Modern cars are packed with technology, designed to enhance safety, comfort and convenience – but for some drivers, they can be a real source of confusion.
A new data-led deep dive reveals which modern car features are leaving motorists baffled. We analysed thousands of monthly Google searches relating to modern car features to uncover the tech that motorists don’t understand.
Top Modern Car Features Brits Are Confused About
Using Google search data, we looked at the most commonly queried features in the UK, based on how many people are asking two key questions: “What is [feature]?” and “How does [feature] work?”. We combined the total search volume for these two questions to reveal the most confusing car tech:
| Rank | Feature | Total Volume |
| 1 | Android Auto | 3,220 |
| 2 | Apple CarPlay | 2,220 |
| 3 | Traction Control System | 1,260 |
| 4 | Regenerative Braking | 1,110 |
| 5 | Telematics | 1,090 |
| 6 | Adaptive Cruise Control | 950 |
| 7 | Electronic Stability Control | 750 |
| 8 | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | 510 |
| 9 | Hill Start Assist | 490 |
| 10 | Head up Display | 370 |
The most Googled feature by far is Android Auto, racking up 3,220 monthly searches from curious UK drivers. The feature has even edged out its iOS counterpart, Apple CarPlay, by a comfortable margin with 2,200 total searches. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are software systems which allow you to mirror your phone’s interface on your car’s display screen. It makes connecting your music, using phone navigation apps, and communicating easier.
Drivers are also puzzled by safety essentials like traction control and electronic stability control, both crucial but perhaps under-explained. In simple terms, traction control helps prevent your wheels from spinning when you accelerate. Electronic stability control (ESC) goes one step further: if your car starts to skid, ESC can apply the brakes on individual wheels to help steer it back in line.
Even basics like hill start assists and tyre pressure monitoring systems make the list, suggesting many car owners aren’t as in tune with their vehicles as manufacturers might think. It’s not just about infotainment or tech gimmicks – some of these features directly affect driving performance and safety. When drivers don’t understand them, it undermines their usefulness entirely.
Telematics also appears in the top five: a catch-all term that covers things like GPS tracking, performance data, and even driver behaviour monitoring.
Which UK Cities are Most Confused by Car Tech?
After identifying the top features UK drivers struggle to understand, we broke down search data by location to see which of the ten most populous UK cities are asking the most questions.
| Rank | City | Total Annual Volume |
| 1 | London | 24,230 |
| 2 | Birmingham | 4,470 |
| 3 | Manchester | 2,780 |
| 4 | Leeds | 2,510 |
| 5 | Glasgow | 2,430 |
| 6 | Bristol | 2,150 |
| 7 | Edinburgh | 2,150 |
| 8 | Liverpool | 2,120 |
| 9 | Sheffield | 1,760 |
| 10 | Bradford | 1,420 |
London tops the UK list of most confused car owners, with over 24,000 annual queries. In second place is Birmingham with 4,470 annual queries, followed by Manchester with 2,780 searches.
Bradford – the next EV capital?
Out of all the UK cities, each city searched for Android Auto the most, except Bradford – where regenerative braking was the most-searched car feature. Regenerative braking captures energy during deceleration to recharge the battery. Whether it’s down to an increase in EV adoption or local curiosity, Bradford drivers are showing a unique focus on learning how hybrid and electric powertrains work.
Top Modern Car Features Americans are Confused About
Just like in the UK, American drivers are looking to Google to make sense of their modern motors. We turned our focus to the US to understand which features people in the states are struggling with the most:
| Rank | Feature | Total Volume |
| 1 | Android Auto | 10,780 |
| 2 | Apple CarPlay | 7,600 |
| 3 | Adaptive Cruise Control | 5,660 |
| 4 | Traction Control System | 5,400 |
| 5 | Regenerative Braking | 4,800 |
| 6 | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | 4,500 |
| 7 | All-Wheel Drive | 4,190 |
| 8 | Electronic Stability Control | 3,690 |
| 9 | Telematics | 2,490 |
| 10 | Head-Up Display | 1,860 |
Android Auto tops the list in the US too, with over 10,000 searches per month, followed by Apple CarPlay at 7,600 searches per month.
Adaptive cruise control is the third most searched for in the US, despite coming out as sixth in the UK. This feature allows vehicles to speed up and slow down automatically in order to keep pace with surrounding traffic. These cars use a radar or laser system to scan the road, so they can automatically adjust. You just have to set your desired speed, and you can take your foot off the gas. Some systems will automatically brake for you if you get close to a vehicle, or some will alert you to brake.
All wheel drive (AWD) is the seventh most searched for feature in the US – and notably, this doesn’t appear as a popular search in the UK. All wheel drive, often confused with four-wheel drive, is clearly not as well understood as you might expect in a country known for snowy winters and rugged terrain. AWD is similar to four-wheel drive in that the drivetrain distributes power to all four wheels to improve road traction, but AWD doesn’t need driver intervention and turns on automatically.
Which US Cities are Searching for Car Tech the Most?
After identifying the top features US drivers struggle to understand, we broke down search data by location to see which of the ten most populous US cities are asking the most questions:
| Rank | City | Total Annual Volume |
| 1 | New York | 15,400 |
| 2 | Los Angeles | 8,640 |
| 3 | Houston | 6,930 |
| 4 | Chicago | 6,540 |
| 5 | Dallas | 4,700 |
| 6 | San Diego | 4,050 |
| 7 | Phoenix | 4,010 |
| 8 | San Antonio | 3,530 |
| 9 | Philadelphia | 3,420 |
| 10 | San Jose | 3,070 |
New York leads the way, with over 15,000 monthly searches, showing a strong appetite for car tech knowledge. Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago follow, reflecting the tech interest in cities where driving is a daily necessity.
New York Searches for All-Wheel Drive the Most
Unlike every other major US city in our study, where Android Auto was the top-searched term, New York City had one outlier: All-Wheel Drive.
New Yorkers, often navigating tricky weather or unpredictable road surfaces in upstate weekend getaways, searched more about all-wheel drive than any other feature. This suggests a practical curiosity: AWD can be a selling point, but clearly it’s also a point of confusion. Whether it’s the difference between AWD and 4WD, or just wondering how it helps in rain and snow, it’s a topic drivers in the Empire State are keen to understand.
Motoring Expert Calls on Manufacturers for Better Education
To get an industry perspective on the findings, we spoke to Patrick Fagan, motoring expert and Director here at Car leasing made simple, who shared their thoughts on the data reveals and why manufacturers need to do more to close the knowledge gap.
Patrick says: “Modern cars are equipped with a lot of new technologies, from adaptive cruise control to all wheel drive. But what’s clear from the data is that the industry has a communication problem. Features that are meant to improve safety, comfort and convenience aren’t always understood by car owners – which means they could actually be underutilised.
“It’s crucial that we don’t leave drivers behind. As the pace of innovation accelerates, education needs to evolve with it. Whether it’s through better handovers at dealerships, clearer user manuals or more intuitive design, the key is making the tech approachable and the support accessible. Drivers need to understand and trust the systems if they’re going to use them effectively – and safely.”
Five Expert-Backed Ways to Get Up to Speed with In-Car Tech
If you’re feeling left behind by modern dashboard displays and smart features, you’re not alone. Here are five practical ways to get more confident with in-car tech, according to Patrick, from leasing to leveraging community groups:
Consider leasing to get a feel of the tech
“Leasing gives you the opportunity to regularly upgrade to newer models, which is a great way to keep up with the latest innovations without long-term commitment. It also lets you experience different systems to see what works best for you.”
Don’t skip the test drive – ask questions
“A test drive shouldn’t just be about how the car feels on the road. Instead, it’s a chance to explore the technology hands-on. Don’t be afraid to ask the salesperson to demonstrate key features or explain settings you’re unfamiliar with.”
Check out trusted online sources
“There are some fantastic, brand-neutral websites and forums that explain car tech in simple terms. Don’t just stick to the manufacturer’s site – look for independent reviews, explainer videos and real user feedback.”
Watch video tutorials from trusted creators
“YouTube has become a goldmine for understanding tech features. Find creators who specialise in your car’s make or model – they sometimes break down complex features in a more digestible, visual way.”
Tap into your local driving community
“There’s likely a wealth of knowledge right in your neighbourhood. Whether it’s a local car club, a dealership, a community group on Facebook or Reddit, or even the person next door, sometimes the best tech tips come from fellow drivers who’ve figured it out firsthand.”
Methodology
We analysed Google searches of modern car features in the UK and US by looking at top questions: what is [feature]? and how does [feature] work? We combined the total search volume for both questions to understand which features drivers are confused about in the UK and US. We then took the top ten most queried features in the UK and US, and looked at the data by location level across the ten most populous cities in the UK and US.