MARK TAKAHASHI: Back in June we released a video of the 10
design trends we disliked.
And it seemed to get a lot of attention.
As a counterpoint, we're offering you
the 12 features we absolutely love because who wants
to be negative all the time?
Like the last list, these aren't in any particular order.
And we'd also love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Let's just keep it civil, OK?
My mom read these.
As always, hit the Subscribe button below
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MARK'S MOM: (LAUGHING) Mark sucks.
MARK TAKAHASHI: First up, adaptive cruise control.
Ask most people what part of driving they like the least,
and you'll probably hear traffic.
Bumper to bumper traffic used to be a way of life here in LA.
It was a soul-sucking exercise in patience and frustration.
Thankfully there is a feature that
alleviates a lot of the tedium.
And it's widely available.
Adaptive cruise control uses sensors upfront to judge
how close you're following to the vehicle ahead.
As traffic slows or speeds up, the system
automatically adjusts, maintaining a gap
that you usually set.
Adaptive cruise has been in development
since the 1990s with Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Toyota, and GM
all working on it independently.
The early systems weren't all that great,
with some rather excessive lurches when changing speeds.
But they've gotten a lot better.
Now many systems operate just as smoothly as a typical driver.
Much of the tedium and fatigue has been alleviated,
both in traffic and on free-flowing highways.
I also find myself being less stressed out
and far more forgiving of my fellow drivers.
Yes, it can be said that adaptive cruise control made me
a better person.
And now that it's available in more economical cars,
perhaps it can make the whole world a better place.
Adaptive suspension-- sometimes I
want a sporty suspension tuning that dials out body roll
and increases cornering performance.
Other times I want a softer and more comfortable ride.
Adaptive suspensions allow for both in the same vehicle.
There are a lot of different names given to this--
adaptive dampers, air ride, magnetorheological.
But they all function similarly.
With a touch of the button or turn of a dial,
you can pick the setting that suits your particular mood.
In essence, you can switch between a ride
quality that's more in line with a grand tour, or a sports car.
Two for the price of one?
Maybe not, but you're certainly getting a broader range
of comfort and performance.
Ventilated seats-- full disclosure,
I don't enjoy exercise.
And I don't really take care of my body.
As a result, I tend to run a little hot.
I hate getting stuck in a seat for hours on end
if it's a hot day and if the upholstery is stifling.
Plus, I look like a disheveled slob when I get out.
Ventilated and cooled seats are a godsend for me.
They keep me pleasantly cool on long road trips
and reduce fatigue.
A word of caution, though, ventilated seats typically
pull air through the seat and blow it into the rear passenger
space--
something to keep in mind if you've eaten a lot of broccoli.
Matrix beam headlights-- you may not
be that familiar with matrix beam headlights
because they're not yet approved for use on US roads.
Come on, DOT.
What's the holdup?
Word is, they may get approval soon.
Matrix headlights use a lighting segment to eliminate
a section of the road ahead.
With all segments lit, they appear to the driver
as a broad spread of light with the high beams on.
As we all know, high beams are a problem for opposing traffic.
So matrix beams automatically dim a section of the lights
to avoid blinding your fellow motorists.
In some case, it also dims sections for pedestrians.
It's a step up from automatic height
beams and has the potential to make roads a safer place.
It's more expensive and typically reserved
for luxury cars.
But just as with any new technology,
it'll get more affordable and widespread at some point.
Wireless phone integration-- nowadays, staying connected
is critical for many people.
Unfortunately, staying connected can
be distracting when you're operating a vehicle.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have made great strides
in reducing distractions with familiar interfaces
and lots of voice controls.
The next steps are more incremental.
Wireless versions of each are now
becoming more common, which means you don't have
to buy a BMW just to get it.
Kia has begun offering it, too, among
a few other manufacturers.
My issue is you still need a cord to charge it.
That's why I really like when wireless phone integration is
paired with a wireless charging pad.
It's great.
You just drop your phone in the pad and go.
Most systems will also remind you to take the phone with you
when you park.
AUTOMATED VOICE SYSTEM: Your cell phone
is still in the vehicle.
MARK TAKAHASHI: Wireless charging
pads are also evolving Audi has a signal booster built
into some.
And the Kia K5 has a built-in cooling vent.
Configurable cargo areas-- we pay a lot of attention
to cargo capacity, especially for family-oriented vehicles.
Just as important as the sheer volume of stuff
that you can cram back there is how
versatile that space can be.
One of the best examples is in the Volvo XC40.
The floor of the cargo area can be used to section off parts
to better hold smaller items.
That means you can have all your grocery bags behind a partition
hanging from hooks.
If you're parked uphill, you won't
have to chase down an errant orange or cantaloupe when
you open the liftgate.
The Lincoln Navigator also has a sectionable cargo space
that is well suited to its split liftgate.
You can position a shelf to allow access through the glass
section up top and have more storage underneath
for the full tailgate.
Versatile tailgates-- those SUV liftgates with separate glass
openings get an honorable mention on this list.
Somewhat related are the new versatile tailgates
on pickup trucks.
Years ago, Ford introduced the Man Step
to the F-Series trucks.
And it made perfect sense, especially
for those with mobility issues.
GM mocked the idea, right up until they came out
with their own MultiPro tailgate on the GMC Sierra.
Ram has their own multifunction tailgate version, too.
The GMC version not only has a step function,
but can also be flipped up to better secure cargo back there.
The Ram tailgate is split like barn doors, which
can be especially helpful in some towing situations that
won't allow bed access without unhitching the trailer.
Reverse tow assist--
I'm pretty comfortable driving in any condition.
But if you really want to see me uncomfortable,
have me reverse a trailer into a parking spot.
I mean, I'm getting the cold sweats just thinking about it.
I know, I know, some of you are pros at it.
And there are tricks to doing it.
The fact of the matter is I rarely trailer stuff.
And when I do, it's a small motorcycle U-Haul trailer.
With more practice, yeah, I think I can get the hang of it.
But I have more pressing issues in my life.
That's why I love reverse tow assist.
It's not particularly new.
But it works perfectly.
With the Ford system I tested, you just
stick on some positioning stickers, set up the system,
and go.
You steer with a dash-mounted knob,
while the actual steering wheel spins
madly to maneuver the trailer right where you want it.
HUD-- no, I'm not talking about the Department
of Housing and Urban Development or a classic Paul Newman movie.
We're talking about a head-up display.
No, it's not heads up display.
It's head-up display.
It's singular for some reason.
Pedantry aside, head-up displays were developed during World War
II to help fighter pilots.
In the decades since, HUDs have evolved dramatically,
delivering a ton of essential information
to pilots without forcing them to look down
at the instruments.
Cars have less sophisticated versions,
but are equally adept at information delivery.
You get the basics, like, speed.
But sportier cars will show engine speed and G-Forces, too.
Others include turn-by-turn navigation
and audio information.
Most will reflect the image into the windshield,
which is preferred.
But some less expensive alternatives
from Hyundai and Mazda have employed
a plastic flip-up screen.
It's not as good, particularly if you're on a bumpy road,
but it's a nice touch to include, nonetheless.
Smart inflate-- if you want to get the best fuel economy
or range from your vehicle, one of the easiest
things you can do is to ensure your tires
are properly inflated.
Unfortunately, it can be a pain sometimes.
Do you have a tire gauge?
Is the one at the gas station even accurate?
Nissan introduced a clever new feature a few years ago
that uses systems already built into the car.
The tire pressure monitors in each well
would let you know when the correct pressure was reached
by softly beeping the horn.
Other manufacturers have followed suit.
I love this kind of repurposing of existing tech
to create a new feature.
It's like using GPS map data to maximize
fuel efficiency for hybrid vehicles,
or log lap times on a race track.
Sport exhaust modes--
I love the sound of a rumbly V8, or the shriek of a V12.
But sometimes I'd rather fly under the radar.
Why, no, officer.
That wasn't me making all that noise.
Sport exhaust modes have not only made my life better,
but also my neighbors'.
If I'm sneaking out for a drive before the sun comes up,
I'd prefer not to shock the entire block awake
with a 7 liter explosion of fuel and fury.
The quiet start mode in some Mustangs and other vehicles
solve that problem.
They even made it smarter by allowing
you to set a time range for the quiet start
just in case you forget.
Once you're out of earshot of anyone who knows you,
hit the binocular button and enjoy
that glorious howl echo off the canyon walls
and scare the hell out of anyone in the tunnel.
Thigh extenders-- here's one for the taller drivers.
Having a good amount of thigh support
helps with overall comfort and reduces fatigue
over long distances.
BMW was early on the scene with thigh extensions
on the seat cushions, allowing short and tall drivers
alike to find a position that best suits them.
Some are manual.
Some have power adjustments.
Most don't offer them at all.
If this is a problem for you, definitely
pay attention to this feature next time
you're on a test drive.
In the same area, but not necessarily related
is something I'd like to share with you
from the previous video, where I ranted
about flat bottom steering wheels.
You, our wonderful commenters, have shown me the light.
I now fully appreciate the merits
of a flat bottom steering wheel for larger drivers who
like a little extra room when getting in and out of the car.
See?
My opinions can indeed evolve with the right kind
of motivation.
That's your cue to let us know in the comments
below what your favorite features are, or disagree
with the ones I included.
Also, feel free to suggest topics for future videos,
so long as it doesn't involve me taking a long walk off
of a short pier.
Thanks again for watching.
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