5 Modern Amenities You Can do Without in Your Car

In the "do you really need it?" category, it is relevant for car buyers - new and used alike - to reflect on the equipment and features they wish to find on board their vehicles, all while respecting their budget.

The progress in the auto and tech world has conditioned us to think that certain features have become vital and indispensable. In fact, however, it's rarely the case. The point here is not to convince you to drop the air conditioning or electric windows but rather to show you that there are modern amenities that are far from essential.

Here are five of them...

Navigation System

An item that quickly comes to mind is a navigation system (GPS). Car manufacturers vaunted them a few years ago, but these days everyone has their smartphone with access to maps and driving applications. And if the used vehicle you have in mind doesn't have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity, you can simply use your phone which becomes your navigation.

Sunroof

A sunroof’s purpose is to bring more fresh air and natural light into the passenger cabin, but the air conditioner is still there and it's also easy to roll down the windows at any moment. Many owners of sunroof-equipped vehicles regret their purchase once they start hearing undesirable noises coming from the roof assembly, not to mention possible water infiltration.

Heated Seats   

Heated front seats are now included as standard in the vast majority of new vehicles; we no longer have the impression that they're a luxury. Yet the time it takes for them to warm up is about the same time the body takes to bring the seat back to normal temperature. In short, after the initial shock, occupants tend to forget about it. If you really care about keeping your back and buttocks warm, heating cushions for the car are available in many stores and on-line.

Buttons, More Buttons!

A button with a proximity sensor to unlock the car door, to start the engine, another for the parking brake... Modern technology has gotten us used to the ease of pressing a button, but is it really so hard to use a key or a mechanical lever?

Driving Modes   

More and more modern vehicles offer a selection of driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, etc.), but the reality is that changes from one mode to the other are quite minimal in the majority of cases. For the average driver at least, the difference is negligible.