The 2026 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto offered a dazzling array of new cars, bold designs and refined rarities, alongside a variety of new safety technology. It may not grab headlines like horsepower or branding, but it’s arguably the most important feature in any new vehicle.

Here are four of the latest and most interesting advances in vehicle-safety technology on display at the show.

Toyota Drive Recorder

Toyota found that a lot of its customers were installing aftermarket dashboard cameras — also known as dashcams — in their vehicles to record potential collisions. In response, Toyota decided to offer a built-in dashcam called Drive Recorder. “It’s an added safety feature, but it's peace of mind for our customers as well,” said Olivier Depenweiller, regional training manager for Toyota Canada. Drive Recorder uses the vehicle’s external cameras to record and store video clips, allowing drivers to manually capture events or save footage triggered by adjustable sensitivity settings. Once parked, clips can be viewed on the head unit and downloaded to a USB flash drive for external access. Drive Recorder is standard equipment on the made-in-Canada 2026 Toyota RAV4.

BMW Symbiotic Drive

The Symbiotic Drive capability in BMW’s new iX3 is a novel feature that allows drivers to have more input over how the car behaves and reacts while using advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). For example, gently pressing the brake pedal while adaptive cruise control is active can simply slow the vehicle without deactivating cruise control entirely. In theory, Symbiotic Drive should allow drivers to work more effectively in tandem with cutting-edge automated safety features.

Google Gemini AI Voice Assistant

Voice assistants promise to reduce distraction from in-car touchscreens and let drivers keep their eyes on the road. But in practice, voice assistants are often just plain frustrating, mishearing commands and misunderstanding destinations, causing drivers to repeat themselves or reach for the screen anyway. Google is hoping to change that by bringing Gemini, a new AI-based voice assistant, into cars starting with models from General Motors, Volvo and Polestar. Upon sitting in a Polestar, Gemini might announce, “I think my coolest feature is being your ultimate road companion.” Gemini can also offer to find the nearest gas station along your route and turn down the cabin temperature; capabilities like this can help drivers stay hands-free and focused on the road. Despite new technological advancements, it’s still safest to set your playlist, GPS and temperature controls before you start driving.

Volvo Multi-Adaptive Safety Belt

From the company that invented and gifted the three-point seat belt to the world in 1959 comes a new, smarter seat belt. Volvo calls it the multi-adaptive safety belt, the world’s first seat belt to use data from built-in sensors to adapt — in the blink of an eye — to individual occupants and crash forces. Debuting in the upcoming fully electric Volvo EX60 in 2026, the belt automatically adjusts for height, weight, body shape and seating position, as well as the severity and angle of a crash, in order to reduce the risk of injury. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, the most important safety feature is remembering to buckle up every time you drive.

Our cars and trucks are safer than ever, thanks to breakthrough innovations like these that have transformed the driving experience. But new technologies are no replacement for safe driving habits. Before you hit the road, it’s important to take a moment to understand how these features work and how to use them safely.

Learn more about how far vehicle safety has come in the Safety issue of CAA Magazine.