Not to brag, but the journalists who drove us had a great show.
We get to drive all the latest vehicles, which means we get to experience the latest technology and then tell you what we think works and what we don’t.
There is a downside to this, however.
With so much time spent in new vehicles, we can quickly get used to modern convenience features. That means stepping into an older or low-tech vehicle can sometimes seem like a chore.
So, what are the new car features that we can’t seem to live without?
Anthony Crawford: Apple CarPlay
Let me put it this way. There’s no way I’d buy a new car without Apple CarPlay, both in terms of convenience and ease of use.
To be able to switch between phone, messaging, music and navigation, as well as other apps like Waze and Spotify, most of which can be activated with voice commands is pure magic – and From Apple’s point of view, that’s only going to get better.
Alborz Fallah: Live display
Honestly, the first thing that comes to mind is wireless Apple CarPlay and USB-C fast charging. However, when I really think about it, the head-up display is a feature I can’t live without. That’s also why I don’t have Model Y anymore.
It’s both a safety thing and a convenience thing, and once you’ve driven a car with the right head-up display, it’s hard to go back.
If I had to be philosophical about it, one thing I miss about new cars is the actual transmission of what the front wheels are doing through the steering wheel.
With all the electric power steering systems today taking away much of the steering feel, sometimes it’s nice to just go back to a car without power steering (like my Lotus) and realize the difference. Its difference to driving pleasure.
Paul Maric: Accessible Cup Holder
I find it odd that some brands don’t do any actual testing on their cup holders. Try and grab a hot coffee out of the cup holders of the new Volkswagen Amarok, and due to the tall center console, you need to be more skilled at swinging your arms than ever to make sure the coffee goes up and back without ever being able to. not spilled.
Even stranger – the Ford Ranger it shares a platform with them built into the dashboard.
On the other hand, Porsche has done a great job by integrating cup holders that flip out of the dashboard on its sportier models to overcome this problem.
Either way – first world issues, but test your cup holders with hot coffee before your car goes on sale!
Scott Collie: Keyless entrance
This is the hardest group question we’ve tackled to date.
In Melbourne, winter mornings tend to be rather bleak. That means heated seats are a must-have, especially on cars with leather seats. They’re almost non-negotiable… but I’ve lived without them before and can do it again.
Otherwise, keyless entry? Most new cars in 2023 will let you leave your keys in your pocket and just pull the door handle, so it’s annoying when you’re driving a basic model that forces you to pull the key out of your pocket. .
I’m so used to being able to walk and pull the lever, I don’t think I can live every day with a car that doesn’t have that function.
Jade Credentino: Speed Limit
I went with Scollie, however if I had to choose something else…
Last week he brought my attention to the new car speed limit feature. It was very handy!
I think there are a lot of luxuries that I would expect to be standard but what every new car should have is a speed limiter.
I’m not a traditional speeder, I have a clean (wooden) driving record until now. However, sometimes when you are driving on a busy highway, you can lose control of your speed while paying attention to the road (if there is no overhead display).
This feature prevents that, because no matter how hard you press the accelerator, it won’t flip you over. If you need to speed up for safety reasons, you can simply press a button to disable.
Derek Fung: Hands-free electric tailgate
For me, every day when I squeeze my car into the little spots on the street or the prettiest spots at the best malls in New Jersey, I thank the automotive gods for creating the camera. backward.
But that’s not a very interesting answer, and it’s not something I can pope in a few paragraphs…
Forgive me if I fall into Rob Sitch-channelling-Bruce McAveney mode for a moment, but when I was younger, I questioned the usefulness of technologies like internal cameras, built-in vacuums and vacuums. the door closes smoothly, the outside door handles are illuminated, and the list could go on.
But I remember having a particularly hearty inside chuckle at the back door activated by the motion sensor.
There I was, years later, in a crowded parking lot full of oversized pickup trucks and whale-sized SUVs, holding a pooped baby, its wet wipes and diapers inside. trunk. And that little piece of technology came to me.
Since then, it has proved handy when overloaded with furniture and children. It also allows a 7-year-old to independently close the back door on their own.
Jack Quick: Telescopic steering column
When it comes to new car features, I have a pretty low standard as my personal car is the Suzuki Jimny 2020, which is one of the most technologically advanced new cars you can currently buy. in Australia.
One feature that my Jimny doesn’t have and I would love to have is the telescopic steering column, which makes my riding position a little more comfortable.
Aside from the Jimny, there are very few new cars with only a tilting steering wheel in Australia. Some of them sell quite well in their respective segments too.
Examples of new vehicles sold in Australia without a telescopic steering column include the MG ZS, GWM Haval H6, LDV T60 and Mahindra Scorpio, among others.
The new car with the best/most adjustable steering I’ve experienced so far is the Ford Ranger and Everest. Given that I have long legs and short arms, this makes my driving position perfect.
William Stopford: Panoramic camera
When I was buying my current car, I made a list of all the features I wanted it to have. This includes things like keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. .
Unique feature My Hyundai Genesis not on that list is Android Auto, which is still annoying. It does, however, come with things I don’t need but have come to appreciate, such as a power-assisted trunk lid, automatic hold, and soft-close doors.
An ambient view camera is on that list, and I highly recommend it – to the point where I feel, to be honest, it has made me a worse parker.
After all, once you get used to the top view of your car, go back to plain reversing cameras and sensors or – too! – none of the above are true adjustments, at least with larger vehicles.
Adaptive cruise control is my favorite, but I can get into a car without it and just drive without cruise control on – that might keep you awake anyway – while with auto hold, I guess I could just be a big boy and hold my ground on the brake pedal at traffic lights.
But an all-around camera is so reliable, it has become a must-have for me. Perhaps for worse.
One more important feature that’s arguably not on my list are LED headlights and my next car needs to have them (bonus points if they’re matrix LEDs) – HID on my Genesis doesn’t compare. comparable.
James Wong: Adaptive Cruise Control
There’s so much that most modern cars offer today that will be a must-have in my next car. I have also been spoiled with my current car as well as the countless cars I have tested in my time.
For me, adaptive cruise control is one of those things I can’t live without. Whenever I test drive a car without adaptive cruise, I tend to drive my own car whenever I have to venture out on the freeway.
Most of my weekly commute is to and from the office, in heavy traffic and for the majority of typical Melbourne drivers with little regard for etiquette. Standard cruise control is essentially unusable in these situations.
Even better, a car with stop/go and Traffic Assist would be a treat if you haven’t used it before, essentially allowing the car to navigate traffic in the backcountry. low speed. It’s something you didn’t know you needed for your daily commute, trust me.
