Which Features Should I Look for in a New Car?

Are you in the market for a new set of wheels and the choices are making you dizzy? Shopping for a new car can be complicated—but it doesn’t have to be that way. With a bit of research and some time spent determining what’s important to you, you can make a choice you’ll be happy with for years to come.

To help you out, we’ve created a list of key features you might want to consider in your new car, as well as a list of features you can skip.

Safety Features

• 360-degree camera: This camera gives drivers a bird’s-eye view of the area around the car. 
• Evasive steering: This feature provides additional steering support when you’re in danger of colliding with another vehicle, and your own steering efforts are insufficient. 
• Forward collision warning: Drivers get a visual and/or audible alert when their vehicle is heading toward a forward collision. 
• Blind spot alert: This feature alerts the driver when there is an object or pedestrian in direct line of their blind spot. 
• Automatic emergency braking: Stay safe with this feature, which automatically applies the brakes when it senses a vehicle in your car’s way. Some systems include pedestrian detection as well.

Convenient Features

• Automatic keyless entry: This feature automatically unlocks a car’s doors when it senses a nearby fob. 
• Power tailgate: This feature for pickup trucks and SUVs lets you lower and raise your tailgate with the push of a button. 
• Multi-zone climate system: Family road trips are peaceful again with this feature, which allows for different climate controls throughout the car. 
• Speedy USB-charging outlets: No more unbearable waits for your gadgets to power up with this super-speedy USB port. 
• Heated steering wheel and driver’s seat: This one is for those frosty mornings when your car can’t get warm fast enough. 
• Wireless charging pad: Just place your phone on one of these pads and it will start powering up.

Fun-to-Have Features

• Home assist device connectivity: Some new cars allow you to use remote voice control with home assist technologies, like Alexa, for your car.
• Rear entertainment systems: This feature gives the rear seat of your car a completely separate entertainment system.
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay: These features sync your smartphone’s interface with your car’s infotainment system for easier phone control.

Features You Could Skip

• Bigger wheels and thinner tires: The ride will be less comfortable and your wheels will be more prone to damage from potholes. 
• Built-in navigation systems: You know you’re going to use Waze most of the time anyway. Also, most built-in navigation systems require constant updates. 
• Lane keeping assist: This feature automatically steers or brakes your car when you cross a lane marking without turning on a blinker. In real life, though, it can be annoying as you’ll often need to cross a lane marker for good reason, like moving over for an emergency vehicle.

Before you start shopping, visit our Community Financial Auto Resource Center. Get quotes, compare vehicles, and calculate payments so you can know before you go to the dealership!

Plus, from May 13 – July 31, 2019, getting an auto loan from Community Financial means you could win FREE GAS for the next year!* That’s $2,600 worth of gas! Learn more at cfcu.org/loanoffers.

Your Turn: Did you buy a new car recently? Tell us about the features you chose in the comments below.