The advancements in in-vehicle technology in recent years have been amazing. Modern cars are equipped with all sorts of high-tech features that are designed to improve occupant safety and provide a more comfortable and convenient ride, but the fact that there are so many options to choose from, oftentimes confuses consumers and makes it difficult for them to decide which of those features are truly necessary, and which could be skipped without compromising safety or convenience.
Being able to determine what features can actually come in handy, and which wouldn’t make an impact on the overall riding experience, is difficult because most of those features are very expensive and many consumers can not afford to buy every available option. Also, not every car shopper understands how each of the features offered by automakers works and what their purpose is, making the choice that much more difficult. That is why Consumer Reports – the popular magazine that reviews consumer products and services – has compiled two lists of car features, one of which contains options that consumers should consider purchasing, and the other including features that could be skipped.
Infotainment Systems, In-Car Connectivity and Advanced Safety Systems Among the Must-Haves
The list of recommended features is dominated by systems aimed at helping drivers avoid collisions, as well as technologies that make it easier for drivers and passengers to stay connected with the outside world and receive and share traffic information without creating driver distraction.
Safety features recommended by Consumer Reports include:
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Forward-collision Warning (FCW) – systems that help prevent forward collisions by alerting drivers of a potential crash through visual and/or audible warnings after detecting an imminent impact using lasers, radars or cameras to monitor the car’s surroundings;
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Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – working as part of some forward-collision warning systems, activating the brake if the driver doesn’t react to an alert of an imminent collision;
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Blind-Spot Monitoring – alerting drivers when there is a vehicle in their blind spot;
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Rear-Cross Traffic Alert – issuing warnings to drivers when another car approaches them while driving in reverse.
When it comes to infotainment, systems like Google’s Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay are on Consumer Report’s must-have list. They are described as an excellent way to connect smartphones to car dashboards, which is one of the top priorities for many car buyers, allowing drivers to access most apps on their smart devices without getting distracted.
Finally, consumers are advised to buy cars equipped with Bluetooth connectivity and USB ports, as well as voice control capabilities, which allow drivers to use their navigation and entertainment systems without taking their hands off the wheel or their eyes off the road.
Built-in Apps and Navigation Are not Necessary
As far as features to avoid are concerned, Consumer Reports states that many car buyers opt for built-in navigation systems and apps are obsolete nowadays. Drivers can now seamlessly connect their smartphones to their car’s dashboards and access entertainment and navigation apps, so there is no need to pay thousands of dollars more for these types of features.
Also, DVD players are noted as another example of an obsolete feature, with many people owning tablets and smartphones, which present perfect alternatives to passengers who want to watch a movie or play a game while riding in the backseat of a car.
In a word, car shoppers should do their research before deciding which features they want their next vehicle to have, to avoid paying large amounts of money for an option that is obsolete, and they are also advised to splurge on advanced driver assistance systems and infotainment, that can have a great impact on their safety, as well as the overall riding experience.