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From wireless Apple CarPlay to heated seats, these are the features that will make a difference to your life everyday

There was a time when bucket seats, a tachometer, and a radio were luxuries. Fortunately we’ve come a long way since then. Features that were once only offered on luxury models have since trickled down to affordable commuter cars. Long live technology!

Even entry-level cars now come with comfort, convenience and safety features that you as a buyer would’ve had to really stretch your budget for. A lot of these features, like keyless entry/start for example, do make your everyday life easier. Put together, a lot of these features do make the experience of owning and driving a car everyday like second nature. Sure, you could live without automatically retracting outer mirrors. You could instead fold them closed yourself when you exit the car to make sure they don’t get knocked off by a passing car or pedestrian. But the question is, why should you? It’s 2022!

Especially for a car that’s an extension of your living space, considering you spend the most time there, after your house and your workplace. With that in mind, carmakers go above and beyond in making their cars as comfortable, ergonomic, and intuitive to use and drive. But they do go overboard sometimes. You definitely don’t need every last feature out there, but there are quite a few that are worth having.

Here are the features we think are worth optioning your next car with, why they’re worth it, as well as the features that can be skipped.

For all the complaints enthusiasts hurl at modern cars for being too large, heavy, and expensive, there’s no denying a new car is far easier to live with, considering all the features they offer. Some of these extras can of course be retrofitted later but the integration and ease of use will never match a factory job.

Features like keyless entry and a start/stop button mean you never have to do a balancing act to pull your keys out if your hands are full, or fumble around in the dark to start your car. Powered mirrors (heated ones to prevent them fogging up are better) are essential, as are blind spot indicators that draw your attention to fast approaching traffic when you’re switching lanes. Going a step further are the active safety systems that are now mandatory in the US, like forward collision warnings, adaptive headlights, tire pressure monitoring systems, adaptive cruise control and more.

Related: 5 Features New Car Buyers Are Least Interested In (5 Features Everybody Wants)

Automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers take the work out of driving as dusk approaches, or in bad weather. There’s nothing more annoying than having to regulate the windshield wipers in intermittent rain. Automating the whole thing also leaves one less thing to worry about as you drive. Also in the must-have category are front and rear parking cameras and sensors to take the guesswork out of parking.

On the comfort side of things, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto really make using the system second nature. Tying it together is wireless smartphone charging. Heated or ventilated seats (or even more supportive seats if there’s an option), a cooled glove box and dual-zone climate control are must-haves too, along with retractable sun blinds for the rear windows.

These are the very basic options worth splurging on, but for even better experience, there are other features that could be worth it for you.

In most cases, it’s worth it to spend a little extra to get premium audio on your car if it’s offered. It’ll likely make a big difference to how you enjoy your music, without needing to go aftermarket and void your warranty. LED headlights are nice too, offering better night time illumination so you can see further down the road but be advised they can be worse than halogens in dusty or foggy conditions. Leather-wrapped gear shift knobs and steering wheels can move your ride upmarket, well in feel at least, considering you’re going to be touching them all the time.

Related: 10 Car Features That Are Worthless... But Everybody Wants Them

Stuff like a digital gauge display can make your car feel more modern too, but it’s a toss up between usability and aesthetics. It’s also a very personal choice. As is a larger touchscreen. Most standard touchscreen sizes will get the job done just as well, but more screen real estate does make readability for navigation better.

Technology can often be a two-edged sword. Some of the tech that makes our lives easier could very well also prove to be an inconvenience sometimes. Stuff like gesture control or voice assistance systems come to mind. Other features like satellite navigation, once a big selling point, is outdated now considering Google Maps just works better. Also, as much as a carmaker would have you believe you need a heads-up display, for most people it’s only useful to make sure they’re not going over the speed limit. If the HUD doesn’t also show turn-by-turn navigation, consider passing on it.

Most of these features never seem to work as intended, though you may be tempted to option them, you should know they don’t add much to the ownership experience. Hopefully with this information your next car can be optioned to perfection, without breaking the bank!

From playing with HotWheels to tracking his race toy, Sam's come a long way. A penchance for translating his automotive hijinks and geekery into the written word comes in handy every now and then...