If you’ve been hanging out with us for a while here at the eTags blog, we don’t have to tell you that we’re a little obsessed with cars. Because you’d be well aware of this little fact already. You’d know that we love basically anything that has its fingers in the pot of the automotive world.
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We love to talk about the fun stuff like newly emerging technology and controversial developments. Trends, fads, and stuff that’s here to stay. We love to cover practical topics like daily vehicle usage and maintenance techniques. We’ve got a true interest in rules and regulations – as mundane as they may seem, they are of great importance. And of course, we can’t miss any chance to spotlight our specialty and expertise: tags and titles. New registrations, renewals, transfers…that’s our thing.
Today, however, the subject that’s piqued our interest is people. More specifically, what people want. The question we’ve asked is: what are Americans looking for in a car, truck, or SUV? Of course there will be discrepancies in those three vehicle types, as they serve different purposes, but we’ve asked around, and have discovered a common thread.
Here are the top essential elements for folks in the U.S. when it comes to cars:
Wireless Charging. While this has less to do with the performance or accessibility of a vehicle and more with convenience, no one can deny that a full-powered phone is an invaluable tool that we’ve come to depend on heavily of late. And because Americans spend an average of over one hour per day in their car and about four and a half hours per day on their phones, a charging station is a no-brainer and a must-have.
Heated and Cooled Seats & Steering Wheel. This one is a two-for. If you’ve ever lived in or even visited a cold climate during winter and tried sliding into a frosty leather chair, and gripping a frozen wheel, you know how important heating components are. While vehicles have a general heating system that will warm the car in time, nothing can compare to the near-instant warmth that is generated from a temperature-controlled seat and steering wheel.
The same hold true if you live in or visit a place like South Florida in August, for example. Trying to adjust to a scalding seat bottom and steering wheel can delay your outset (who wants to drive before the AC kicks in?) and also virtually melt the skin off your legs if you’re so unlucky as to be wearing shorts. Seats with a cooling system tend to work much more efficiently in bringing the interior of a car back to a normal temperature.
Temperature-controlled seats and wheel mean the difference between a comfortable, happy drive, and one that is positively unpleasant.
Blind Spot Monitor. Coming in third after convenience and comfort is a safety feature that drivers are most looking for when buying a car. Blind spot monitors are sensor devices that detect object and movements in the area not covered by mirrors alone. This is spot is on the side towards the back of the vehicle, and can only be seen if a driver manually turns a head to check the space. Instead, a monitor will issue a warning if something is in the blind spot, alerting drivers visual, audio, or tactile means. Meaning, either a light, a sound, or a vibration. Thereby helping folks drive safely and avoid accidents.
Parking Sensors. Much like a blind spot monitor, front and rear parking sensors are high up on the list of must-haves for car owners. These gadgets help drivers slip in and out of tight parking spaces, signaling them when they have come too close in proximity to another object. This, in turn, makes for quicker parking maneuvers as well as helping avoid dings and scratches to bumpers and vehicle doors.
All-Wheel Drive. For folks in areas with rugged terrain, or places that are prone to inclement weather, all-wheel drive (also known as four-wheel drive) can make all the difference. But switching your car into this mode, (unless your ride does this automatically) it helps the vehicle gain traction on wet, slippery roads, while trudging through snow, and, for trucks and the like, towing heavy objects. While this mode should not be used on flat, smooth roads, it can make all the difference with challenging driving conditions.
Lane Departure Warning. This handy alert system lets drivers know when their vehicle is veering out of its lane. If someone is distracted, sleepy, or simply not paying attention, the departure warning will signal them with either an audible or vibrational sign that they must return to their lane. Conveniently, the warning system knows when a turning signal is on and will refrain from correcting sideways movements if a turn has been indicated.
Phone-Vehicle Compatibility. Also known as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, these Bluetooth-enabled systems allow drivers to connect their smartphone to the vehicle’s dashboard display, sharing information and entertainment. Essentially, when connected, the car becomes a mirror of the phone, thereby allowing people to access many of their apps, calls, contacts, and music, hands-free.
Driver Profile Setting. For folks who share a car with another person, this feature is in high demand. The driver profile setting allows – usually through the touch of a button – the driver to enter the car and retrieve the exact setup up they left it in previously. This includes the height and distance of the seat, wheel position, side mirror angle, temperature control, radio stations, navigation, and driving dynamics, to name a few.
With driver profile settings there’s never any worry about lending your car, only to have to reset all your preferences when it’s your turn to drive.
And there you have it: the most sought-after features (as of 2024) in the automotive world. Happy driving, and remember, for all your title and tag needs, simply head over to etags.com, choose your state from our drop-down menu, and select the service that best suits your needs. Because as always, at eTags, we’re here to help!
