and far-range views (10.4 yards), providing real-time updates on current speeds, lane markings, and navigation instructions. This technology also integrates lane-level navigation, which guides drivers more precisely, such as in complex highway merges or exits.
10. Volkswagen ID.7: Smart Air Vents with Auto Climate Control
Building on past innovations in climate control, Volkswagen introduces fully automated smart air vents in the ID.7. These vents use electronically controlled motors to adjust airflow both vertically and horizontally, distributing air more efficiently across the cabin. The system can start cooling or heating as soon as the driver approaches the vehicle with the key, ensuring comfort before stepping inside. Drivers can also fine-tune the airflow through the central infotainment system, providing personalized climate control for different areas of the vehicle.
The Future Is Here
These technologies showcase the rapid evolution of the automotive industry as it moves toward more intelligent, automated, and personalized experiences. From enhanced safety features to improved convenience and connectivity, 2025 vehicles offer innovations that reshape how we drive and interact with our cars.