You probably know your car has a radio and air conditioning, but what about those hidden or overlooked features?
Whether you bought your car used and haven’t fully explored its capabilities or purchased a new one with an overwhelming array of gadgets, it’s easy to miss some of what your car can do.
Spending hours at the dealership may leave little motivation for a comprehensive rundown, and even older luxury cars sometimes had unique, innovative features—like the golf bag door found on pre-war roadsters.
Even basic models of modern cars come loaded with features, many of which go unnoticed. Technologies like touchscreen radios integrated with climate controls, blind spot monitoring, and digital gauges are no longer exclusive to high-end vehicles.
Federal regulations have also introduced mandatory features such as backup cameras (2018), multiple airbags (1999), and emergency trunk release systems (2000).
If you’ve recently bought a new car, chances are you spent more time at the dealer than you’d have liked and left without a full understanding of all the bells and whistles.
And if your car is a used model, it might include quirky features that newer cars don’t have.
Here are a few features some new, some old you may not realize your car has.
1. Built-in Vacuum
As cars inevitably get messy—especially if you have kids or take frequent vacations—it’s surprising that built-in vacuums didn’t debut until 2014. Honda was the first to introduce the HondaVac in select trims of its Odyssey minivan.
Neatly tucked into a side panel in the cargo area, the HondaVac is simple to use: turn the ignition to accessory mode, head to the back of the van, grab the hose, and press the button.
The collected debris is stored in a container within the panel, which can be removed and emptied when full.
Despite decades of product design, automakers largely overlooked the convenience of an in-car vacuum until Honda led the way. Toyota followed suit in 2016 with the Sienna, and Chrysler introduced its Stow ‘n Vac in the Pacifica in 2017.
However, Honda hit a roadblock in 2020 when Shop-Vac, the manufacturer of the vacuum, was acquired by a Chinese corporation, disrupting the supply chain.
Consequently, Honda omitted the vacuum option from the 2022 Odyssey but has stated plans to secure a new supplier.
For now, if your van has a built-in vacuum, it’s worth checking to see if there’s a hose tucked away in the rear panel.
2. Advanced Air Filtration
While a gas mask in a car may seem unnecessary—unless you’re driving a WWII tank—some Tesla models are equipped with a feature that’s essentially the next best thing.
Certain Teslas boast advanced HEPA filtration systems that span the width of the windshield, significantly larger than typical cabin air filters. This filtration system is part of Tesla’s “Bioweapon Defense Mode.”
Although the name is a playful exaggeration in line with Tesla’s branding style, the system is no joke. It provides extraordinary air purification, designed to protect occupants from almost any airborne contamination, including bacteria, pollen, smoke, and other pollutants.
Tesla claims the system is robust enough to allow safe passage through hazardous air conditions, like heavy smoke, although caution is still advised.
3. Dual-Clutch Transmission
The Evolution of Gear Shifting
For most of automotive history, cars have come with either manual or automatic transmissions. However, your vehicle may be equipped with a hybrid of the two: a dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
Originally developed for Formula 1 racing, this technology has made its way into everyday vehicles.
A DCT uses manual transmission gearsets but incorporates an electronically controlled clutch with dual discs. These discs enable the transmission to engage sequential gears almost instantly.
While one clutch engages the current gear, the second clutch is prepped for the next, resulting in near-seamless shifts within milliseconds.
This not only delivers a smoother driving experience but also improves efficiency, as less power is lost during gear changes compared to traditional automatic transmissions.
If you drive a Volkswagen built in the last 15 years, there’s a good chance you have a DCT. The feature is also found in many Ford Focus models, Porsches, Hyundais, Alfa Romeos, and other vehicles. To confirm, consult your owner’s manual.
4. Hands-Free Power Liftgate
The hands-free power liftgate is one of the most convenient features to emerge in recent years.
While power-operated liftgates on wagons and SUVs have been around for some time, the ability to open them without using your hands is a game-changer.
These systems typically operate in one of two ways, both designed to make life easier.
Some liftgates open when you’re near the vehicle with the key fob in your pocket, activated by simply sliding your foot under the rear bumper.
A motion sensor triggers the door to open, allowing you to load groceries or other items without having to juggle buttons or keys.
Other versions automatically open when you’re close to the liftgate with the fob, requiring virtually no additional effort.
If your car is equipped with this feature, you’re likely already familiar with it.
However, if you purchased your car used, you might not have tested it out, especially if you were too self-conscious to wave your foot under the bumper in public while carrying an armful of groceries.
If you’re curious, try it out in the privacy of your garage—nobody has to know if it takes a few tries to master the motion.
5. Traffic Light Detector
At first glance, the idea of a traffic light detector might seem unnecessary—after all, you’re perfectly capable of seeing traffic lights on your own.
However, some modern vehicles, like select Audi models equipped with advanced digital gauge clusters, offer this intriguing feature.
The system uses sophisticated technology, including a 4G LTE hotspot, to connect with traffic light sensors.
On the display, you’ll see a small traffic light illustration that provides a countdown to when a red light will turn green.
While this might seem like a minor feature, it adds a fun and futuristic touch to the driving experience.
This feature underscores the increasing interconnectedness between vehicles and the surrounding world. In terms of practical applications, it’s mostly a novelty—but it can offer a slight advantage at stoplights.
Just resist the temptation to challenge that unmarked Dodge Charger next to you—it’s probably a cop, so don’t do it.
6. NASA-Inspired Seat Technology
Driving your Nissan might not be quite as thrilling as piloting a spacecraft, but your seat might feel a bit like one.
That’s because Nissan collaborated with NASA to develop seating technology that prioritizes comfort and ergonomics.
When NASA was designing seats for astronauts embarking on missions to space, comfort was critical.
Astronauts would spend long hours seated, so engineers crafted space capsule seats designed to align naturally with the human body’s shape.
The success of this design can be measured by the fact that no astronaut has publicly complained about sore backs after returning from space—yet.
This collaboration has benefited Nissan drivers, starting with the 2022 model lineup. Nissan’s Zero Gravity Seats are available in a variety of vehicles, including the Maxima, Altima, Titan, and Versa.
Unfortunately, high-performance models like the GT-R and Z feature sports seats instead, prioritizing speed and handling over comfort.
7. Drowsiness Detector
Drowsy Driver Detection Systems
A potentially life-saving advancement in modern cars is a feature designed to warn you when driving becomes dangerous due to fatigue.
While you likely already know that a highway is no place for a nap, extreme exhaustion can sometimes lead to drowsiness behind the wheel.
Modern vehicles now include systems capable of detecting when you’re about to nod off, issuing warnings to prevent potential accidents.
These systems use various configurations. Some, like GM’s Supercruise, rely on dashboard cameras to monitor the driver’s behavior.
Others use lane departure systems to keep drivers alert. Advanced systems, such as Mercedes-Benz’s Attention Assist, incorporate sophisticated algorithms that analyze driving habits and trigger warnings when unusual patterns, like erratic steering, are detected.
This isn’t entirely new technology. Toyota introduced its first drowsiness detection system in select Toyota and Lexus models in 2006.
By 2008, the Toyota Crown received an upgraded system capable of determining whether the driver’s eyes were open or closed.
Today, most manufacturers use a coffee cup icon to signal a warning, often accompanied by audible alerts or steering wheel vibrations.
If you own a newer car—or even an older luxury model—you may already have this feature and not even realize it.
8. Night Vision
Night vision technology, widely recognized for its use in military hardware, has made its way into the automotive world.
By using infrared and thermal imaging, night vision systems allow drivers to detect objects, particularly animals, in total darkness.
This is especially beneficial for those traveling on rural highways or through remote areas where wildlife collisions can be both dangerous and costly.
The first car to offer night vision was the Cadillac DeVille in 2000. Developed in partnership with Raytheon and Delphi, it used infrared sensors to project an image onto the heads-up display.
However, its steep $2,000 price tag and low consumer interest led to the feature’s discontinuation in 2004.
With the advancement of digital screens and more affordable technology, night vision is making a comeback. Today’s systems are more effective and easier to integrate into vehicles.
While still predominantly found in high-end models from the past five years, older Cadillacs with night vision systems may also be out there.
9. Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS)
F1 race cars pioneered a technology called the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), which captures energy from braking and stores it in a flywheel.
This stored energy can then be used to deliver a boost of power during acceleration, particularly when exiting corners.
While newer hybrid systems have since replaced KERS in racing, its foundational concept has been adapted for consumer vehicles.
Mazda introduced its version, called i-ELOOP, in 2012. This system captures energy during deceleration and stores it in a capacitor for later use, reducing the electrical load on the engine and improving fuel efficiency.
Unlike traditional alternators, Mazda’s system uses a free-spinning armature that continues to generate energy even when the engine is idling. The stored energy can then power the car’s electrical systems, enhancing fuel economy by about 10%.
i-ELOOP is available on many Mazda models today. If you’re curious whether your car is equipped with this feature, check your VIN or consult your owner’s manual.
10. Active Anti-Roll Bars
Most cars are equipped with sway bars, which are rigid yet flexible steel bars attached to the suspension. Their purpose is to counteract body roll during cornering, keeping the car stable.
Traditionally, this was achieved with simple mechanical bars about an inch thick. However, advancements in technology have led to the development of active anti-roll bars, which offer greater precision and performance.
This innovation is especially useful for SUVs, which tend to have larger and taller bodies prone to significant body roll.
Active anti-roll bars use electric servo motors powered by 48-volt systems to adjust their stiffness based on inputs from sensors around the vehicle.
The car’s ECU calculates the necessary adjustments to keep the body level during turns and provide a smooth ride on straight roads.
Due to the complexity and cost of these systems, active anti-roll bars are currently found only in high-end vehicles such as the Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Cayenne, and Audi RS Q8.
Modern cars are brimming with innovative features, some of which might go unnoticed if you don’t take the time to explore.
From hands-free convenience to cutting-edge connectivity and astronaut-inspired comfort, these features are designed to enhance the driving experience in surprising ways.