Do New Cars Come with Dash Cams?

[Turner]

New cars do not necessarily come with dash cams. Except for certain specific models that are factory-equipped with dash cams, most new cars do not include them, and owners need to purchase one separately. The necessity of dash cams: Installing a dash cam can record video and audio of the entire driving process, providing evidence in case of traffic accidents, preventing extortion, and protecting the driver's legal rights. Models that come with built-in dash cams: Some car manufacturers include dash cams in their new cars upon delivery, such as the Geely Emgrand GL, Geely Vision X3, and BYD S7.

[McMolly]

I just bought a new car and assumed that with today's widespread technology, a dash cam would be standard equipment. However, I realized it wasn't included only after driving it home. After talking to the salesperson, I learned that dash cams are rarely factory-installed and are mostly aftermarket accessories. They explained it's a cost issue—manufacturers need to control prices, and not every car owner considers it necessary. I ended up buying a mid-range dash cam online for less than 500 yuan, which was easy to install and took only half an hour. After using it for a few months, I feel much safer. In the city with so many people and chaotic traffic, it's great to have video evidence in case of any scrapes. I recommend everyone ask specifically about this feature when buying a car, so you don't make the same assumption I did.

[LeNora]

As someone who has been closely following automotive trends, I've noticed that new cars rarely come with dashcams as standard equipment, except for high-end or customized versions of luxury brands. For newer models like Tesla, the front-facing cameras are primarily used for autonomous driving assistance rather than pure recording purposes. If you're particular about driving safety, installing one yourself is quite cost-effective. There are 1080P HD models available on the market that are compatible with smartphone apps for real-time viewing. I believe this isn't just about recording accidents, but also serves as protection against fraudulent claims and theft. In terms of industry trends, Chinese brands like Geely have started integrating similar features in some SUVs, but widespread adoption will take time. When choosing a car, you might want to prioritize models that offer this as an additional option.

[MorganMarie]

A dash cam is crucial for ensuring driving safety. If your new car doesn't come with one, make sure to install one as soon as possible. It can record any incidents on the road in high definition, such as rear-end collisions or traffic violations, providing legal evidence to avoid disputes. A family member of mine was involved in a minor accident, and without a dash cam, it was a hassle to handle. Nowadays, most new cars don't come with one, possibly because regulations don't mandate it or manufacturers are cutting costs. But safety comes first—a basic model costing just a few dozen dollars is sufficient and can be easily installed on the windshield. I recommend all car owners forget about standard equipment fantasies and proactively add one for peace of mind.

[LaAngelina]

Recently got a new car and was very cautious with the budget. Found out that dash cams usually don't come as standard equipment, requiring extra money to purchase and install, starting from a few hundred yuan. This design saves costs for manufacturers, but for ordinary people, the add-on is much cheaper than a fraction of the new car's price. I opted for an economical one, around 100 yuan, and the recording quality is decent. If you don't install one and run into trouble on the road, the repair costs could be higher. Of course, not all car models are worth the addition—it depends on your driving habits; it's highly recommended for congested urban areas. When buying a car, remember to ask the salesperson if there are any discount packages or free gift options available.

[DelCarter]

New technologies are truly fascinating, like the auxiliary camera systems in cars that assist with driving, but they're not equivalent to standard dash cams. Many brands such as BMW or Honda have started including similar features in some of their top-tier models, but these aren't standard across the entire range. You can add a smart one yourself, which supports night vision and parking surveillance, and syncs to your phone via WiFi. I've tried this kind—data storage is convenient, eliminating the need to insert and remove SD cards. There might be more integration in the future, but currently, aftermarket solutions are the mainstream. Don't rely solely on factory options; proactively upgrade to ensure worry-free driving.