Cars started out as a faster way of getting from A to B, and those early automobiles were pretty basic. Since then, we’ve been treated to all sorts of creature comforts, but there’s always room for more. Today’s cars come packed with clever features designed to make life behind the wheel easier, safer, and way more fun – and you might not even know they exist!
Cooled Seats
Everyone knows about heated seats and how they keep us cosy in winter, but what about the discomfort of a scorching hot car during the summer? No worries: cooled seats quietly keep you comfortable by circulating cool air through tiny perforations. It makes long summer drives a breeze.
Hidden Umbrella Compartments
You set off on a sunny day but by the time you reach your destination, it’s pouring with rain. If only you’d brought an umbrella! Some carmakers solve this problem by building in hidden umbrella compartments. They’re tucked discreetly into the doors, so you always have one within arm’s reach.
They even include drainage systems to allow the wet brolly to drain off ready for when you need it next.
Built-In Vacuum Cleaner
Cars are just like any other living space – they get messy. Factor in kids and dogs and they get messier still. Luckily, some vehicles have a built-in vacuum cleaner tucked away in a discrete compartment. This handy feature lets you clean crumbs, sand, or dirt on the go, without lugging around a bulky handheld vac.
Auto Hold
All drivers know how tricky it is to balance the brake and accelerator when you’re stuck in stop-start traffic on a hill. But there’s a little-known feature that can help you – it’s called Auto Hold.
It cleverly keeps the car stationary without needing to hold the brake pedal down and even engages automatically at stoplights, in traffic jams, or on slopes. No more rolling backward or awkward brake pedal dancing – sheer bliss!
Rear Seat Reminder System
If you’re busy, absent-minded – or both – this feature could be a lifesaver. A rear seat reminder system alerts you to check the backseat when you turn off the engine. It prevents leaving kids, pets, or valuables behind when you get out of the car. Simple, but a brilliant safety signal for our hectic lifestyles.
Adjustable Cargo Floor
Adjustable cargo floors are such a great idea you wonder why they aren’t standard issues. They mean you can customize the space in your trunk, with hidden storage compartments underneath for stashing valuables or packing awkward items without everything rolling around. The flush upper surface makes loading other items easy, too.
Illuminated Cup Holders
Here’s another great idea that really should be a must on all cars. We all know how driving at night makes even simple tasks like finding your drink a hassle. Illuminated cup holders solve that problem by gently lighting up your beverage spots.
You’ll never fumble for (or spill) your coffee or water bottle in the dark again.
Windshield Wiper De-Icers
Icy winter mornings can be brutal and the last thing you want to be doing, is releasing windshield wipers that are frozen stiff. But help could be at hand. Wiper de-icers heat the base of the windshield, melting ice and snow off the wipers so they’re ready to go. No more smearing frozen slush across the glass or wrestling with stuck blades when temperatures plummet.
Secret Sunglasses Holder
Why is it we can never find our sunglasses when we need them? They’re essential on hot, sunny summer days and in winter when the sun is low on the horizon. A built-in sunglasses holder solves the problem. Hidden in the overhead console, it keeps your shades safe and scratch-free when you’re not wearing them.
Kick-to-Open Trunk
You return to your car with your arms full of shopping and wish there was some way of opening your trunk without growing a third arm. A kick-to-open trunk is your dream come true, solving the problem with a quick swipe of your foot under the bumper. This hands-free feature is a total lifesaver and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Steering Wheel Warmers
Winter driving can be a miserable experience, but a steering wheel warmer will put a smile on your face. Just the press of a button and that ice-cold wheel gently warms up, making cold mornings so much cozier. It sounds a bit decadent, but we all deserve a little luxury in our lives.
Hidden Hooks for Bags
You could be forgiven for thinking that shopping bags are made from a particularly slippery substance when you drive off from the supermarket with grocery bags sliding around in the car.
Hidden tucked away in the trunk or back seat will keep everything in place during the drive. No more broken eggs, spilled milk, and crushed bread.
Quiet Close Doors
Soft-close doors pull themselves shut with a gentle click, sparing you the need to slam them. If you’re sneaking out early or loading up at night, the quiet operation means you won’t be waking up the rest of the family – and it will make you popular with your neighbors, too. It’s a small feature, but it adds a sense of calm and luxury to every trip.
Hidden Wireless Charging Pads
Electronic devices like phones have become so much part of our modern lives – along with their chargers and cables. Hidden wireless charging pads mean no more tangled cords or forgotten chargers. You just drop your phone in a discreet compartment and keep the battery topped up on the go.