10 Vehicles with Night Vision

Pedestrian and wildlife collisions take a terrible toll every year. Night Vision technology reduces night time accidents by making drivers aware of people and animals, over a hundred yards away. The Night Vision system was developed by Autoliv, the world's largest automotive safety technology supplier, with 2015 sales of over $9.1B.

The system is designed to operate in temperatures under 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The biggest downside: rain, fog, and snow can negatively effect the system’s operation. Autoliv's Night Vision is available across a range of luxury vehicles. You’ll find Night Vision offered in select models from Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, and Maybach, as well as the Bentley Bentayga.

Night Vision Assistant is available in a range of larger Audi sedans. The least expensive model is the A6 Prestige, where Night Vision Assistant is available as a $2,500 standalone option. It is not available in the Premium or Premium Plus trim levels.

The Night Vision display is located in the dashboard, between the tachometer and speedometer. A secondary warning is provided by the Heads Up Display (HUD).

In addition to the A6, Night Vision is offered in the Audi A7, A8, S6, S7, and S8. The 2016 Audi A6 Prestige has a starting MSRP of $61,600.

Audi Night Vision Assistant is offered in the top-of-the-line 2017 Q7 Prestige as a $2,500 standalone option. It is not available in the Q7 Premium or Premium Plus trim levels, nor in any of Audi’s smaller SUVs.

The Q7’s Night Vision Assistant display is well-positioned between the tachometer and speedometer. A warning icon is also shown on the Heads Up Display (HUD) when the system detects an animal or human.

The 2017 Audi Q7 Prestige has a starting MSRP of $64,300.

The BMW Night Vision system is offered as a $2,300 standalone option in the 2017 740i and 750i. It is not available as part of an option package. Night Vision is also available in the more conservatively priced BMW 5- and 6-Series sedans.

The 7-Series’ Night Vision display is located on the center dashboard LCD screen. An icon appears in the heads-up display when a hazard is detected, as well.

The 740i sedan’s starting MSRP is $81,300. The 750i sedan starts at $94,400.

The BMW Night Vision system is displayed on the X5’s center dashboard LCD. An icon also appears in the heads-up display when a hazard is detected. BMW Night Vision is offered as a $2,300 standalone option in the 2016 X5 SUV. It is not available as part of a package.

I had the opportunity to put the system to the test over a week’s worth of driving last winter and was impressed by the technology. Check out this video review of the BMW X5, with the Night Vision system in use.

The Base MSRP of the 2016 BMW X5 sDrive35i is $54,700. Night Vision is also available in the BMW X6.

Enhanced Night Vision technology is included in the Cadillac CT6 Platinum. Night Vision is also available with the CT6 Premium Luxury, in the Driver Assist Option Package (which also includes Adaptive Cruise Control, along with Front and Rear Automatic Braking). The display is located in the center of the dashboard.

The CT6 is the first American car to be equipped with AutoLiv’s Night Vision. The Cadillac DeVille was the first car to be equipped with a night vision system back in the 2000-2004 model years when it was offered with a Raytheon-developed system.

The Base MSRP of the 2016 Cadillac CT6 Platinum is $88,460.

Mercedes-Benz Night View Assist PLUS is standard equipment on the stunning S65 AMG Coupe. The Mercedes-Benz system differs from the other systems, as it uses dual infrared cameras to provide both near and far detection.

The Night View Assist PLUS system’s near infrared camera captures the road image in HD, while the far infrared camera uses heat detection to identify people and animals up to 150 meters away. The display is located in the center of the dashboard.

The Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe’s starting MSRP is $234,050.

The Mercedes-Benz Night View Assist PLUS system takes it up a notch in the S-Class sedan and coupe with a dual camera system. The Night View display is located in the center of the dashboard. Night View Assist PLUS is a standalone option in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

The Mercedes S-Class Sedan’s starting MSRP is $95,650.

Night View Assist PLUS is standard equipment on the luxurious Mercedes-Maybach. Passengers ride in complete confidence, knowing the Maybach’s state-of-the-art, dual-camera Night Vision system is on the watch for pedestrians and animals.

The Mercedes-Maybach’s starting MSRP is $189,350.

Night Vision is offered in the marvelously appointed 2016 Bentley Bentayga, within the Touring Specification package, which also includes adaptive cruise control, lane assist, traffic assist, Bentley safeguard, and a heads-up display (HUD). The Bentayga is Bentley’s first Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

The Bentayga’s Night Vision display is located between the tachometer and speedometer. The 2016 Bentley Bentayga has a starting MSRP of $229,100.

Rolls-Royce has set the standard for luxury for over one hundred years, with the lofty goal of producing “the best motor car in the world regardless of cost.” To that effect, the 2016 Rolls-Royce Wraith features Night Vision as standard equipment. The Night Vision components and technology used in the Rolls-Royce system are identical to the equivalent Audi, BMW, and Cadillac systems.

Images are shown in the Wraith’s center dash-mounted Control Display. When an acute warning is triggered, an audible alarm is issued and the brakes are primed to reduce stopping distance.

Night Vision systems are also offered with the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Dawn. The 2016 Rolls Royce Wraith has a starting MSRP of $304,350.