Part of the 21st-century automotive technology boom has included the rise of dash cam technology. According to expert estimates, between 10 and 20% of vehicles currently have a dash camera installed, and a 2024 survey found that up to one-third of people who will be buying a vehicle in the next few years want it to have a dash cam. However, very few cars currently come from the factory with this feature.
With demand for dash cameras rising, it raises the question: should a dash cam become a standard feature the way power windows, air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, and other amenities have over the decades? With several other technologies on the verge of becoming standard—94% of new vehicles now come with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking—it’s fair to wonder whether dash cameras should get the same treatment. I’ll explore that question today and look at what vehicles already include a dash cam when they leave the manufacturing plant.
What Is a Vehicle Dash Cam?
First, I’ll quickly recap what a dash camera is and why they’re used. A dash cam (or dashcam) is a small front-facing camera mounted to the vehicle dashboard or windshield and linked to a video screen (such as the infotainment touchscreen). Reasons to use a dash camera include:
- Collecting video evidence from crashes, hit-and-runs, traffic violations, and other on-road incidents that authorities and insurance companies can use to determine who was at fault.
- Providing security against vehicle theft and vandalism and helping to catch perpetrators.
- Recording beautiful scenery and fun moments from a road trip.
Dash cams come in many designs. Recording quality can range from 720p to glittering 4K ultra high-definition. They also offer different storage capacities and features such as night vision, collision-triggered recording, loop cycling, and automatic recording over older video. Some advanced multi-camera systems can also record videos from the rear, sides, or interior.
The Pros of Standard Dash Cams
Is a dash cam worth having? I’ll start with the good, as there are several proven and potential benefits of a dash camera in your vehicle.
They provide objective, irrefutable data on what happened in a crash and who was at fault. One study (albeit one conducted by a dashcam company) found the average driver could only recall 32% of important accident details. Furthermore, people involved in a crash may fib to try and protect themselves. To paraphrase former basketball great Rasheed Wallace, the video doesn’t lie.
On a related note, the recorded video collected from dash cameras can help reduce “crash-for-cash” incidents and other insurance scams. In a viral moment from October 2024, dashcam footage helped thwart an attempted crash-for-cash in New York City.
Although dashcams aren’t a direct safety feature, they can reduce accidents by making drivers more accountable for their on-road behavior. In a study conducted for the Journal of Safety Research, in-vehicle monitoring systems, coupled with coaching using the video, led to 60% fewer incidents and 86% lower accident-related costs. In turn, this can lead to lower insurance premiums (though few, if any, companies offer a direct discount for having a dash cam). Even if you aren’t directly involved in an incident, footage from your camera can be used to alert authorities of road rage, drunk drivers, and other dangerous situations.
The Cons of Standard Dash Cams
On the other hand, there are drawbacks from multiple perspectives to having a dash cam installed by the factory.
Dash cams leave the potential for users to inadvertently or deliberately violate privacy laws by recording private property, personal actions, and conversations without consent. In the wrong hands, dashcams can have serious unintended consequences and lead to serious legal issues. The cameras can be expensive. On the aftermarket, front-facing-only cameras can range from $90-240 depending on quality, while 360-degree cameras can reach $500—and that’s A) if you install them yourself, a B) a separate service subscription isn’t required. You may also need to buy a memory card, as many cameras don’t come with one (or have one that’s too small). With new vehicle prices having barely declined from their all-time high—and potential new tariffs that could further raise prices—another added cost is the last thing most car buyers need.
Each state has different rules regarding how big a dash cam can be and where it can legally be mounted. For example, some states only allow them on the dashboard, while others allow them on certain parts of the windshield. Without a national standard, compliance can be very difficult for manufacturers—and some existing standards could limit the camera’s effectiveness. If the camera is miscalibrated or falls out of alignment, it may no longer be beneficial, thus requiring regular check-ups. Furthermore, a windshield-mounted camera makes replacing a broken windshield more time-consuming and expensive.
What Cars Already Have Standard Dash Cams?
Despite these obstacles and concerns, several automakers have forged ahead, putting dash cams on some or all their vehicles. Here’s a quick overview of current offerings.
Mercedes-Benz
Among gas-powered cars, this German automaker has the most expansive dash cam fleet, as they are currently built into every new vehicle except the AMG GT four-door coupe. The tech must be activated with a subscription, and you need to provide a USB flash drive for recording. It can record data-stamped video from the front and rear with a two-minute limit per file. Other features include integrated parking monitoring and nighttime HD recording.
Tesla
The only manufacturer more committed to dash cams than Mercedes-Benz is this EV powerhouse. For more than a decade, all Tesla models have come with a dash cam that records 360-degree video from every built-in camera. Beginning in 2020, vehicles also include a 128 GB flash drive (you can add a bigger drive if you wish). The camera automatically saves 10 minutes of video in certain situations and allows manual saving. Sentry Mode will track movement when the vehicle is parked and activate the dash cam if it senses a threat.
BMW and MINI
Since 2019, BMW Group has offered its Drive Recorder system on BMW and MINI models with iDrive 7.0. It can record video from any of the onboard cameras and will automatically store 40 seconds of video if it detects a crash. You will need a BMW ConnectedDrive subscription and either the Parking Assistant Plus or Parking Assistant Professional package to use Drive Recorder.
Toyota and Lexus
Toyota released its Integrated Dashcam system in 2021, and it’s now supported on most new Toyota and Lexus models. You can get the 1080p HD camera added at the factory or as a dealer-installed upgrade. It automatically stores up to 60 seconds of footage after detecting crashes, impacts while parked, and other “interesting events.” There’s also an Adventure Mode to record up to an hour of travel footage. The industrial-grade 16 GB microSD is designed for high temperatures and long-term use.
Subaru
The Subaru EyeSight tech introduced in 2013 can function as a quasi-dashcam during an accident, automatically storing 22 seconds of video plus data-stamped images. It’s available on most new Subarus as a standard feature or upgrade package. However, the recorded footage can only be accessed by a Subaru dealership after an accident.
Extra Eyes on the Road
When used correctly, a dash cam can be a great way to improve vehicle security, protect oneself against insurance claims, and create a lasting video memento of a journey. However, I currently would hedge against making them a standard feature. There are multiple hurdles still to be cleared, and while the demand is growing, there is a way to go before reaching a majority. If the mounting rules are brought closer together and the technology costs come down, I might be more supportive of them being universal. Until then, I think they’re better treated as an optional add-on for someone who prioritizes having this technology.
