As far as our cars are concerned, we live in a world of needs vs. wants. Needs should always win out. However, as a want, the head-up display (HUD) is working its way up the list. It’s one of those features you don’t know you want until you’ve experienced it.
We’ve been fans of the HUD for over two decades now. One particularly notable appearance of it was in the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette, where it was a $375 option. Without really knowing much about it, nearly 20,000 Corvette buyers that year checked the HUD option box. It’s been available on the Corvette ever since.
First used on United States military aircraft in the early 1960s, HUD technology migrated to cars in 1988, when General Motors offered it in the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. Today more than 30 carmakers offer at least one model available with HUD.
What is a Head-up Display?
The head-up display is a technology that projects an image onto the vehicle’s windshield or a panel, just beneath the driver’s line of sight. Although it’s an information tool, it’s equally a safety feature. It provides assorted information but doesn’t require the driver to take their eyes off the road.
Think of it as a hologram of sorts containing key data such as vehicle speed, the current speed limit, navigation instructions, and more. Often dictated by price, the amount and flexibility of the projected information will vary from carmaker to carmaker and model to model.
Although your time behind the wheel doesn’t involve mortal combat, HUD has served our military pilots well. It has made operating aircraft more safe and efficient. This is exactly its purpose when you are driving.
Different Types of Head-Up Displays
The built-in HUDs offered by carmakers are effective and easy to use, but other examples are available. Beginning with the built-in HUD, here are the options.
In-Car Head-Up Display
As with built-in navigation systems, the in-car HUD offered by automakers makes for tidier packaging. Integrated into the vehicle, the HUD elements are subtle, going virtually unnoticed by passengers. A small projector embedded in the top of your dashboard creates a reverse image displaying on the windshield, or in some cases a panel on the dash. It’s the reflection of that display the driver sees.
As advancing technology and economies of scale bring down prices, expect HUD availability in more and more models. Costs will vary, though. More often than not, the HUD is part of an option package or included in a higher grade.
When you can find it listed as a stand-alone option, expect the cost to be at least $500. For example, adding HUD to your Lexus RX will set you back $600. For the Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S Sedan, it adds $1,100 to the bottom line.
Advantages: Built-in systems interface perfectly with the vehicle. They are included in the financing and are covered by the new car warranty.
Drawbacks: They are only available on specific models, trim levels, or as part of sometimes-pricy option packages. Drivers can’t move HUDs from car to car.
Head-up Display Apps
If you want to add a HUD on the cheap, several developers have created HUD apps. Operating similarly to the built-in HUD, a HUD app creates the image reflected off your vehicle’s windshield. You simply tap the app and lay your phone faceup on the dashboard next to the windshield.
HUD apps don’t have the same range of functions as most built-in HUDs, but they can provide your current speed. Some are sophisticated enough to project navigational information.
The challenge can be anchoring your smartphone to the dashboard and preventing it from sliding around on every turn.
Whether your smartphone is Apple- or Android-based, you can find free HUD apps. Some, however, require a subscription, and others charge for extra features.
Advantages: Developers offer many HUD apps for free, and you don’t need any additional equipment. You can move your phone from car to car.
Drawbacks: They tend not to offer all the features you might want. Your smartphone must somehow be anchored to the dashboard.
Third-Party Head-up Display
Several aftermarket suppliers offer dedicated HUD systems. These are boxlike units you can attach to your vehicle’s dashboard. They also project an image to the windshield. Transportable among multiple vehicles, they typically plug into any 12-volt power port or OBD2 port.
Drawing on their own GPS capability or directly from your vehicle’s OBD2 port, these units can provide lots of information like vehicle speed, RPMs, battery voltage, navigation information, and more.
Prices range from $30 to $1,000 or more.
Advantages: You can shop around for exactly the features you want. Third-party HUDs can get installed in just about any car. You can move them from vehicle to vehicle.
Drawbacks: They can be expensive. Most must be plugged into the vehicle to operate. They clutter up your dashboard.
What Qualities to Look For in a Head-up Display
There are several factors to consider if you are actively hunting for a HUD, whether built-in, an app, or aftermarket.
Price
As with most things, with a HUD, you’ll get what you pay for. HUD smartphone apps are a cheap way to obtain basic functions, but they typically lack many of the features you may be considering. To secure a built-in HUD in your next vehicle purchase, you may need to buy more vehicle than you want or buy a package with excess, unwanted options.
If you want more than basic functions but don’t wish to pay for more car than you need to just for the HUD, the aftermarket third-party route will be all that remains. Decide which features you want in a HUD and shop around.
Screen Size
Although some cars come with built-in HUD displays as big as 10 inches, as offered in the Toyota Camry, you can get by with less.
Screen sizes average in the 5- to 6-inch range.
A HUD app will project a display about the size of your smartphone screen. Aftermarket HUDs come in a variety of sizes, but 5 inches is about average.
If all you want to display is your current speed, a 3-inch display will work.
Features
What do you want to be displayed? That’s the question you must answer. Features correspond to cost. The greater the number of features, the higher the cost.
When you buy a built-in HUD, you get what you get. Several of these in-car systems allow you to pick and choose which features to show at any given time from a menu that might include:
- Vehicle speed
- Engine speed
- Navigation information
- Infotainment information
- Turn signal engagement
- Battery charge
- Safety system alerts like blind-spot monitoring
- Car system warning lights
HUD apps tend to be more limited in the information displayed. Aftermarket HUD systems vary in their functions, but they can be nearly as inclusive as built-in systems.
Installation
Installation of a head-up display will not be much of a factor. In-car versions get built-in by the factory. HUD apps and aftermarket third-party HUDs simply rest on top of the dashboard. All that remains is powering these systems. Either a battery, your vehicle’s 12-volt power source, or your vehicle’s OBD2 port provides the power.
Ease of Use
As with any technology, there will be a learning curve in mastering a head-up display, regardless of the type. The more options a particular unit offers, the more involved it will be for setup.
For all but the simplest units, some programming will be required. However, once set up, there’s nothing else to do.
With a HUD app or third-party unit, you will need to determine the appropriate location on your vehicle’s dashboard for your phone or the unit to maximize the field of view. Otherwise, there’s nothing to it.
Which Car Companies Offer Head-Up Displays in 2021?
Virtually any vehicle qualifies for a head-up display of some stripe. You can download a HUD on any smartphone accepting apps. Likewise, as long as your vehicle offers a compatible power source, you should be able to find an aftermarket HUD unit.
As for built-in systems, nearly every car manufacturer makes at least one 2021 model offering HUD. In luxury brands, it’s offered in multiple models.
More than 130 models spread across 30 carmakers offer head-up displays.
Luxury
Although HUDs are available across a wide array of automakers, they remain primarily in the luxury domain. Every model of BMW, Bentley, Cadillac, Land Rover, and Roll-Royce offer a HUD.
Other luxury brands like Audi, Genesis, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo offer a HUD in nearly all their models. Lexus offers it in about half its models, while Acura, Buick, Porsche, and Jaguar offer HUD in more than one model.
Infiniti, Lamborghini, and Polestar only offer HUD in one model.
Mainstream
Surprisingly, a few mainstream brands offer many models with a HUD. Mini offers it in all of its models. Among Mazda models, only the MX-5 Miata doesn’t offer a HUD. Toyota offers it in nine models. Chevrolet, GMC, and Hyundai offer a HUD in at least four models each, while Kia makes three.
Ford, Honda, Jeep, Nissan, and Ram make at least one model each featuring a HUD.
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