The comfort and convenience features in modern cars, combined with increasingly sophisticated infotainment systems, have transformed vehicles into enjoyable spaces for both drivers and passengers far beyond their original purpose of simply getting from point A to point B.
However, amid all this technological advancement, there are plenty of instances where car manufacturers have prioritized style over function, and sometimes even opted for quirkiness over practicality.
Modern vehicles are packed with features, many of which have become essential enhancements to the driving experience. From navigation systems and smartphone integration to remote start and heated seats, the list of conveniences keeps growing.
Automakers are constantly on the hunt for groundbreaking innovations to set their vehicles apart from the competition. While some ideas turn into game-changing successes, others end up being downright peculiar. Throughout the automobile’s century-plus history, not every new feature has been a winner.
In this article, we take a look at 10 of the most bizarre car options ever introduced. Whether they’re oddly obscure, entirely impractical, or just plain absurd, we’ve got them all covered. Here are some of the strangest features ever fitted to a car.
1. BYD Atto 3 Guitar Strings
The BYD Atto 3 is one of the more budget-friendly electric vehicles currently available in Australia, but it comes with a few literal strings attached though not in a bad way.
These strings are actually three bungee-style cords stretched across the side pockets inside the Atto 3’s doors.
Beyond their practical function of securing items like drink bottles in place, they can also be strummed like a guitar.
Each string produces a different note when plucked, bringing an entirely new dimension to the concept of having a finely tuned set of wheels.
2. NGS Button on Hyundai N Vehicles
Hyundai’s N performance cars include a feature designed purely to remind drivers of the exhilaration that comes with owning a high-performance vehicle.
Positioned at the bottom-right corner of the steering wheel in N series models, the NGS button provides an instant boost in engine power while also downshifting the transmission.
This results in an exciting burst of acceleration, accompanied by a deep and satisfying engine roar one that’s almost certain to put a smile on any driver’s face.
It’s called NGS, which stands for ‘N Grin Shift,’ and while the boost lasts for just 20 seconds, that brief moment is more than enough to deliver the thrill it’s meant to provide.
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3. Hyundai Santa Fe UV-C Sterilisation Tray
While it may have arrived too late to be useful during the COVID pandemic, a unique feature in the Hyundai Santa Fe could prove invaluable in future health crises.
Located just above the glovebox, this compartment houses a special tray designed to sterilise items using ultraviolet (UV) light.
The concept is simple: frequently handled objects like mobile phones, wallets, purses, and house keys can be placed inside for disinfection. According to Hyundai, the system is capable of eliminating 99.9 per cent of germs in just 10 minutes.
4. Sounds of Nature by Kia and Hyundai
Who hasn’t wished they could escape to a peaceful rainforest instead of sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic? For some lucky Kia and Hyundai drivers, that escape is now just a button press away.
Using recordings captured from different locations around the world, the Sounds of Nature feature is integrated into the vehicles’ infotainment systems.
Depending on the model, users can choose from a variety of ambient soundscapes, including wind, birds, forest, and water.
Kia even suggests that listening to these natural background sounds can help stimulate creativity.
According to the company, engaging with these soothing noises “increases the alpha waves in the brain, inducing the flow state of consciousness the state in which the brain is at its most creative.”
So, if you’re feeling inspired to create something while on the road, your next artistic spark might be just a sound selection away.
5. Moody Fragrances by Mercedes
While inbuilt fragrance dispensers are not a new concept, Mercedes took things a step further when they introduced the feature in their EQS electric vehicle.
One standout scent is No.6 Mood Linen, a fragrance crafted exclusively for the EQS. Mercedes describes its composition as being inspired by the aroma of figs specifically, “the fig has been placed on a subtle patch of linen.”
As you drive, a fresh, fig-infused fragrance is designed to drift through the air-conditioning vents, enveloping you in a calming atmosphere at least, according to Mercedes’ marketing.
For years, the brand has offered a selection of in-car fragrances through its Air Balance package.
These include exotic options like Pacific Mood (featuring lemon and orange notes blended with spices), Freeside Mood (with hints of cedar, patchouli, and ambergris), and Nightlife Mood (a cool, spicy mix of cardamom and pink pepper).
6. Genesis’ Crystal Sphere
Instead of a conventional rotary dial for selecting gears, Genesis opted for a more artistic approach in their GV60 electric vehicle (EV)—a rotating crystal sphere.
At first glance, the sphere appears purely decorative, glowing with soft, ambient lighting. However, press it to rotate, and it seamlessly transforms into the car’s gear selector.
If this seems like a feature designed primarily for aesthetics, that’s because it mostly is.
However, Genesis points out a practical benefit the sphere remains locked in place while the vehicle is charging, preventing drivers from accidentally trying to set off with the charging cable still connected.
Another notable innovation in the GV60 is its facial recognition technology, allowing drivers to unlock the car simply by looking at it. However, this futuristic feature is not available in Australian models.
7. Bulletproof Cybertruck
In a country where 44 per cent of people report living in a household with at least one gun, owning a bulletproof vehicle might not seem like such a far-fetched idea.
When the Tesla Cybertruck was first unveiled, Elon Musk boldly claimed that it was resistant to bullets.
However, earlier this year, a U.S. YouTuber put that claim to the test literally by firing a powerful rifle at the vehicle’s exterior, successfully puncturing it. That said, the Cybertruck did manage to withstand bullets from a smaller handgun.
Musk had also initially boasted that the vehicle’s armored glass windows were smash-proof.
But in a now-infamous live demonstration, a small metal ball roughly the size of a squash ball was thrown at the window, which, to everyone’s surprise (and Musk’s embarrassment), promptly shattered.
8. BMW’s Fold-Out Theatre Screen
BMW’s 7 Series and i7 models are reviving the charm of the drive-in movie experience, except now, you don’t even need to leave your car.
The BMW Theatre Mode can be activated using touchscreens embedded into both rear doors.
Once enabled, the vehicle’s blinds automatically roll down over the rear and side windows, dimming the interior to create a true cinematic atmosphere. Then, a 79-centimetre screen smoothly unfolds from the roof.
From there, all that’s left to do is sink into the plush cashmere-covered rear seats, activate the seat massager, and settle in for a movie night (or day) on the road.
Of course, the theatre screen can also be used while the car is in motion, offering rear passengers an immersive entertainment experience on long road trips.
9. In-Car Intercom System
Nobody enjoys shouting just to be heard over a car full of noisy passengers. That’s why Hyundai and Kia have introduced a built-in microphone system designed to amplify the driver’s voice through the vehicle’s speakers.
Known as Passenger Talk, this feature gives parents in the front row a way to make themselves heard and have the final say when kids start getting too loud in the back.
But when all the chatter dies down, there’s also Quiet Mode, which helps create a peaceful atmosphere by turning off the speakers in the second and third rows perfect for letting young passengers doze off.
This feature is available in larger, eight-seater models, including the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Palisade, and Hyundai Santa Fe.
10. Seeing Stars in the Rolls-Royce Ghost
With hundreds of fibre optic lights embedded in the ceiling, the Rolls-Royce Ghost transforms its interior into a breathtaking starry night sky a fitting celestial touch for a car with an equally ‘astronomical’ price tag.
The Starlight Headliner allows passengers to adjust the brightness of their personal galaxy using controls located in the front cabin, ensuring the perfect ambiance for any journey.
These optical fibres are meticulously woven into premium leather, with each star precisely positioned among the 800 to 1,600 perforations in the material, creating an immersive and luxurious experience unlike any other.
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