Airbags
Even your 2003 vehicle has at least two front airbags, but even the cheapest new car available in 2015, the Nissan Versa, comes with side-curtain airbags in both front and rear and side airbags mounted in the seats as well.

Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS)

 This computerized system allows a driver to keep the brake pedal fully depressed while the system pumps the brakes automatically, keeping them from locking up and allowing the driver to steer.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

 ESC keeps your car on the road when you have lost control. The system checks 25 times a second if the direction your car is traveling corresponds to the steering
input. If it detects a slide, it applies the brakes and reduces engine torque to straighten the car out.

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS)

 This electronic system monitors the air pressure inside a vehicle's tires and reports to the driver via a gauge, a display or a low-pressure warning light.
 

Back-up cameras

The name spells out what this safety feature does. When a car is put in reverse, a dashboard displays shows what is behind the vehicle. Some backup cameras include trajectory lines and distance readings.

Back-up sensors

 A poor man's back-up camera. These are proximity sensors that audibly warn a driver that the car is getting close to an obstacle.

Park assist (Self-parking)

 No need to worry about parallel parking anymore: Your car will do it for you. Pull up next to a spot, shift the car into reverse and it slips into a spot. Lexus was the first to offer this feature in 2006.

Voice controls

 While most cars will let your Bluetooth-connected phone call your spouse hands-free, cars equipped with voice control let you control other functions, such as climate control, navigation and even the windshield wipers.

Adaptive cruise control

 This safety features uses a radar unit to scan the road ahead. It automatically adjusts your speed if it detects a slower moving object in front of you. It accelerates back up to the set speed when the road clears.

Adaptive headlights

 These new-age headlights pivot with steering wheel input, illuminating the road in front of you. The technology has been shown to be highly effective, especially on dark corners.

Blind-spot warning

 This system uses radar or cameras to monitor your blind spot. A dashboard icon will light up if a car moves into your blind spot; most systems will also hit you with an audible alert if you attempt to change lanes or even turn on your turn signal.

Lane-departure warning

 Cameras or lasers monitor lane markings. If your vehicle exits its lane without a turn signal activated, the systems sounds an alert. Some vibrate the steering wheel or seat to jolt you back into reality.

Forward collision warning

This groundbreaking system uses cameras, radar or lasers to detect vehicles ahead and alert the driver if they are closing in too fast. An audible alert or vibration of the steering wheel is used to get a driver's eyes back on the road.

Forward collision warning with auto-braking

 This takes forward collision warning one step further. If you fail to heed the warning, the car automatically hits the brakes, bringing it to a stop before you have a collision.