With so many unique features in vehicles these days, it can make your head spin. We’ve collected and sorted a few of them here in the hopes this article will help you prioritize what’s important to you.
Driver Assistance Features
With technology advancing as quickly as it is, it’s no surprise that car companies are jumping on this opportunity to improve vehicle features that enhance practicality, like new driver assistance technology.
One such feature is night vision, first used in the 2000 Cadillac de Ville. The 2020 Cadillac CT6 offers a night vision system that uses an infrared sensor to sense variations in the temperature of objects. Many other companies, such as BMW, Mercedes, and Audi also have an optional night vision feature.
Smart summon, or remote parking assistance, is a new feature on some cars. It allows a driver to park their vehicle from outside the car. Hyundai introduced smart parking on their 2020 Hyundai Sonata and it’s available on the 2022 Hyundai Tucson.
Other Practicality Features
Sometimes the best features are small additions that help with everyday issues drivers face.
The Honda Odyssey, for example, introduced a built-in vacuum cleaner in 2014. Chrysler followed their example in 2017 with the Chrysler Pacifica.
Honda and Ford also had cold drink storage in old models such as the 2013 Ford Flex Limited and the 2011 Honda Odyssey. While these features are hard to find on today’s market, plug-in coolers can be purchased for a car and work in much the same way.
Rolls-Royce also champions practical car features with a place in the door to store your umbrella. Worried about drying out that storage space from time to time? Don’t be. The door features drainage points and a heated air flow to dry the umbrella.
Keeping the Kids Happy with Entertainment Features
One of the hardest parts of family road trips is finding ways to entertain children in the backseat. To meet today’s entertainment expectations, cars have had to update their rear infotainment systems.
The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban feature a rear infotainment system with two screens that you can control separately from the front or by Bluetooth. This infotainment system can run video game systems, allowing children to play video games together in the car.
The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the first cars to feature an infotainment screen for the front passenger to use. The screen is mounted into the dashboard so that it remains out of the driver’s view and prevents concerns about distracted driving.
The Hood Ornament Rises Again
For luxury car brands such as Rolls-Royce, appearance is part of their appeal. In the 1960s, a selling feature was their hood ornaments. Unfortunately, they were stolen from cars to be worn as jewellery. (Or, in the comedic scene from Mrs. Doubtfire, torn off in a moment of revenge.) The production of hood ornaments has since faded, but to many, they’re still considered luxury collectors’ items.
To bring back the hood ornament, Rolls-Royce has developed a retractable hood ornament. When grabbed, the ornament retracts into the front of the car, preventing it from being stolen.
Unique Features That’ll Relax You in America’s Bestselling Truck
The rough-and-tough image Ford has cultivated for its F-150 doesn’t immediately conjure up images of massage chairs, but it’s been offering the feature since 2015.
But that wasn’t enough. Starting with its 2021 model, the Ford F-150 features optional sleeper seats: the Max Recline Seats. They recline to lay flat and raise the back seat cushion approximately 9 cm to provide proper back support.
Something for Everyone
We’ve come a long way from the days when an automobile was literally a horseless carriage. These features make driving easier, more comfortable, and sometimes even more fun. With so many options to choose from, make a list of needs and wants to help you stay focused on the car hunt. Happy shopping!