Heads up Display: The New Top Safety Option All Drivers Should Consider

Telluride HUD
2023 Telluride

Heads up display (HUD) is an innovative technology that presents critical information directly in the line of sight of the driver, without him or her needing to look away from the road.

See all the 2022-2023 SUVs with Heads Up Display (HUD)

Using a Heads up display instead of conventional instrument clusters and monitors helps drivers focus their attention on the road, which is especially important for those who drive frequently and for extended periods.

Let us explain what a car HUD is, how it works, and why it’s useful. Also we did a thorough list all the SUVs in 2023 with included or optional HUDS.

What is a Head-up Display?

Honda crv hud nvigation speed
Honda CR-V’s HUD showing navigation with speed projected | Honda

A head-up display (HUD) is an instrument that presents critical information for a car directly in the line of sight of the driver. HUDs are used in airplanes and car racing, but they’ve become increasingly common in new cars in recent years.

HUDs are becoming more common in cars thanks to advances in technology that make them more affordable and reliable than they were in the past. A car HUD projects information onto a transparent film that is located on the windshield.

This allows the information to be visible to the driver without obstructing the driver’s line of sight. HUDs can display information about the car’s speed, the amount of fuel remaining in the tank, directions, warnings, and more.

They can also show information that is relevant to more than one driver, such as the current temperature outside, the forecast for the day, and even a rear-view image from a camera mounted on the back of the car.

How does a Car HUD work?

Kia Telluride’s HUD

A car HUD consists of a projector, a reflector, and a transparent film placed on the windshield of the car. The projector emits an image, usually onto the film, which then reflects that image onto the windshield.

The image appears to be projected on the windshield, much like an overhead projector projects a picture onto a screen. The transparent film allows the light from the projector to pass through. The reflector then reflects the light from the projector back to the film and the image on the windshield.

In order to provide information to the driver, the projector uses a computer to generate the images that appear on the film. They may show the current speed of the car, the amount of fuel left in the tank, or other information. The computer that generates the projected image can be connected with sensors in the car to provide important data to the driver.

Why is a car HUD useful?

Kia’s Heads Up Display showing navigation and traffic info

Many people wonder why they should prefer a car HUD over a standard instrument cluster or a digital display on the dashboard. Well, car HUDs have several advantages over other types of displays. HUDs are highly visible.

Since they are projected onto the windshield, drivers have no choice but to look at them. HUDs are located where the driver expects to find information, so he or she doesn’t have to look for it. They also provide more information than a standard instrument cluster does. HUDs can be used to display information that is relevant to more than one driver.

In some cars, the HUD can show a rear-view image from a camera mounted on the back of the car. The driver can then see what’s happening behind the car while he or she is driving.

Drawbacks of Car HUDs

How to use HUD on the Honda Accord

The only real drawback of car HUDs is that they’re not yet standard on all cars. However, as car HUDs become more reliable and affordable, they’re likely to become more commonplace in the near future.

HUDs may also require a driver to adjust to a new way of looking at information, since it will be projected onto the windshield instead of the dashboard. However, this problem is not likely to last long, as younger drivers are already familiar with HUDs.

The Future of Heads Up Display in Cars

The future of car HUDs is bright. HUDs are likely to become standard on all new cars in the near future. Currently, HUDs are available as options on many different car models.

As the technology improves and becomes more affordable, it will likely become standard on more models. Eventually, HUDs may replace conventional instrument clusters and other types of in-car displays entirely.

HUDs are especially useful when driving conditions are difficult, such as at night or in bad weather. In these situations, it can be hard to see the information on a conventional instrument cluster. HUDs can provide critical data to the driver when it would be difficult or impossible to do so otherwise.

2022/2023 SUVs That Have Heads Up Display

BrandModelsYears
AcuraRDX
MDX
2022, 2023
Audie-tron
Q4 e-tron
Q5
Q7
Q8
2022, 2023
BentleyBentayga2022, 2023
BMWiX
X1
X2
X3
X4
X5
X6
X7
2022, 2023
BuickEnclave
Encore GX
Envision
2022, 2023
CadillacEscalade
XT4
XT5
XT6
2022, 2023
ChevroletSuburban
Tahoe
2022, 2023
FordEscape2022, 2023
GenesisGV70
GV80
2022, 2023
GMCAcadia
Terrain
Yukon
2022, 2023
HondaCR-V2022, 2023
HyundaiIoniq 5
Palisade
Santa Fe
2022, 2023
InfinitiQX50
QX55
QX60
2022, 2023
JaguarE-Pace
F-Pace
I-Pace
2022, 2023
JeepGrand Cherokee
Wagoneer
Grand Wagoneer
2022, 2023
KiaEV6
Soul
Telluride
2022, 2023
LamborghiniUrus2022, 2023
Land RoverDefender
Discovery
Discovery Sport
Range Rover
Range Rover Sport
Range Rover Evoque
Range Rover Velar
2022, 2023
LexusLX 600
NX 350
RX 350
UX 200
2022, 2023
LincolnAviator
Corsair
Navigator
2022, 2023
MazdaCX-30
CX-5
CX-9
2022, 2023
MercedesGLA
GLB
GLC
GLE
GLS
2022, 2023
MitsubishiOutlander2022, 2023
NissanRogue
Pathfinder
2022, 2023
PorscheCayenne2022, 2023
Rolls-RoyceCullinan2022, 2023
SubaruAscent
Outback
2022, 2023
ToyotaRAV4 Prime
Venza
2022, 2023
VolvoXC60
XC90
2022, 2023

Final Words on HUDS

Head-up displays are a useful tool for drivers, especially in difficult conditions like during bad weather or at night. They’re expected to become more common on new cars in the near future.

Besides being useful in poor conditions, HUDs can also be used to provide information that is relevant to more than one driver. In some cars, the HUD can also show a rear-view image from a camera mounted on the back of the car.

Main image courtesy: Kia