We’re all used to relying on technology in our day to day lives. From online banking and shopping from the comfort of the sofa to weather apps and live traffic monitoring from the club house, for the most part technology is designed to make things to make things easier for us, solving a need we sometimes didn’t know we had. How many times have you said ‘oh, I didn’t know you could do that’ when talking to someone? With this in mind let’s take a look at some of the clever features that may be in your Honda that you might not have discovered yet.
1. Regenerative braking
All Honda hybrids have regenerative or regen braking. When you take your foot off the accelerator or press the brake the motor stops powering the wheels and instead reverses its function to slow the vehicle. Cleverly, the motor automatically becomes a generator, converting the kinetic energy from the wheels into electricity which is fed back into your battery.
2. Honda collision mitigation system
Part of the Honda SENSING intelligent suite of safety technology, this advanced feature is designed to alert you to potential collision risks with other vehicles, as well as pedestrians or cyclists, reducing the severity of an unavoidable collision.
It uses a hidden camera that’s built into the rearview mirror and radar sensors. Sometimes referred to as CMBS (collision mitigation braking system), the system provides visual alerts on the dashboard as well as audible alerts when it detects a potential risk, before automatically applying the brakes if a collision is deemed unavoidable.
3. Hidden voice commands
Did you know that you can ask your Honda to make calls, find parking or play specific radio stations? Every new Honda is programmed with a voice control system and range of voice commands that allow hands-free operation.
As an example, when using the map or guidance screen you can ask it to ‘find place…’ and add terms such as ‘petrol stations’, ‘hospitals’ or ‘pizza’ – super handy when you don’t know an area! You can even ask it to play a particular song or artist if you’re using a music app such as Spotify. Or why not just say ‘call Mum’ and let the system do the rest. Simply tap and release the ‘talk’ button on the left side of the steering wheel, the one that looks like a little face, to start using voice commands.
4. Traffic Jam Assist system
If you’ve ever veered off the centre of the road when you’ve sneezed or looked away from the road for a second, this one’s for you. Using a hidden camera mounted in windscreen behind the rearview mirror the system detects the traffic lane markings and warns you if you unintentionally veer out of the centre of your lane without indicating.
Combined with adaptative cruise control (ACC) it can ensure you maintain a constant, safe distance behind the car in front by automatically braking if you get too close and accelerating as the car speeds up.
5. Digital key
Did you know that most new Honda vehicles can be opened without using the key fob, thanks to the smart entry system? Simply unlock your Honda via the hidden door sensor inside the exterior handle and lock it by just touching the three little ridges or lines. Just make sure you have the fob in your pocket or bag for it to work.
If you’ve ever had that moment where you can’t remember whether you locked the car or not then My Honda+ is for you as the app lets you check the status from your phone, without needing to be anywhere near the vehicle. You can even lock it from anywhere using the app. Genius!
6. LaneWatch blind spot camera
We all know how easy it is to miss something in your blind spot, but LaneWatch can help reduce the risk by using a small, discreet camera that’s built into the underside of the passenger-side mirror. It helpfully displays a live view of the driver's blind spot on the central touchscreen providing an expanded field of vision, making changing lanes or manoeuvring into parking spots even easier. It can be set up to automatically display when you indicate or activated when you tap the small button on the end of the indicator stalk.
7. Wireless phone charging
This feature is brilliant if you forget to charge your phone – just lay your compatible mobile on the charging mat and let it charge without any wires. Simple but super handy if you forget your charger.
Want to know more?
Contact the Honda Sales Centre 0345 200 8000 (option 3)honda.digital.support@honda-eu.com.
Features described may vary by model, grade, year, and may be optional or available only on selected models. Availability is subject to vehicle specification. Driver assistance and safety systems are designed to assist, not replace, driver awareness and responsibility. Always drive safely and remain attentive at all times.
Smart connectivity features may require compatible devices, active subscriptions, and/or mobile data. Information accurate at time of publishing and subject to change without notice. For full details, speak to your local Honda retailer.