68 percent of people 'baffled' by things like electric handbrakes

(Image via Pixabay)

Thousands of motorists feel 'overwhelmed' by the technical capabilities of their cars - with cruise control, assisted parking and getting connected to Bluetooth among the most baffling features.

In a poll of 500 car owners with a vehicle less than two years old, 68 per cent said they struggle to get to grips with everything – taken aback by the likes of sports mode, electronic handbrakes and autonomous emergency braking.

And 40 per cent don’t believe they are using their beloved vehicle to its full potential – despite it being the most expensive tech purchase for 86 per cent.

Sat-navs, voice activation and reverse parking cameras are also things that bemuse drivers.

While 19 per cent haven’t even heard of blind spot alert, and 18 per cent don’t know about lane assist or digital key.

The research also found it took six months for 55 per cent to discover their motor came with certain features.

Following the findings, Hyundai, which commissioned the research, has created a quiz to expose the untapped potential of modern technology in new cars and give drivers the knowledge they need to make their car owning experience more pleasurable.

Further research of 500 new car drivers also found people are most likely to use car tech when it’s integrated into their driving routines.

And in the future, motorists would like to see new tech that helps with comfort (48 per cent), followed by safety (40 per cent), entertainment (33 per cent), navigation (31 per cent), and self-driving (23 per cent).

Top 20 pieces of technology in a car that baffle modern car owners

1. Cruise control
2. Assisted parking
3. Connecting different Bluetooth devices
4. Sports mode
5. Lane assist
6. Assisted braking
7. Different switch location for fog lights
8. Wireless smartphone connectivity/charging
9. Electronic handbrakes
10. Sat nav
11. Heated steering wheel
12. Climate control
13. Voice activation/recognition
14. Blind spot detection
15. Remote engine starting
16. Reverse parking camera
17. Automatic boot
18. Blind-spot alert
19. Massage seats
20. 360-degree camera

Via SWNS