Carbuzz Readers Reveal Their Top Non-Negotiable Features
According to Carbuzz.com readers, being sweaty is the absolute worst. In fact, among all the features you told us were your non-negotiable favorites, one reigned supreme – and it’s the one designed to keep your backside cool and crisp. Which features do Carbuzz.com readers love the most? Which can’t they be without? Which are deal breakers if absent from the CR-V, Camaro, or Continental you’re considering? Read on for a roundup of our recent reader feature favorites.
Ventilated Seats
The Favorite Feature Of Carbuzz Readers
Here’s that almost universally loved feature that Carbuzz.com readers want the most. Ventilated or cooled seats began to trickle into the market back in the late 90s, after first being introduced by Saab in 1997. These quickly caught on and became popular across the top trim grades of many mid-and high-end cars and SUVs of the day, from the Honda Accord to the Lincoln Navigator.
The original concept used thin fans to pull air through the seat, whisking away sweaty heat normally trapped between the driver’s back and the seat material. More modern and high-performing versions of the technology improved cooldown time and performance, while simultaneously launching ventilated seats into popularity, even on budget models.
Some Of The Most Affordable Models With Ventilated Seats:
- Kia Forte
- Hyundai Kona
- Toyota Venza
- Subaru Forester
- Mazda CX-5
A Stepped Transmission (No CVTs)
You Demand Stepped Gears
Carbuzz.com readers have identified another important must-have: stepped gears. As one reader put it, “no gears = no deal”, referencing a common sentiment about the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Some drivers just prefer the feel and operation of a conventional stepped gearbox, and others avoid the CVT to steer clear of potential reliability issues common on certain models.
Automakers have had decades to hone and evolve CVT tech and many modern examples are very good. Others are particularly well-suited to hybrid engines, which are growing in popularity. Still, as many enthusiast drivers know, there’s just nothing quite like a traditional transmission when it comes to engagement and feel.
Brands That Have Never Dabbled In CVTs
- BMW
- Porsche
- Genesis
- Cadillac
- Jaguar / Land Rover
Physical Buttons
Carbuzz readers want real buttons: not indented touch-sensitive steering wheel controls like the early VW ID.4, not rotating crystal spheres like in the Genesis GV60, and definitely not those capacitive slider controls for volume and climate that Ford dabbled in for years.
While it’s easy to appreciate the design effort exerted by some manufacturers to create a unique driver-to-vehicle interface, it seems like Carbuzz.com readers mostly prefer to use good old-fashioned clickity-click tactile buttons wherever possible.
Adaptive Suspension
Balancing Ride Versus Handling In Your Favor
Adaptive suspension helps drivers get more value from their car. By utilizing dampers that can alter their responsiveness hundreds or thousands of times per second, engineers can build cars, pickups, and SUVs with ride and handling qualities that cover a much broader spectrum.
With traditional fixed suspension systems like the one you’ll find in a Toyota Corolla, a balance needs to be struck between handling and comfort.
With advanced adaptive systems in cars from the Cadillac ATS to the Chevrolet Silverado to the Porsche Boxster, drivers can choose between a sportier ride when they want one and a more relaxing ride when they don’t. Modern adaptive suspension systems give motorists a win-win: more comfort and better handling without compromise, with added body motion control to keep occupants stable and comfortable in their seats.
Some Of The Most Affordable Models With Adaptive Suspension
- VW Golf GTI
- Ford Mustang
- Tesla Model 3 Performance
- Hyundai Palisade
- Ford F-150
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Some cars were late to this party, so shop carefully
In the mid-2010s, the automotive industry was pushing at full steam to appeal to a shopper who was more connected than ever. At this point in history, the smartphone and tablet were mainstream staples in the digital lives of many drivers, virtually all of whom had an Apple or Android phone in their pocket at virtually all times.
These latest phones featured voice assistants and were experts at connecting users with their contacts, playlists, up-to-date maps, weather, and hands-free communication functions. Carmakers had been using built-in voice assistants and navigation systems for years, but they were all pretty terrible compared to what the modern driver now has in their pocket.
It wasn’t long before Android Auto and Apple CarPlay hit the scene, allowing drivers to upscale that experience into their dashboard. By 2020, both features were virtually standard across the entire industry, with many models switching to wireless capability in recent years.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay Tips For Used Car Buyers
- A brand-new, high-quality USB cable can prevent headaches
- Check to see if the model you’re considering has an optional upgrade to Wireless Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which may include wireless charging or a bigger touchscreen
- Handset software update recommended
- First-time users can engage the voice assistant and ask “what can you do” or “help” for further instructions at the wheel
- Some cars can have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay added to their infotainment systems with updated software, others can’t
High Speed USB-C Charging
Keeping Juiced Up On The Go With High-Power Options
Carbuzz.com readers say staying juiced up on the go is just as important as staying connected, which is why our next entry deals with USB charging. Not all carmakers do a great job with this. Case in point? When it launched, the new Acura Integra had just a single USB port in the entire base-model car. On the other side of the spectrum, many of today’s latest cars and trucks come with a multitude of high-output USB-C charging ports in each seating row.
The USB-C standard has a sleeker and more compact plug, cleaning up the look of the car’s forward dash. High-output versions can rapidly charge the big battery in your camera, iPad or even laptop on the go. Hyundai and Kia even have a clever USB plug-in center with a dual-purpose port that allows drivers to switch between “charge only” and “USB connectivity” with the tap of a button.
An Actual Spare Tire (With a Jack)
Run Flat Tires Don’t Help If You Blow Out a Sidewall
Run-flat tires and mobility kits have their place, but for some Carbuzz.com readers, having an actual spare tire with a jack is mandatory. This is such an important and easily overlooked point, and we’re glad someone pointed it out. To save weight or free up cargo space, some cars come with a sealant and inflator kit that can patch a small puncture without removing the wheel. Other vehicles have run-flat tires, which can be driven at low speeds for short periods without any air in them.
Both of these solutions let drivers limp their vehicle to a nearby tire shop for a proper repair without a roadside tire change, but neither will help you in the event of catastrophic tire damage. If a pothole, rock, or piece of debris blows a hand-sized hole into your sidewall, you’ll be happy to have a full-sized spare on board. It pays to know what sort of mobility provisions your new (or used) car is equipped with before you need them, to avoid nasty surprises.
What Spare Tire Provisions Come With The Car You’re Considering?
- Run-flat tires are common in high-performing applications and on upgrade-sized wheels.
- Spare tire equipment can vary by trim grade across a given model range
- Some 4×4 and SUV models are factory-equipped with external spare tire carriers. Aftermarket solutions are also available
- You can’t tow a trailer on a temporary spare
Advanced Camera Technology
A tremendous boost to situational awareness
Tiny little cameras are abundant and cheap in 2025. You’ve probably got a few of them sticking out of the back of your smartphone, another one on your doorbell, and one to keep an eye on your dog while you’re out and about. Modern cars are home to many, many cameras as well– and Carbuzz.com readers want in.
The backup camera is a nearly universal want, with some readers also mentioning rear camera mirrors as something they’ll be on the lookout for in their next machine. As a certified camera nerd myself, I’m a major fan of the Hyundai / Kia blind-zone camera mirror system, and the wide-angle rear camera mirror systems you’ll find in machinery from the Chevrolet Bolt to the Lexus LS to the Jeep Grand Cherokee. These systems are executed particularly well and give drivers a tremendous boost to situational awareness, reducing stress at the wheel.
If you’re after the best backup camera for a wintry climate, steer your attention towards a modern Mercedes or recent Volkswagen, as many models have camera modules that are concealed and sealed away from salt and spray. They only peek out when activated, ensuring drivers always have a clear view.
Head-Up Display
A Futuristic Technical Touch
For readers of a certain vintage, few features felt like more of a leap into the future than the initial automotive use of the Head-Up Display (HUD). These days, we’re much more used to seeing screens and displays in our surroundings, but the HUD has continued to evolve, and Carbuzz.com readers want in. The latest HUD displays in luxury cars and SUVs are larger, clearer, more informative, and more colorful than ever.
The HUD has also become somewhat popular in the market’s affordable model lines, with Mazda, Hyundai, Kia, and Chevrolet all offering plenty of affordable HUD-equipped options in recent years.
Sources: TheAutoChannel, Ford, Mazda
