10 SUVs with Head-Up Displays

2017 Audi Q7 ・ Photo by Audi

While head up displays used to be limited to high-end luxury and sports cars, these days the systems are available on more and more vehicles, including a full number of SUVs. While some systems are more advanced than others, all perform the same primary function, which is to project useful information such as speed and navigation data onto the windshield to help keep the driver’s concentration on the road and help them avoid distractions. If you’ve been looking for a vehicle with a HUD and need something with some all-weather capability, read on to discover our list of 10 SUVs with head up displays.

Aftermarket Units

Our first mention isn't one particular SUV, but worthy of a mention, as the newest crop of aftermarket head-up displays means that you can quickly add a HUD to an older vehicle or add one to a new car that isn’t yet available with one. The options range from kits that turn your cell phone into a HUD using a special mount and an app, to affordable boxes that plug into the car’s onboard diagnostics connector all the way up to expensive GPS-enabled navigation units. While these systems aren’t quite as impressive as some of the best factory units, they are practical, and even the most basic units are capable of projecting your speed onto the windshield. Plus when it comes time to update your car you can take your head-up display with you.

Photo by Cadillac

2018 Audi Q7

The full-size 2018 Audi Q7 is available with a head-up display that can project relevant information regarding the car’s speed and navigation directly onto the windscreen, where it seems to hover around six and a half feet in front of the driver. Audi uses a TFT monitor with white LED backlighting to generate the color image which is then reflected in two aspherical mirrors to magnify and redirect the image, as well as compensate for any distortions due to the windshield’s shape. The system uses symbols and numbers that drivers can quickly identify without having to refocus their eyes, and the driver can use the Audi MMI control panel to specify which information should be displayed as well as its height and brightness.

Photo by Audi

2017 BMW X5

The head-up display on the mid-size 2017 BMW X5 is available as part of the Driving Assistance Package, and the system projects a multi-color image that appears to float beyond the windshield, just below your line of sight. You can use the system to monitor travel information such as current speed, BMW Navigation system directional arrows, posted speed limits, Check Control data (which is the manufacturer’s system to display warnings and diagnostic information in case of a malfunction,) and more, all without having to take your eyes off the road. Also included in the Driving Assistance Package is a rearview camera that works in conjunction with Park Distance Control to help you easily back into parking space.

Photo by BMW

2018 Volvo XC90

The graphical head-up display found in the mid-size 2018 Volvo XC90 projects vital information in front of the windshield in order to help you keep your eyes on the road. The brightness of the display adapts automatically to ambient light conditions or can be set manually, and it can show warnings and information relating to speed, navigation, cruise control and incoming phone calls. The Road Sign Information system uses a forward camera to detect speed limit, no overtaking, no entry and other signs, and displays the actual sign in the head up display. The only real downside to the system is that it can’t be paired with the Heated Windshield, but for most that will be a relatively small factor in the purchase decision.

Photo by Volvo

2018 Lexus LX

The 2018 Lexus LX is available with a full-color head-up display that can project key information about the audio, speed, current gear and RPM onto the windshield. It can also project an ECO indicator to help you drive in the most fuel-efficient way possible as well as display navigation, compass and Driving Assist information. In order to keep the display information in the driver’s line of sight it can be adjusted to different heights and the information shown can be adjusted to suit the driver. If you need an off-road capable full-size luxury suv with a head-up display, the Lexus LX is worth considering.

Photo by Lexus

2017 Mazda CX-5

The compact 2017 Mazda CX-5 is available with Active Driving Display, a head-up display system that projects information such as vehicle status, blind spot warning information, current speed and route guidance onto the windshield. Because the most pertinent information is positioned in your line of site you can concentrate on the road and distractions are minimized. The CX-5 is also available with Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go as well as Traffic Sign Recognition that uses a front camera as well as navigation data to recognize and display traffic signs such as stop, do not enter and speed limit signs on the head-up display.

Photo by Cherise LaPine

2018 Chevrolet Suburban/Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon/Cadillac Escalade

If you were hoping to use the availability of a HUD to help you choose between GM’s large body on frame SUV’s you’re out of luck as the 2018 full-size Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL relatives are all available with a similar color head-up display. The system can project information such as speed, incoming and outgoing calls, turn-by-turn navigation, radio, and media information onto the windshield just below your line of sight. You can select which vehicle information to show (for example you can select Speed View, Audio/Phone View, Navigation View or Performance View,) as well as adjust the vertical position and brightness of the display.

Photo by General Motors

2017 Land Rover Range Rover

The full-size 2017 Land Rover Range Rover is available with a head-up display that shows key vehicle information such as speed, gear position, turn-by-turn navigation directions and warning lamps on the windshield. The Range Rover uses a laser system that is nice and bright and can be viewed in even direct sunlight (unlike some LED-based systems which can get washed out.) The HUD can be controlled from the instrument panel menu, where you can switch the system on and off, select which information is displayed and change the position and brightness of the display. The system also features traffic sign recognition and can identify speed limit signs and limit the vehicle’s speed accordingly.

Photo by Land Rover

2018 Lincoln Navigator

One of the features that helps the full-size 2018 Lincoln Navigator stand out from its more plebian cousin (the Ford Expedition) is the available head-up display, which is part of the Technology Package. The driver can choose what the system displays, including standard driving information, adaptive cruise control settings and lane keeping information, and the system has the biggest display size in its class. Lincoln is also the first manufacturer to use digital light projection (DLP) technology in its head up display, which makes the system usable in more ambient lighting conditions, even when the driver is wearing polarized sunglasses. Also included in the Technology Package is Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning with Driver Impairment Monitor and Lane Keeping Aid and more.

Photo by Lincoln

2017 Bentley Bentayga

The mid-size 2017 Bentley Bentayga is by far the most expensive vehicle on our list, and as you’d expect it is available with a head-up display. But even with the Bentley’s high price tag the HUD isn’t standard fare and is only available as part of the Touring Specification package. The system can display speed, navigation directions, traffic sign information and adaptive cruise control status on the windshield. Also included in the Touring Specification package is adaptive cruise control, lane assist and night vision. If you want traffic sign recognition you’ll also need to opt for the City Specification package. Any option you can think of is probably available on the Bentayga, for a price.

Photo by Bentley