Consumer Reports receives questions all the time from car shoppers asking what they should be looking for in today’s models. Frequently, they have some vague notions about what is available, but they’re not clear on what’s worth the added expense.To help these new-car shoppers who haven’t checked out the market in some time, CR’s experts have assembled a list of key features they should consider getting, including safety and convenience items. Just as important: We have flagged the items that can be skipped.
Safety-related items are ranked in order of importance by CR’s car-safety experts. The other features are listed alphabetically.Must-Have Safety Features
Automatic emergency braking: The system applies the brakes on its own to prevent a collision when it senses a vehicle in its way, or to reduce the force of an impact that can’t be avoided. Systems that include pedestrian detection are some of the most beneficial.
Forward collision warning: This gives drivers a visual and/or audible warning that a collision may be imminent.Blind spot warning/alert: Gives drivers a visual and/or audible notification that a vehicle is alongside the car in a blind spot.
“These three safety systems have been proven to reduce injuries and crashes,” says Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations at CR’s Auto Test Center in Connecticut. In fact, CR believes so strongly in these systems that it gives extra credit to models that come with them as standard equipment on all versions of a model.Automatic high beams: This system automatically turns the high beams on when there is no oncoming traffic or vehicles ahead and switches back to low beams as soon as traffic appears, to prevent blinding other drivers. This promotes greater use of high beams, which makes driving safer.
Rear cross traffic warning: When the car is in Reverse, this system notifies the driver when sensors detect that a vehicle or an object is approaching out of rear-camera range and could be moving into the car’s path.Must-Have Convenience Features
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay: These bring familiar smartphone interfaces and some important but limited features and usability to the car’s infotainment system. They encourage drivers to put their phones down and instead interact with the car’s built-in screen, letting them pay more attention to driving.
Knobs for audio and climate systems: We find that physical knobs for climate controls (such as temperature or fan) and audio systems (for volume, tuning, and power) are far better than touch-sensitive controls, which are tedious and distracting to use when driving.
“Any time you force drivers to avert their eyes from the road, it’s an invitation for trouble,” says Shawn Sinclair, automotive engineer at CR. “The best systems let drivers make adjustments without having to verify those choices visually.”Nice-to-Have Convenience Features
360-degree surround-view camera systems: These use cameras located around the car (in the grille, often below the side mirrors, and the rearview camera). The systems give drivers a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle as if from above; help them check for children and objects around the car, particularly when backing up; and make parking easier.
Auto-dimming mirrors: These help prevent driver distraction from bright lights in the rearview mirror. The mirror senses light, particularly from the headlights of a vehicle following behind, that is cast on the mirror. At that point, the glass will automatically darken to prevent glare from bothering the driver. This is particularly useful when the car behind has its bright lights on.
Fast USB charging: The typical USB outlet in a car charges at 0.5 amperage, which charges a phone slowly. If an app is being used, the phone may lose charge even when plugged in. Many new cars now have at least a 1.5-, 2.0-, or 2.4-amp rating (noted by 1.5A, 1.5A, 2A, 2.1A, or 2.4A on the outlet), and the newer USB Type-C plugs support up to 3 amps of charging, making phone charging faster, no matter how it’s being used.
Keyless entry: This feature works by the car sensing that the fob is nearby, without the driver having to press any buttons on the fob. It’s a very handy way to lock or unlock a vehicle without fishing for the keys or putting bags, boxes, or a child down on the ground. Some systems unlock the door automatically if it senses the key is nearby, but others require drivers to touch a button on a front-door handle. A number of vehicles have the ability to unlock and raise the tailgate or trunk as well, just by sensing the fob’s presence.
Multizone climate systems: This lets drivers and passengers set their own temperature for their climate zone. In some models, even rear-seat passengers can get their own climate controls. We’ve found that this can really help to take some stress out of family travel.
