How Virtual Reality Is Revolutionizing Car Test Drives

Virtual reality is revolutionizing many areas of our lives. This technology helps many industries, and it can be used for car test drives.

Some of the fun of test driving a car is getting to know that vehicle. That said, it takes time to go to a dealership just to drive around in a few cars that you might not enjoy. Using VR, you can at least get a feeling for the car and understand its limitations before you get to a dealership. This can help you narrow down your options and figure out what you want in a vehicle.

What are some other benefits of virtual reality as it relates to driving?

Driving Simulators Create an Excellent Learning Environment

Do you remember your driving instructor? Whoever taught you to drive as a teenager put their own life on the line to let you learn how to operate a vehicle. Thankfully, that doesn’t have to be the case any longer. VR driving simulators allow students to receive an immersive learning experience without the challenges of getting into an actual accident on the road.

Realistic Scenarios

Because driving simulators create an immersive experience, new drivers can practice in simulated weather conditions, under different lighting conditions, and over various terrains. If a driver misses a blind turn or hill in a simulated environment, they won’t lose their life when in an accident. These simulated scenarios allow drivers to learn how to navigate rush hour, merge onto highways, drive in construction zones, and other potential situations they might find on the road.

Practice Without Risk

Traditional driving lessons create situations where mistakes could be costly. The benefits of virtual reality during car test drives allow drivers to experience various scenarios and make mistakes they can learn from without the challenge of real-world danger. This allows instructors to help students learn from mistakes and adjust their techniques, which also builds confidence while on the road.

Challenges Can Be Customized

When you take a student driver out on the road, you can’t create challenging situations for them. These situations have to arise naturally, which can be problematic. Using virtual reality for car test drives, instructors can create customizable challenges for students. These challenges can address specific driving weaknesses without the need for the student or instructor to be in any danger.

What about test-driving vehicles?

Are there any benefits to virtual reality for car test drives for those who are no longer students and are learning how to drive? Many automakers and dealerships have created online methods of shopping for vehicles, including virtual test drives. Here are some ways to use VR to help pick and drive the right car.

Enhanced online services

Many dealerships created enhanced online services to help customers shop online while enjoying as many benefits of the shopping experience as possible. Drivers who want to physically drive a vehicle can still go online and reserve a dedicated vehicle and trim to take out on the road.

Virtual walkaround videos

Some dealerships also offer a video walkaround of every vehicle they sell. This is similar to VR, with an immersive experience and 360-degree movement to allow you to see every part of a vehicle from different angles. This gives you a virtual reality look at the car or SUV that could be your next driving choice.

Test Drives

In addition to the video walkarounds, many dealerships have ride-along test drives, with some of the sales staff driving a vehicle. These virtual reality car test drives allow customers to see the vehicle up close and learn about its functions. In some cases, sales staff will perform these test drives in real time, which means the customer can request the driver perform some functions with the vehicle to see its response.

After the ride

After the test drive is over, the sales team can engage with the customer to talk about the vehicle and the test drive. This virtual, online interaction allows consumers to be at home while discussing the next option, which could be to ask the sale team member to take a different vehicle for a drive, or to head over to the dealership to close the deal.

Using virtual reality for car test drives has become more popular than ever before. Whether it’s allowing students to learn to drive on a simulator or using this enhanced technology to give drivers a full tour of a vehicle and everything it offers, VR is already making an impact in the automotive industry.