5 Must-have Car Features and The Ones You Can Ditch

There’s a lot to think about when you’re buying a new car. And with so many added features, it can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you haven’t been in the market for a few years. With new advancements in convenience, infotainment, and safety systems, there are some tough choices to make.

That’s okay. That’s why we’re here.

Here are features worth considering and some that you don’t need at all.

Must Haves

Comfortable Seating

This is a no brainer. If you plan on using this car for your daily commute, errand running, and weekend driving, you’re spending a lot of time sitting. It should be a comfortable drive. This is why test drives are imperative. Be sure that, as part of your test drive, you spend an adequate amount of time evaluating the seat – at least 15 to 20 minutes’ worth. Most cars these days come with power seats to help adjust your height and lumbar support, which is key to long-term comfort.

Automatic Emergency Brakes and Forward Collision Warning

This new technology uses laser, radar, or cameras to assess your surrounding conditions and the speed of your approach to a potential impact. The system in your car alerts you with either a visual or audible signal or both to a potential crash, giving you time to react. Automatic emergency braking will sense a potential collision and, if you don’t react in time, will initiate the braking for you. Technology!

Backup Camera

While you don’t want to rely too much on this technology, it’s handy in parking situations during, especially peak traffic hours. Like having eyes in the back of your head, it reduces the risk of reversing over or into something that might have otherwise gone unseen by you. Great for safety and convenience.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Helps eliminate distracted driving by allowing you to answer a cell phone hands-free. No more fumbling with the phone or risking a ticket. Not to mention, internet-sourced audio can be streamed to your car wirelessly if you pair your phone to the car. Ah – features.

Heated Seats and Steering Wheel

Because who likes cold leather on their fingers and bottom in the middle of winter? Not us.

PASS

Built-in Navigation

This might seem like a cool add-on, but with the seamless technology of smart phones and Bluetooth, it’s a feature you don’t need. Not to mention, your smart phone will have better points of interest, voice recognition, and easier input. Plus? Your smart phone system transfers the maps from your phone onto your car’s screen.

Lane-keeping Assist

This technology monitors the lane lines and will electronically nudge the steering wheel to remind you to pay attention to the paint on the road. While it’s a cool feature, it’s more of a gimmick, and not necessary when compared to the lane-departure systems, which are just as effective at warning you if you’re not paying attention to where you’re going. Plus: it’s less scary than feeling like someone else is tugging at the steering wheel.

DVD player

This one seems redundant these days. With phones and tablets that can carry TV shows, movies, and even games as well as music, rear entertainment systems are mostly just unnecessary and will wind up collecting dust.