# Feature Sets I Want in My Ideal Car > [!metadata]- Metadata > **Published:** [[2025-01-31|Jan 31, 2025]] > **Tags:** #🌐 #tech #automotive Like many, I often find myself dreaming about my ideal car. It's not just about the brand or the model, but more about the features that would make driving safer, more comfortable, and enjoyable. Here's my automotive wishlist, categorized for better readability. ## Power and Efficiency - **Range Extender**: I prefer pure electric vehicles with range extenders - gas-powered generators that can charge the battery when needed. Examples include the Chevrolet Volt, Scout Terra, Mazda MX-30 R-EV, Hyundai EREV SUV, and Fisker Karma. This setup provides better efficiency than regular hybrids while still eliminating range anxiety. ## Comfort Features - **Moonroof**: A moonroof brings natural light and fresh air into the car, making every drive feel special. - **Electrically Adjustable Seat Positioning & Profile Memory**: Finding the perfect driving position is crucial for comfort, especially on long journeys. Memory profiles are a godsend for multi-driver households. - **Heated Seats in the front**: Heated seats are pure bliss on cold mornings, especially in Canadian winters. - **Heated Steering Wheel**: Another winter comfort feature that should be standard in cold climates. - **Dual zone front climate control**: Ensuring both the driver and front passenger are comfortable temperature-wise is key to a pleasant driving experience. - **Front height adjustable headrests**: Ensuring comfortable and safe head positioning is important for reducing neck strain on longer drives. ## Safety and Driver Assistance - **Adaptive Cruise Control**: Highway driving can be tedious; adaptive cruise control makes long drives more relaxed and safer. - **Parking Sensors & Cameras**: These are indispensable aids for navigating tight parking spots, especially in bustling city environments. - **Blind spot and lane departure warnings & accident avoidance system**: These advanced driver-assistance systems are crucial for preventing accidents. - **Lane keep assist**: Helps maintain lane position on highways, reducing driver fatigue and enhancing safety. - **Pre-collision safety system**: A critical safety net that can mitigate or even prevent collisions. - **Traction control**: Essential for maintaining control in slippery conditions. - **Emergency braking assist**: A vital safety feature that can make a significant difference in critical situations. - **Tire pressure monitoring**: Maintaining optimal tire pressure is important for safety, fuel efficiency, and tire longevity. ## Convenience and Technology - **Apple Carplay**: Seamless smartphone integration is a must. Apple CarPlay is my preferred way to stay connected for navigation, music, and hands-free calls. However, if a car has an infotainment system as intuitive and feature-rich as those found in Tesla or Rivian, I might be okay without Apple CarPlay. - **Automatic headlamps**: A basic convenience and safety feature that simplifies driving. - **Automatic rain sensing wipers**: Convenience and improved visibility in rainy weather. - **Heated Mirrors**: Essential for winter driving to ensure clear visibility by quickly clearing frost and ice. - **Hands-free Entry**: A touch of convenience that's much appreciated when your hands are full. - **Keyless Ignition**: A modern convenience feature that simplifies starting and stopping the car. - **Tilt and telescopic steering wheel**: Adjusting the steering wheel to the perfect position is essential for comfortable and ergonomic driving. - **Electric power steering**: For easier maneuverability, especially at low speeds, and improved fuel efficiency. ## Autonomous Driving and Advanced Safety - **LIDAR sensors**: After watching the [Wall Street Journal's investigation](https://youtu.be/mPUGh0qAqWA?si=W0xnfON2k1gmIglz) into Tesla's Autopilot crashes, I'm convinced that LIDAR sensors are essential for any car with autonomous driving capabilities. LIDAR provides precise depth perception and obstacle detection regardless of lighting conditions. ## Digital Integration and Security - **Digital Key & Smart Integration**: - NFC-based keyless entry using smartphone - Mobile app integration for remote vehicle management including: - Lock/unlock - Climate control - Battery/charging status - Vehicle location - Remote start - Usage statistics and diagnostics - Digital key sharing with family members or trusted friends - **Engine immobilizer**: A basic yet essential security feature to deter theft. ## All-Wheel Drive and Tire Management - **All Wheel Drive**: Living in a place with varied weather conditions, especially in Canada where snow and snow storms are common, all-wheel drive offers enhanced stability and control. - **On-board Tire Inflation and Deflation System**: Inspired by Rivian, this feature would allow adjusting tire pressure directly from the car, optimizing tire pressure for different terrains or loads. This is my current checklist for the ideal car. As technology advances and my needs evolve, this list might change, but for now, these are the features that I value most.