When customising your order for your new car, there are some optional features we wouldn’t be without these days. Now that technology is such a big part of our lives, some of our suggestions from 2020, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, come as standard.
Equally, there’s some features, like autonomous emergency braking, that are now legally required too. At times, depending on the features you’re after, it might be more cost-effective to opt for a higher trim, which automatically includes some of the features you were willing to pay separately for.
At other times, it might be more cost-effective to go for a lower spec and buy a third-party device or accessory. Whether you’re getting your next motor through a car leasing scheme, or buying outright, choosing tech is often the most exciting bit. But certain choices may not offer as much value as you want when you sell the car.
Recognised packs, such as Mercedes-Benz Premium Plus, are the kind used car buyers will recognise straight away and thus, will help retain the value of your vehicle.
What options do you need for a car?
After much deliberation and calculation, the Parkers team has concluded that the following car options are 2022’s must-have extras and two that you could give or take, depending on your mood. (We’ve even included the array of different nomenclature the manufacturers use too)
- 360-degree parking camera
- Adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Folding mirrors
- Four-wheel drive (4WD)
- Handsfree tailgate
- Heated steering wheel
- Long range electric vehicles
- Metallic paint job
- Night vision
Which options are less essential?
The must-have car options for 2022
360-degree camera
Reversing cameras became mandatory in production of cars sold in the UK from July 2022. Now that we’ve been using them for a few years, frankly, it’s hard to imagine life without them. While it’s possible to park using just your wing mirrors (and the obligatory neck twist, if you’re so inclined), a camera just makes the whole experience far more successful and stress-free.
No camera makes it easier than a bird’s-eye-view 360-degree job though. Multiple cameras give you exactly that: an all-round view of the car and the software is configured to display it on the centre console as though you were looking at the car from above. No need to step out and walk around to check. Not lazy, just super convenient.
If you’re offering a trim or pack upgrade to include this split-screen slice of visibility heaven, take it. Range Rover goes one step further to offer ‘ClearSight Ground View’ so you can see the surface as though the bonnet of the car weren’t there. This augmented reality (AR) is also displayed on the centre screen.
360° cameras are available on:
- BMW (Surround View)
- Jaguar (3D Surround Camera)
- Kia (Around view monitor)
- Nissan (Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM))
- Range Rover (360° Camera)
- Peugeot (360° Camera)
- Volvo (360° Camera)
>> Read more about aftermarket reversing cameras to upgrade your current car
Adaptive cruise control with traffic assist
Cruise control can be one of the most useful features, especially if you’re munching loads of miles on the motorway each week. As if escalating running costs weren’t enough to frustrate motorists, perpetual roadworks with average speed restrictions and Big Brother cameras blight our journey progress and can result in penalty points and fines if you have a persistently heavy right foot.
The introduction of radar and other sensing technologies into our cars has made cruise control a must-have feature. Now adaptive—by keeping a set distance from the vehicle and enhanced with lane-keeping assistance technology—mandated at the same time as reversing cameras—some advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) take it one step further.
Once upon a time, cruise control wouldn’t be activated under 19mph. Now, if you approach heavy congestion, the car will automatically manage the stop/start nature of a traffic jam. It’s pretty impressive, not only keeping a fair distance from the car in front but also better managing fuel consumption. In July 2022, owners of authorised car models (those on an official list) were permitted to allow their cars to drive themselves in congestion, up to 37mph.
Adaptive cruise control with traffic assist is available on:
- Audi (Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist)
- BMW (Dynamic Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist)
- Volkswagen (ACC with Traffic Jam Assist)
Adaptive LED headlights
One of the more controversial discussions in the Parkers office, LED headlights might seem like a bit of an indulgence. LED lights are fast replacing traditional halogen lights. Where they aren’t the only option, they might be available as LED-based daytime running lights (DRL).
Rather than one conventional bulb, LED lights sit as a grid clustered to make up one light. Coupled with ‘Automatic Hi-Beam’, adaptive LED headlights use sensors and camera to detect oncoming traffic and pedestrians and turn off the specific diodes where the beam points directly at them. In manipulating the pattern of light in such a nuanced way, the driver gets all the benefit of high-beam, without blinding other road users.
That’s the theory anyway. While some models don’t work quite as sharply as we’d like in practice, this tech can only improve and is undoubtedly safer than relying on all drivers (yes, those fallible, often tired, humans) to consistently switch between high and low beam.
The extra cost may be less than you think, too – compare the price of LED and Adaptive LED lights on the Ford Focus, for example, and you’ll be surpised to find the vastly better night vision and convenience adds little more than the cost of a pair of high-end designer sunglasses.
Adaptive LED headlights are available on cars from:
- Audi (Matrix LED lights)
- BMW (Adaptive LED lights)
- Ford (Dynamic LED lighting)
- Jaguar (Matrix LED with signature DRL)
- Land Rover (Pixel-laser LED with signature DRL)
- Volvo (Active Bending LED lights with Shadow Technology)
Automatic Folding Mirrors
Automatic folding mirrors are a joy. While many car makers will offer a closing action as standard, it’s always worth checking. This feature helps drivers park in tighter spaces and avoid damage from passing bikes and cars when parallel parked on busy streets.
A simple button, usually accessible from the driver’s door control panel, enables the wing mirrors to be closed and opened on command.
Automatic folding mirrors are available on (but not limited to):
- BMW (Auto Fold Mirrors)
- Ford (Power folding mirrors)
- Nissan (Auto folding mirrors)
Four-wheel drive
For a car to be useful in all conditions and weathers without too much extra effort, four-wheel drive (4WD), or all-wheel drive (AWD) is a must-have. Finding a 4×4 car is a lot easier than it used to be, now technology and reliability has improved and parts are more easily available.
You’d be forgiven for thinking the rising number of potholes on UK roads is justification enough to plump for the AWD feature. But actually, more refinement and improved tyre technology mean 4WD isn’t the cumbersome, fuel-thirsty feature of yore.
Four-wheel drive is more common in electric cars, since having two motors (one on each axle) is easier without the transmission issues (there’s no manual gearing in an electric car like in a conventional one).
A more refined 4WD can help hold the residual value of your car, though the domination of crossovers like the Nissan Qashqai, which don’t carry the feature, can be misleading. Make sure you check out our recommendations for the best four-wheel drive system.
All-wheel drive is available on:
- BMW (xDrive)
- Jaguar (AWD)
- Mercedes-Benz (4Matic)
- Range Rover (4-Wheel Drive)
- Skoda (4×4)
- Tesla (Dual-motor models)
- Volkswagen (4Motion)
- Volvo (AWD)
Handsfree tailgate
First spotted on the Ford Kuga, the handsfree tailgate is a genius invention we wouldn’t be without. An appreciative nod to parents and busy families juggling a million plates, a hands-free tailgate swings open with a deft waving of your foot under the right part of the rear bumper. Hands-full, in the rain, there’s nothing worse than fumbling for your keys, so we’re big fans of this feature.
The keyfob is the clue the car needs to ensure there’s no security risk. Once it detects that, it’ll ‘Open Sesame’ like magic. Of course, you can also use the button on the keyfob like normal too. It’s nice to have choices.
Hands-free tailgate is available on:
- Audi (Advanced Key with handsfree tailgate release)
- BMW (Electric tailgate)
- Ford (Hands-free tailgate)
- Honda (Hands-free tailgate)
- Jaguar/Land Rover (Gesture tailgate)
- Nissan (Hands-free tailgate)
- Skoda (Hands-free tailgate, part of KESSY)
Heated steering wheel
When you’re commuting during the winter, it’s a constant battle keeping warm. By the time you’ve scraped the ice off your car windows, and got in the car to head into the office, your hands are freezing.
The recent innovation of the heated steering wheel can make winter driving life more bearable.
Heated steering wheels available on, but not limited to:
- BMW 4 Series Convertible
- Ford Ranger
- Jaguar XF
- Kia Ceed
- Land Rover Discovery Sport
- Nissan Leaf
- SsangYong Musso Saracen
- Vauxhall Corsa
Long Range EVs
In a long-awaited follow-up to Tesla’s far-reaching miles, Hyundai Kona Electric is among a swathe of electric cars that’ll deliver a genuine real world 280+ miles on a charge.
A game-changing range for many commuters, coupled with faster charging times, electric cars are now perfectly usable for the majority of people out there. Especially if we – the UK – roll a decent public charging network capable of weaning the majority of us off fossil fuel.
What’s more, longer range will likely have greater appeal when you come to trade your EV up.
>> Read more about the best electric cars for long range
Metallic Paint Job
Perhaps a surprising fact but some colours sell on more easily than others. Metallic paint jobs can be more expensive to repair if that time ever comes. It tends to carry a premium because it looks more attractive and can indicate a better trim level on the inside too.
Yet, metallic paint can protect the colour better since it’s resistant to the same sun-fading affecting matt colours. According to SMMT, grey has been the most popular colour for four years now, accounting for 25% of cars sold. Black accounts for 21%, though it is thought many of these will be fleet purchases, for an executive look.
With brown shades making a comeback in home interiors, it could be that a more natural palette will replace the gloomier greys as we progress towards that 2030 all-electric deadline. One thing is sure though; as brilliant as bright colour can look, unless a sports or performance model, it won’t have the same resale value as a more neutral colour.
>> Read more about Parkers investigation into the costs of paint
Night-vision systems
Night-vision has the potential to become mainstream thanks to the Peugeot 508 and DS 7 Crossback, sub-£40,000 options. Taking over the central portion of the adaptive LCD dashboard, the relatively narrow angle of view takes in hazards a decent distance ahead, with a shimmering monochrome image.
It’s not too distracting and proves very effective. Pedestrians are reliably picked out in yellow boxes, but again, not too intrusively; there’s no distraction from actual driving. Such effectiveness has real benefits not only for the driver, but for pedestrians too. Anticipating a hidden figure approaching a zebra crossing is much easier.
Night vision is available on:
- Bentley (Night Vision)
- Jaguar (Night Vision)
- Land Rover (part of Vision Assist)
- Lexus (Night view)
- Mercedes-Benz (Night view assist)
- Peugeot (Night Vision)
Less essential options
Now we’ve covered the must-haves, let’s look at the nice-to-haves.
Flappy Paddles
Keen drivers might wish to opt for flappy paddles. Depending on the model of car you go for, they’re not necessarily the number one priority for drivers buying on the secondhand market. That’s not to say they’re not a lot of fun. Upshifting and downshifting like your favourite F1 driver can give you a greater sense of driving pleasure behind the wheel.
Intelligent Interior Lighting
After having a pretty odd experience of Volkswagen ID.4‘s fancy interior lighting, one has to ask the question the philosophy behind interior mood lighting. That said, when many vehicles forced to stand on driveways during the pandemic became extensions of homes and makeshift offices, the comfort of car cabins became increasingly more important.
Fancy cabin lighting tends to come packaged with some other feature upgrades, if it’s not part of the standard package. Anything else is harder to justify, cost-wise.
Larger Wheels
Larger wheels can look seriously sweeeeet (yes, five ‘e’s) on the right car.Chances are, if you’re considering them, you’re looking at a sporty ride. Bigger wheels can mean more contact with the ground and better visual appeal of the vehicle.
Bigger rims means bigger tyres though and that can mean higher running costs. Larger wheels fitted to the wrong car can result in greater wear, extra pressure on the axles and uneven wear on the tyre tread. Think carefully before opting for wheel upgrades. It’s not something that can’t be done at a later date.
Remote Control Parking
Remote parking is another feature that tends to be rolled up into other driver assistance features. While other remote controls are possible through proprietary companion apps, e.g. unlocking and locking vehicles, BMW and Tesla are two of the front runners for bringing remote parking to cars.
BMW remote parking works thrugh the key, Tesla’s Summons through the app. While these innovations are going to prove incredibly useful in the future for applications such as parking in tight spaces or parking accurately over a wireless charging pad, its infancy means the technology can frequently fail.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android
The introduction of wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is the missing link for many modern car-buyers. Unlocking a vast swathe of apps and services alongside internet connectivity, all without needing a cable, is a key step forward for connected cars.
It even charges your device at the same time.
However, reports over overheating handsets and glitchy connections mean this isn’t a perfected solution just yet, even though we do love the tidiness of a cable-free-cabin.
Unlike other features here, however, this could improve with over-the-air updates in time.
Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto is available from these car makers:
- Audi
- BMW
- Ford
- Jeep
- Kia
- Lamborghini
- Mercedes-Benz
- MINI
- Skoda
- Toyota
- Volkswagen
