It’s the small touches that make a big difference.
From family haulers to first new car owners, automobiles have evolved to be more than the run-of-the-mill A to B vehicle. With this in mind, what truly are the top five must-have features in any new car?
1. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
It is surprisingly a basic feature, yet not all vehicles include it. What is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto? Well, it basically projects your smartphone’s data, including contacts for calling and messaging, music/audio and navigation applications in a legible, safe to operate user interface on the vehicle’s infotainment display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto depends on operating system you use on your phone, Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android respectively; you also gain access to Siri or Google Assistant voice control. You simply plug in your device into the USB port to access this feature on most cars and the interface will automatically be enabled in the car.
This phone ‘projection’ or ‘mirroring’ feature is vitally important, since most car manufacture’s built-in infotainment systems are simply rubbish, complex and distracting, resulting in unsafe driving. Both Apple and Google tech-giants understand user interfaces and ergonomics – lacking from most automakers. Furthermore, your next car may not even have built-in satellite navigation – most prominent in compact city cars – so using your phone’s mapping apps on the car’s display is more convenient and up-to-date on a larger screen, be it Google Maps, Waze or Apple Maps (I would advise against the latter).
Startlingly, not all new cars today are compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Most notably, BMW doesn’t provide for Android users, selected few Honda vehicles don’t include it, and Toyota just omits all. Admittedly, you do need to carry a USB cable with you in the car, it does charge and heat-up your phone, and it mostly requires your mobile data. Nonetheless, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto should be top of mind when deciding to buy your next car, as it is simply safer, more intuitive and gives a much needed substitute for manufacture’s systems.
2. Reversing Camera
The biggest blind spot in all cars is the rear-end. Now, I can digress about the importance of autonomous emergency braking and blind spot alert systems, but the most important safety feature is, arguably, the reversing camera. Backing out of the driveway or car park space is often daunting with C-pillars and the own car’s plain metal obstructing your view. It’s impossible to know where the back of your car is and if it will hit the curb or object behind you. Drivers can only estimate – and this can be highly dangerous.
Placed on a location at the back of the car, the reversing camera gives a clearer view to what’s going on behind my displaying on the car’s infotainment system or rear view mirror. Moreover, most systems also project a virtual three-stage guideline to highlight how far away an object is from the car, and some are even dynamic, meaning that the lines move with your steering wheel to better estimate where your car will end up when parking in reverse. Coupled with parking sensors which provides an audible tone on the distance from an object – available on nearly all vehicles – it is significantly safer and assuring for the driver.
Reversing cameras are mostly standard from base model compact cars, including the Kia Picanto and Volkswagen Polo, though some do require a step-up to the next trim level to access this vital piece of safety equipment.
3. Digital Speedometer
In a country like Australia where the speed limit is a priority to keep others safe, getting a speeding ticket when you’re just a tick over is never a good feeling. With our usual analogue speedos, it can be hard to accurately discern what exact speed were travelling at. We’re often guesstimating by looking at the red needle, with a 1-2 km/h accuracy. However, with the uprising of technologies in cars, the digital speedometer is a very handy feature in any car.
Put simply, it is a display – varying in size from each make, model and trim level – in the driver’s instrument cluster which shows the speed you’re travelling at. Similarly to transitioning from a traditional analogue watch to a digital, you can easily and accurately know the time at a glance. Simple!
Of course, not all cars have digital speedos, with some limited selection of entry-level cars and models not including this feature. Possibly, it could avoid that ticket next time around.
4. Driver’s Armrest
This is a convenience and comfort feature rather than anything else: the fabled driver’s armrest. When you’re stuck in traffic or waiting for your friends to jump in your car, it’s sometimes just good to lean your arm and your head on your hands, and relax. It may be small, but comes in handy, and is innate to the driver.
Positioned, obviously, at the centre of the interior, it is simply a flat surface – either in vinyl or leather – to sit your arm on. However, it also acts as a lid, covering a centre cubby storage for your odds and ends. Not only is it convenient, but also practical.
While this may seem like a simple feature, the armrest is missing in some vehicles – entry-level vehicles as expected. This includes the Mazda 2 and Hyundai Accent, just to name a few. This is a subjective case and ultimately your decision on whether it’s important to you in your next car; I’d pick it on my shortlist.
5. Leather Steering Wheel
It’s your first point of contact to the vehicle and you touch it every time you get in the car: the steering wheel. Forget about hard plastics on the dashboard, prioritise the leather steering wheel!
Yes, it may not be as durable in the long-term – a caveat of leather – but at least you’re not driving with a cheap piece of urethane or plastic steering wheel. The feeling should be experienced for yourself, oozing a sense of premium and prestige. Again, this is subjective and most entry-level compact cars and base model vehicles don’t include leather steering wheels.
The Bottom Line
And there you have it: the top five must-have features in your next car. Some of the aforementioned listed are subjective, and even available in the used cars arena. Nonetheless, these five features are a good guide in deciding what you want in your next car.
The Connected by Henry Man 