As we cruise into 2025, vehicles are more equipped for safety, comfort and ease of driving than ever before. Many 2025 autos come with advanced artificial intelligence functions to automatically adjust your speed to adapt to traffic and even take over the wheel while you enjoy the scenery along the way.

If you’re in the market for new wheels in 2025, you’ll find no shortage of features designed for a comfortable, safe ride. Before you shop for a new car, it helps to learn what’s trending in the automotive market.

Here are five 2025 car trends shaping the auto industry. Keep reading to find out what each trend offers and how it can improve your driving experience.

1. Affordable Electric Vehicles

Many entry-level electric vehicle models are becoming as affordable as some gas-powered vehicles in 2025 due to consumer demand, improved supply chain and technological advancements, according to Motortrend. Average electric car prices have fluctuated but generally declined year over year by around 4% since late 2022, according to Kelley Blue Book.

The average electric car price in December 2024 was $55,544 in December vs. gas-powered vehicles at $49,740 for gas-powered vehicles, according to Kelley Blue Book. Starting prices for electric vehicle models from top U.S. auto manufacturers range from around $28,000 to $41,000 for entry-level SUV crossover models, according to the same source. For example, the 2025 Nissan Leaf starts at $28,140. Many models also offer tax credits (up to $7,500 in 2024).

2. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are a standard feature of many new cars in 2025. ADAS assists by automating certain driving tasks and increasing driver awareness. ADAS technologies make driving safer by reducing distractions that could cause you to take your eyes off the road.

If you’re driving a newer car model, it likely already has ADAS features such as collision avoidance alerts, the ability to take control of the car to avoid crashing, emergency braking or lane departure alerts. Many 2025 models have additional ADAS features, including:

  • Adaptive cruise control: This ADAS feature changes your car speed based on the cars in front of and around you to adapt to changing traffic conditions.
  • Traffic signal recognition: A car-mounted camera detects and recognizes traffic signals and signs, including signs for construction ahead, so you can process the information quickly and adapt your speed accordingly.
  • Steering assistance: Some ADAS technologies include a feature that steers your car back into the lane when you veer outside the lines.
  • Conversational voice-activated AI: This isn’t a common feature yet, but certain Volkswagen models come with a subscription-based Plus Speech with AI voice-activated technology that allows more natural, conversational requests. For example, instead of asking the AI assistant (IDA) to set the temperature, you can just say, “IDA, I’m cold,” and the system kicks on the heat. Tell IDA “I’m hungry” and the AI tech suggests nearby restaurants. This conversational AI also suggests road trip options and restaurants and creates entertaining stories to listen to while driving. Watch this video demonstration of Volkswagen’s conversational voice-activated AI from Wheel Bearings, an auto industry Youtube channel, to see this new technology in action.

3. Car Subscriptions

You may already subscribe to a satellite radio service or other subscription-based apps that came with your car. But subscribing to the vehicle itself is a growing 2025 new car trend, according to IMARC Group, a market assessment and global consulting firm. With a car subscription, you can cruise around in a new car without the hassle and expense of car ownership or a lease.

With a car subscription, you make one monthly payment that includes expenses such as insurance, maintenance and emergency road assistance. The monthly subscription price is typically higher than what you’d pay to lease a car, but the flexibility can’t be beat.

Car subscriptions can be long-term or as short as one month. The subscription lets you switch vehicles if you need a different type of car for a road trip or a larger vehicle to accommodate more passengers. You can even switch to a different vehicle just because you want to change things up.

4. Autonomous Cars for Hands-Free Driving

Driverless cars aren’t hitting the streets yet. But you can still enjoy autonomous driving features in some 2025 models that allow hands-free driving on compatible roads and highways. This technology uses real-time positioning cameras and sensors, GPS and lidar map data to allow you to drive hands-free on commutes and lengthy journeys. Depending on the model, autonomous driving features can steer, change lanes, brake and accelerate under the driver’s supervision.

2025 models that offer autonomous driving features include the Ford F-150, Buick Enclave and Chevy Tahoe.

5. Enhanced Connectivity

Today’s cars employ the Internet of Things (IoT), which connects devices to other technologies. Connecting your smartphone to your smart watch is an IoT example. IoT allows vehicles to download updates and new features, stream audio and music and more using an app or the car’s infotainment center, according to CarBuzz, an online auto industry news source.

IoT allows smart cars to send and receive data, communicating with various components of the vehicle to monitor and alert the driver on factors like tire pressure, engine function and real-time traffic conditions. IoT can also allow smart car vehicle-to-vehicle communication. This can alert drivers to dangerous situations like sudden braking on the car ahead or intersections that aren’t safe to enter due to an oncoming vehicle.

Shopping for Your New Ride

Now that you’ve learned more about what 2025 vehicles have to offer, you can shop for a new car with an eye toward the features that keep you safe, connected and at ease when driving around town, commuting or on a long road trip.

Which 2025 new car trends do you like best? Are there trends you’d like to see in the future? Share your thoughts with other readers in the comments!