Cars haven’t always been as comfy or easy to drive as they are today. Many of the features we now take for granted were once considered luxuries, or didn’t yet exist. Can you even imagine not having cupholders?
Each feature on this list was handpicked for how much easier it makes your life on the road. Here’s our list of 13 features we just can’t live without.
Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Remember when it felt like you needed a degree to use your car’s infotainment system? It was annoying, to say the least. Thankfully, tech giants like Apple and Google stepped in, and it’s been a game changer.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto take the struggle out of connecting your smartphone. Like Bluetooth, you don’t have to worry about messing with cables anymore. Just hop in, start up, and your favorite apps are right there on the dashboard, ready to go. This tech is easy to navigate and, most importantly, safer!
Remote Start
Have you tried hopping into a car in the middle of a Texas summer? Hello, heatstroke. Whether it’s the dead of winter or the peak of summer, remote start is the modern-day convenience we didn’t know we needed -until we had it. It started as a luxury feature, but now it’s basically a necessity. This feature allows you to get the climate control going without setting foot outside.
However, with great convenience comes great responsibility -increased tech means smarter thieves, so always be aware of the security of your system. But for those scorching hot days or frosty mornings, clicking that button on your key fob feels like a little magic.
Cruise Control
Cruise control is an old-school feature that has really changed the way we drive. This tech first hit the road in the 1958 Chrysler Imperial under the guise of “auto-pilot.” Fast forward to today, and cruise control has evolved into a smart system that automatically adjusts your speed based on traffic conditions.
That means your highway drives are a way less tedious and a whole lot safer. It’s almost like having an extra pair of eyes on the road, especially during those long drives that never seem to end.
Parking Sensors/Blind Spot Monitoring
Pairing up perfectly with backup cameras, parking sensors and blind spot monitoring are the Batman and Robin of vehicle safety. Some use ultrasonic waves and others electromagnetic tech, but what matters most is that these systems will keep you aware of what you might not see.
They buzz, beep, and light up to warn you of bikers, pedestrians, or that pesky pole that’s just out of sight. Especially in crowded places like parking lots, having this kind of tech in your corner can be a huge lifesaver -literally.
Cupholders
Who would’ve thought the humble cupholder would end up being one of the most essential car features ever made? It seems like such a basic thing -somewhere to stash your coffee or soda while you drive.
Yet, it wasn’t a staple in cars until the mid-1980s when minivans made them popular. Thanks to drive-ins and fast-food joints, cupholders became a must-have. Imagine telling someone born after the ’70s that cars didn’t always have a spot for your drink!
Heated Seats
If you live where the thermometer tends to dip below freezing, heated seats aren’t a luxury, they’re a necessity. Ever had to dig your car out in near-zero weather? Then you know the sheer bliss of settling into a warm seat afterwards.
And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, the industry is now hinting at heated seatbelts. Bring it on, winter -we’re ready for you!
Bluetooth
Thanks to Bluetooth, we never again have to struggle with an aux cord that doesn’t work or fumbling with our phones while driving. Bluetooth lets you pair your smartphone with your car wirelessly, meaning you can stream music, make hands-free calls, and more without skipping a beat.
The best part? It keeps your hands on the wheel and your focus on the road. Thankfully, just about every new car comes with Bluetooth connectivity, which makes sense because it’s definitely a must-have.
Backup Cameras
At this point, I can’t even imagine trying to back out of a tight parking spot without a backup camera backing. Call me a baby, but it’s definitely the safer alternative! These cameras have become so essential that, in the U.S., they’re actually required in new vehicles.
They first popped up in luxury cars in the early ’90s but didn’t become mainstream in America until the early 2000s. Now, whether you’re driving a little sedan or a massive pickup, you can count on backup cameras to give you a clear view of what’s behind you.
Keyless Entry/Push Button Start
Remember the days of digging through your pockets or purse trying to find your keys while holding a toddler and a bag of groceries? Keyless entry and push button start have completely transformed that experience. Just walk up to your car, and voilà, it unlocks as you touch the handle or get within a few feet. Then hop in, push a button, and you’re ready to roll.
This is the kind of convenience that once you get used to, you can’t imagine living without. No more fumbling for keys, or dropping your groceries.
Heads-Up Display (HUD)
Heads-Up Display, or HUD, makes you feel a bit like you’re in a fighter jet, doesn’t it? Debuted by General Motors in the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, this nifty little feature puts info like your speed, directions, and alerts right onto your windshield. This means your eyes never have to leave the road.
We are living in the future, people! But, let’s be honest, it does make it a bit tricky to feign ignorance about your speed when you’re chatting with a traffic officer.
Automatic Parking
Think parallel parking is just a necessary evil of city driving? Think again. Some genius engineers have decided we shouldn’t have to deal with it anymore. Hello automatic parking systems!
These clever setups use sensors to scope out the perfect spot and then take control to park the car. Yes, even if it’s a snug parallel or a tight perpendicular space. All you have to do is push a button and watch your car wiggle itself into a spot.
Hill Start Assist
Anyone who’s ever driven a manual knows the mini heart attack you get when you’re stopped uphill. Enter hill start assist -a true hero for stick shift drivers. This handy feature keeps your car from rolling backwards when you start on a steep incline.
It holds the brakes for you until you’re ready to move forward, giving you that much-needed second to switch from brake to gas without sliding into the car behind you. It’s a must-have for newbies and even seasoned manual drivers.
Automatic Headlights
Ever driven off as the evening creeps in and forgotten to turn on your headlights? Or worse, got home and forgot to turn them off, so you got to wake up to a dead battery the next day?
Well, with automatic headlights, that’s one less thing to worry about. These smart lights kick in as the daylight fades or when you enter a tunnel, making sure you’re visible and safe without a second thought.
