Head Up Displays: HUD Vehicles, Basics, & What To Look For

Head-Up Displays or HUDs are futuristic pieces of technology that were once confined to military aircraft in the 1960s. With the advances in computer and display technology, these useful devices are now available in many dealers of the Beach Boulevard of Cars in Huntington Beach, California.

HUD Basics

Head-Up Displays projects information, such as speed, navigation directions, and audio description, directly in front of your eyes. Some show only fixed information in a bright light color. Others present data that you can customize with different colors.

Type

HUDs consist of the following type:

• Windshield. The most common type of display projects directly on the windshield in front of you. It works well with your vehicle systems. Because of the larger display area, windshield HUDs can contain more information and reveal the info directly in your line of sight. You can focus your eyes and attention on the road while looking at the information, making for a less-distracted drive. This type tends to be more expensive because it requires a special type of glass for visibility. The projection may also be harder to see when you’re wearing polarized sunglasses.

• Panel. In more affordable vehicles, such as Ford, Hyundai, Kia, and Mazda, information is projected on a plastic panel that rises above the instrument cluster in front of you. The display area is smaller, making them more limited in what they show. Because the panel is lower, you’re forced to glance down at it for viewing. This type tends to be cheaper because it does not affect the windshield glass, and it is also well-integrated into your car’s systems.

• App. A HUD app can be downloaded to your smartphone. It creates the display on your smartphone screen, reflecting off the windshield glass when you lay your smartphone on the dashboard next to the windshield. They’re the most inexpensive types and don’t usually have the same functions as an in-car HUD. You can move this display among different vehicles without additional equipment, but they need to anchor to the dashboard.

• Third-Party Display. A third-party unit that attaches to your dashboard and the information is projected on a transparent shield above the box. This device plugs into your 12-volt power port or OBD2 port. It installs in any vehicle and can be moved among vehicles. But they can also be expensive and take up space as they plug into your vehicle's system.

What to Look for in a HUD

If you’re interested in getting a HUD for your vehicle, whether built-in or third-party, look for the following:

• Price. More expensive models will have more features than the budget friendly trims. Many built-in HUDs are part of technology packages.

• Features. What information do you want to see, and can you customize what appears on display? Options can include speed, speed limit, navigation, gear, warning messages, infotainment info, and turn signal.

• Screen Size. Screen sizes can average around 5 or 6-inches up to 10-inches.

Vehicles with Head-Up Displays

Here is a brief sampling of makes, models, and trims with Head-Up Displays. While these useful devices once confined themselves to luxury brands, they are now found in more affordable vehicles and are being added to models and trims too fast to keep a current list going. 

Chevrolet: Camaro, Corvette, Silverado 2500/3500HD, Suburban

Ford: Escape, Mustang Shelby

Honda: Accord

Hyundai: Ioniq 5, Kona, Santa Fe, Sonata (Limited)

Jeep: Grand Cherokee L, Grand Wagoneer

Kia: Seltos, Soul, Stinger (GT2), Telluride

Mazda: CX-30, Mazda3, CX-6 Grand Touring Reserve

Nissan: Pathfinder, Rogue

Ram: 1500 Big Horn® (via Technology Group package)

Toyota: Avalon (Touring, Limited), Camry (XLE, XSE), Highlander,  Mirai, Prius , RAV4, Sienna, Supra, Venza

As days pass and designs are constantly updating to compete with what is already there, the Head-Up Display will become more common and therefore affordable.