No Thanks: Seven Car Features Drivers Say They Can Live Without

Conventional wisdom says that the more features a car has, the better. In many cases, that’s true. But ask drivers, and they’ll tell you there are plenty of so-called conveniences they could happily do without. Here are seven automotive features that often sound better on paper than they do in everyday life.

1. Hands-Free Liftgates

In theory, being able to open the trunk with a wave of your foot sounds like a brilliant idea, especially after a grocery run. In practice, though, many systems are frustratingly inconsistent. More often than not, owners end up awkwardly kicking under the bumper several times before giving up and using the button.

2. Built-In Air Fresheners

The concept of an integrated fragrance system seems luxurious, but reality is less glamorous. These systems require constant attention, and replacement cartridges can run out surprisingly quickly. At that point, many drivers wonder whether a simple hanging air freshener would have done the job just as well.

3. Rear Reading Lights

Unless your passengers are planning to tackle War and Peace or binge-read the entire A Song of Ice and Fire series on the way home, dedicated reading lamps are hardly essential. For many owners, they’re a relic from another era and not something worth paying extra for.

4. Voice Controls

Modern voice assistants have improved, but they still aren’t perfect. Misheard commands and awkward interactions are common enough that many drivers simply ignore the feature. Perhaps future generations of the technology will fulfill their promise, but for now, voice control often feels more like an experiment than a must-have option.

That said, automakers continue to make these systems standard equipment, leaving buyers with little choice.

5. Coin Holders

It’s surprising that in the age of contactless payments and digital wallets, some vehicles still come with dedicated compartments for coins. They may come in handy at toll booths, but for many Americans, they’re little more than wasted cabin space.

6. Sunglasses Holders

A sunglasses compartment sounds genuinely useful—particularly during summer months. The problem is that many seem to have been designed for miniature eyewear. Plenty of drivers discover that their perfectly ordinary sunglasses simply won’t fit inside.

7. Social Media and Messaging Integration

Having messaging apps and social media built into a vehicle might sound like the ultimate connected-car experience. But there’s a downside. Driver distraction remains one of the leading causes of accidents, and constant notifications don’t help matters.

Texting and scrolling behind the wheel can be far more dangerous than many drivers realize. Sometimes, the smartest feature a car can offer is fewer distractions.