Windows down, music on, the open road ahead – driving can be a real joy.
Squeezing your car in to a tight space? Not quite so liberating.
While parking may not be one of the best parts of motoring, the availability of technology like park assist on a growing number of cars makes it a whole lot easier.
Having alerted you to a suitable space, at the press of a button it will neatly steer your vehicle into a parallel or perpendicular park. No stress and no dings. All you typically have to do is control the accelerator and brake.
And some cars take things even further, with a remote parking capability that enables the driver to park and un-park with the power of a smartphone app.
If you like the sound of a little assistance at your journey’s end, the following are among the easiest cars to park.
Smart ForTwo
The ForTwo’s tiny size and turning radius of just 23 feet keep your options wide open when looking for a spot. The Prime Coupe EV’s media system package, which comes with a host of features including rearview camera with park assist, makes life easier still.
BMW i3
The electric-powered i3 will not only make you feel good about protecting the environment, but nimble handling and park technology will brighten up parking time, too.
Chrysler Pacifica
As minivans go, Chrysler’s multi-award winner is a good one for precise positioning. It includes standard rear parking assistance to detect and alert you to objects in your path, and brake automatically if needed. A parallel and perpendicular parking system is also available.
Tesla Model S
Tesla’s Summon app really puts the smart into smartphones, enabling drivers to park and retrieve their ride without even being in the car, thanks to ultrasonic sensor technology.
Toyota Prius
This clever hybrid is full of technology to lighten a driver’s load. With military-sounding efficiency, Intelligent Clearance Sonar scans for objects when you’re pulling in and out of a space, while available Intelligent Parking Assist, controlling steering, takes the parking process to another level.
Ford Escape
Ford’s enhanced active park assist system is available on a clutch of models including the Escape, Edge, Explorer, Expedition and Fusion, with the Escape’s compact size making it a particularly convenient SUV to pull up in.
Chevrolet Malibu
The Malibu is another example of parking assist technology taking its place among mainstream models. Winner of J.D. Power’s most dependable midsize car for 2018, park assist is just one of 11 available high-tech safety features on the model.
Written by:
With 10 years of experience in auto finance, Rob Looker helps car shoppers find the right vehicles with the right financing so they can enjoy the road ahead. When he’s not creating content, he’s often behind the wheel, exploring new…
More articles by Rob Looker
