【How Many Does Your Car Have?】A Rundown of 10 Useless Car Features in 2026

Since the rise of electric vehicles, central infotainment screens have become standard equipment, gradually turning into a battleground for major automakers competing over who can deliver larger and sharper displays. This "arms race" has even stretched right in front of the front passenger seat with the addition of a dedicated passenger-side screen.

To be fair, dual or pillar-to-pillar screens that span nearly the entire cabin are visually stunning and certainly spark plenty of buzz for a new car. However, passenger-side screens are strictly form over function. Setting aside the fact that only the front passenger can use it, the screen sits at a noticeable distance from the passenger seat, making it awkward to reach from a normal seating position. It is both cumbersome to operate and of low practical value. What’s worse, staring at a screen for extended periods while in motion easily induces motion sickness—making it arguably one of the most pointless pieces of automotive equipment in recent years.

Over the past decade or so, calls for emissions reduction have grown increasingly vocal, placing the automotive industry squarely on the front line. This has spurred numerous features aimed at cutting carbon emissions, with the engine Start/Stop system being a prime example. The original intent of the engine Start/Stop feature is to automatically shut off the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete standstill—such as at a red light—and restart it the moment the driver releases the brake pedal, thereby curtailing exhaust emissions during idle waiting times.

However, the lag experienced when the engine restarts makes pull-away response sluggish, potentially leading to misjudgments that can cause traffic accidents. Furthermore, when the engine cuts out, the air-conditioning compressor stops running, making the cabin stuffy and uncomfortably hot during scorching summer days. As a result, many drivers make it their very first move to switch this feature off the moment they get into the car.

Autonomous driving is an undeniable trend, and Lane Departure Assist is one such feature designed to continuously monitor whether a vehicle is drifting out of its lane. Under ideal driving conditions, Lane Departure Assist certainly serves its purpose. However, if its sensors are calibrated too aggressively—such as immediately intervening with steering corrections (commonly known as "tugging the wheel" or "fighting for control") whenever the car merely grazes a lane marking during a turn—it actually makes it harder for the driver to predict their intended trajectory. For inexperienced drivers, this sudden intervention can easily lead to panic or overcorrection, triggering an accident.

In addition, the vast majority of automakers set Lane Departure Assist as a default-on feature that activates automatically every time the car starts up. Drivers who prefer not to use it are forced to manually turn it off each time they get behind the wheel, making it both tedious and frustrating.

To create a high-tech vibe, many new cars tout features such as massive screens, projection technology, and button-free designs. Among these, Gesture Control was conceived specifically to inject a dose of "sci-fi flair," allowing drivers to operate the audio system, air conditioning, and other functions simply through various hand movements. However, the complicated gestures are not only difficult to remember, but more frustratingly, recognition accuracy remains notably low. With practical utility falling short, users have gradually abandoned it in favor of far more straightforward physical buttons, turning gesture recognition into little more than a new-car gimmick.

Today, many smartphones feature wireless charging capabilities. To enhance convenience for drivers, numerous automakers have added wireless charging pads to their cabins—a touch that is especially common in electric vehicles. However, not only is wireless charging slower and less efficient than a wired connection, but it also generates significant heat. Unless a dedicated air vent directs airflow onto the charging area, phones frequently trigger high-temperature warnings during sweltering summer days. As a result, some newer car models in recent years have begun incorporating dedicated cooling vents directly into the charging pad to boost heat dissipation.

Moreover, for camera-centric smartphones with prominent camera bumps, the protruding lenses prevent the phone's back from sitting flush against the wireless charging pad. In the end, drivers are often forced to revert to a charging cable or install a separate aftermarket wireless charging phone mount anyway.

Puddle lights installed at the bottom of car doors project illumination or a brand logo onto the ground whenever a door is opened. Originally introduced on luxury vehicles as a hallmark of prestige, this feature inspired mainstream automakers across the board to adopt welcome lights on their own models to add an upscale touch. In terms of practical utility, however, unless it casts a broad beam of light that helps passengers see puddles and ground hazards when stepping out, projecting a brand emblem onto the pavement offers virtually zero function—serving as little more than a nod to vanity.

Because electric vehicles have no internal combustion engine, they run far more quietly than petrol cars—a characteristic that many drivers feel robs them of mechanical feedback and driving engagement. To cater to EV owners who still yearn for the sensory feel of a petrol car, some automakers have introduced synthesized engine sounds in their electric models, playing one or several simulated engine notes through the cabin speakers.In reality, simulated engine sounds add zero practical value or performance benefit to actual driving dynamics. Instead, they often disrupt what would otherwise be a quiet, serene cabin environment simply to provide drivers with an artificial "sensory thrill." Once owners get used to EV driving, the vast majority end up switching this feature off permanently.

Digital side mirrors first made appearances on concept cars years ago, projecting a futuristic, sci-fi aura that certainly generated plenty of conversation. While they have finally made their way onto production vehicles in recent years, user feedback has leaned far more negative than positive. The primary gripe is that judging the actual distance of vehicles behind becomes difficult on a flat display screen. Additionally, the fixed camera viewing angle lacks the natural, flexible perspective shifts achieved by simply moving one's head with conventional glass mirrors. This severely degrades the driving experience, leaving many owners wishing they had stuck with standard side mirrors instead.

Listening to music and watching videos are "traditional" forms of in-car multimedia entertainment. In an effort to offer something novel, several automakers have built in-car karaoke features, allowing passengers to belt out tunes on the go using bundled wireless microphones. While undeniably novel, belting out songs at full volume while in motion can easily distract the driver and impair their concentration. Even when the car is parked, genuine opportunities to use the feature are few and far between, cementing its status as little more than a marketing gimmick.

Originally conceived to assist drivers whose hands are full of groceries or cargo, the concept is simple: step up to the rear bumper, swipe a foot underneath, and the tailgate automatically glides open without needing to reach for a key fob or press a button. The design intent is undeniably thoughtful. In practice, however, reality tells a very different story. Drivers can rarely pinpoint the sensor's exact detection zone, ending up performing repeated awkward         "sweeping leg kicks" behind the car. On top of that, poor sensor sensitivity means that even if you kick within the designated area, you are left wondering whether the sensor malfunctioned or your placement was off. Repeated failed attempts quickly erode user patience and confidence, reducing what was supposed to be a convenient hands-free system into an urban myth of a feature.