How to make your car smart without spending a fortune: Four gadgets to modernize technology and safety

Nowadays, not everyone can—or wants to—trade in for a new one, either because of the symbolic value or the excessive price . But that doesn't mean falling behind in technology. Today, there are various affordable devices that allow you to modernize any vehicle without the need for factory sensors, touchscreens, or built-in cameras.

For less than the cost of a new car payment , you can add key safety, navigation, and comfort features to the vehicle you already use every day. And best of all: all with simple installation and without compromising the model you already know and trust.

In this selection of accessories, we recommend options available in Argentina that can transform a conventional car into a smarter and safer one. From cameras that can record in 4K to parking assistance, everything can be added to update an older model and increase comfort.

The Garmin Overlander is an advanced solution for those who drive in the city, on the highway, or even off-road. It's a 7-inch touchscreen navigator designed for trucks, SUVs, RVs, or travelers looking for alternative routes.

It includes preloaded topographic and street maps of Argentina and other countries, and can even be used offline . In addition to GPS, it features a compass, altimeter, barometer, and pitch angle meters, making it ideal for off-road travel.

It has 64GB of internal storage, Wi-Fi connectivity, and is compatible with the Garmin BC 35 backup camera. This model broadcasts live wirelessly with a 160° field of view and offers resistance to adverse weather conditions.

One of its advantages is that it allows you to see what is behind the vehicle even in situations of low visibility or with obstacles in the "blind spots."

As for the GPS , it's easy to mount with a suction cup or RAM mounts, making it versatile for different types of vehicles. It also offers information on campsites and rest areas, ideal for travelers.

Ideal for recording journeys, documenting potential accidents , or simply enhancing driving safety, the Gadnic CC4K is a compact camera that mounts to the windshield and records in ultra-high 4K resolution. It also includes Wi-Fi and GPS connectivity.

The Gadnic CC4K camera records in 4K quality at 30 frames per second and has a wide 145-degree viewing angle, enough to capture everything that happens on the road or in the city. It features motion detection, allowing recording to be activated automatically if something moves near the vehicle.

Its Wi-Fi connection makes it easy to transfer videos to your cell phone , and thanks to the integrated GPS, you can record the exact location of your journey.

It supports microSD cards up to 256 GB and is powered by the car's cigarette lighter (12 to 24 V ports), so it doesn't require complex installation. Once installed, it starts recording automatically when the vehicle is started.

Another even more functional device for cars without sensors or rearview cameras: the smart rearview mirror integrates a 4.3-inch screen directly into the mirror.

The Gadnic 1080P model records in Full HD resolution (1920x1080p) and comes with a rear camera that includes night vision and parking guidelines for easier parking . It also features a motion and shock sensor, a built-in microphone and speaker, and can record the entire journey like a dashcam .

It works with microSD cards up to 32 GB and can be easily attached to your existing mirror using an elastic strap or mount. When you engage reverse gear, the mirror automatically displays the rearview camera image, a very useful tool for maneuvering in tight spaces or with poor visibility.

There are also parking sensor kits sold separately that can be installed in any car, even older ones.

These sensors work using ultrasound : they are installed in the bumper and emit waves that bounce off nearby objects. When they detect an obstacle, they alert the driver with beeps whose frequency increases as the vehicle approaches.

In Argentina, complete kits are available, including four parts, a control unit, and a display or buzzer, in different price ranges depending on the vehicle model. Installation requires drilling into the bumper and connecting the system to the reverse gear, so specialized labor is usually required , which is paid for separately.

While there's a wide selection on the informal market (especially on sites like Mercado Libre or Amazon ), there aren't many well-known brands or clear guarantees, so it's a good idea to look for reliable installers.

“The truth is that adding safety to a vehicle that isn’t designed for that from the factory is quite complicated,” explains Jota Leonetti, a traffic and mobility journalist at ControldeTransito.com.ar, consulted by Clarín .

And he clarifies: "For those who still drive a car without these technologies, the available accessories offer a significant improvement, especially in parking maneuvers and visibility . They are not the ultimate solution, but they help extend the life of the vehicle with a little more convenience."

Leonetti, meanwhile, acknowledges that it's not possible to add airbags , ESP (stability control), or radar to cars that don't come with them from the factory, even if you buy the "mid-range" version of a model. "There are brands that directly tell you that if you want these features, you have to go to the top of the range. They can't be added later," he adds.

However, popular models such as the Volkswagen Gol, Peugeot 206, Fiat Siena, Renault Clio, and Chevrolet Classic , which are still widely circulated on the country's streets, could benefit from these technological improvements.

All you need is a 12V port (the classic cigarette lighter), a clear windshield to mount the front camera, and space to locate the digital rearview mirror.