Car companies keep coming up with whizzy new technology to put in their cars to entice buyers to their brand or to shell out for a higher spec model. What though is really great to have rather than nice to have – or sometimes even just sounds nice to have.
Getting to drive a wide range of new cars as part of the magazine's test programme highlights what items really make life on the road better – you actually notice this most when you drive a car that lacks a feature you are used to and realise just how awesome that feature was. This last month we seem to have had a selection of vehicles nearer the bottom of the model and specification food chain so the lack of features has been more noticeable. I have ignored things that virtually every car now has such as air conditioning, hands free, power steering, ESC, etc.
Number one – proximity keys for start and entry. My own vehicle has this – jump into a test car without and you suddenly have to scramble in your bag for keys (remote) to get in – when this co-indices with a wet week, even more of a pain. Verdict – well worth the cost and now fairly ubiquitous.
Number two – reversing camera. One of our own fleet does not have one – getting it fitted next week, great safety aid and definitely missed.
Number three – one you hope you don’t have to use, but a huge comfort to know you have it – autonomous emergency braking (goes under various names). Automatically brakes before you run up back of car in front.
Number four-blind spot assistance. Again, actual implementation varies car to car but generally has a visual (light) warning on the exterior mirror showing a car is in the blind spot area plus often an audible warning if you indicate a lane change, especially handy in Auckland with motorway and multi-lane roads.
Number five-heated seats. Can’t beat them in winter especially with leather seats and definitely miss them when not there. I used to rubbish them before I had them. Who needs heated seats – well I do! Especially great for female drivers wearing skirts (or men wearing shorts!).
Number six – Apple CarPlay (Or Android Auto if you are on that team). Much better control of phone integration than just Bluetooth hands free and media streaming. When CarPlay is fitted I tend to favour the phone maps over a built-in GPS and I listen to a lot of podcasts which you can control via CarPlay. The ability to read and reply to messages using voice commands is also great (and it works unlike a lot of voice control implementations). My next car will definitely need to have CarPlay!
Number seven – auto lights. Just so easy – pretty much leave them on auto all the time and never forget to turn on at night or off when you park. Auto wipers are less useful.
There are some technologies that whilst great on paper are not always so handy. I would put Lane Keep Assist in there (Lane Departure Warning is however good) – works well sometimes but can also be a pain at others, similarly parking sensors and still have to try the automated parking (My own car has it – never used it).
I am sure others will have their own list – email us at cathy@companyvehicle.co.nz with yours
