HKStallion

I have been traveling frequently and therefore get to drive several different types of rental cars. this suits me fine as i try to pick cars i would be interested in purchasing one day.
That being said, there are several little features that make a car nice or not nice, and i figured we could make a master list of "special" features.
I will try to new features to this list as i see them, so please add them below.

1) Delayed lock: press the lock button and the door will lock 3 seconds AFTER you shut the last door.
- GM Vehicles

2) Cruise control evolved: When set, the accel and coast buttons will increase/decrease your speed in 1 MPH increments.
- Dodge (Charger)

3) Bluetooth handsfree: Most cars have it, I will put notes by them.
- Ford Sync: worst sound quality so far. wife wont even talk to me on one. Reconnect works well (Mustang, Fusion, Escape)
- Hyundai/Kia: works well, must lean back and talk loudly towards the ceiling. Reconnect is flawless. (Sonata, Optima)
- Dodge: Best sound quality BY FAR. Reconnect never worked. (Charger)

4) Eco Button: Helps get better MPG until you floor it.
- Hyundai (Sonata) (36 MPG Hwy @ 80)
- Toyota (Prius) (48 MPG mixed driving)

5) Auto Headlights: How is this not standard on all cars?
- GM Vehicles

rnye

Mercedes - Air scarf.



Porsche (I know some others have it) - Sports exhaust with electronic baffles that control exhaust note - sick!

BobbyC

VTEC



ive always liked the cooled seats in Lexuses.
G force gauge in the older Z cars.
Steering Wheel warmers in some cars.. i cant for the life of me remember which.
Love Auto leveling/turning headlights

Bose "wave" audio system in the FD rx-7..
i always thought that was a cool design for small cars.
wish it would have caught on.

vader1

I don't know if they still have it in any of their cars but Mazda 626's used to have an oscillating center vent.

I also liked the redline alarm in my dads RX7. Hit the rev limiter and get a loud tone. It was not real valuable, I just liked the sound of it when I wound it out.

His A4 had a feature that allowed you to put down the windows with the keyfob. It was nice on a hot day to put the windows down when approaching the car from 100 feet away.

I like the increased usage of proximity keys. Unlocks the door when you are close to the car and key is in your pocket so when your hands are full of grocery bags or something, you don't have to fumble for the keys.

Even with all the features listed, I still prefer a car like an S2000 or Elise that puts light weight and fun to drive over bells and whistles.

BobbyC

i remember those.
i always thought that was cool.

Daniel L

I love proximity keys but in my experience, proximity keys don't unlock the car until you put your hand into the door.

tiger1964

NO ELECTRICITY INVOLVED: My old Datsun 310 had pop-open rear quarter windows, operated by cables that ran to sliding knobs in the rear of the console; placed where anyone in the car could readily reach. Worked great!

Nandska

GM also had the heated windshield wiper blades, until they became a fire hazard. Always thought that was pretty cool.

CosmosMpower

On my 335
Active headlights-follows the steering wheel so it lights up the curve you are turning into.
Active steering, easy steering effort in parking lots and increases to heavier more direct feel at speed.
Flashlights that come in most modern BMW gloveboxes.
CAN exhaust flaps I can open and close from the steering wheel controls for sporty or quiet stock exhaust.
A/C center console, I guess if you want to keep your chocolate bars inside?

On the Lotus- Being able to slalom cones at highway speeds

Mr.E.G.

On the Accord Crosstour the rear seats fold forward for additional cargo space in the hatch. However, rather than having to reach quite far into the rear of the car to hit a switch on the seat itself, there are buttons right inside the rear hatch that you can hit to make the seats fold down. Simple but a great idea.