Must-Have Features for Indian Cars

As car buying patterns evolve in India, the consumer preference for vehicles with better safety, comfort, connectivity, and convenience features is growing. Whether buying a new car or opting for a used vehicle, it’s a good idea to understand how these features benefit buyers. Some add utility and convenience, while others can be considered the bare minimum that a modern vehicle must have. This guide will run through all the must-have features (and a few that can be categorised as a ‘want’ more than a must-have) that vehicles come equipped with, and how they impact your daily driving experience.

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Basic Features: Must-Haves for Every Car

While there are some features that can be deemed frivolous or an extravagance, certain features, like safety, need to be looked at as bare essentials for a vehicle.
 

Safety Basics

• Pre-tentioned Seat belts: Despite their simplicity, seat belts remain the cornerstone of car safety, saving countless lives during accidents. In India, seat belts are mandatory for all passengers.
   
• Airbags: Dual front airbags are now standard for all vehicles produced after April, 2021, with side and curtain airbags available in higher trims, offering enhanced safety for all occupants.
   
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS): ABS prevents wheels from locking up during hard braking, ensuring stability and control—a crucial feature on India’s varied road surfaces. This feature is mandatory for all cars on sale from April, 2019.

Comfort Essentials

• Air conditioning: India has a predominantly hot and humid climate, which makes air conditioning an absolute necessity for a comfortable ride.
   
• Power windows: These are not just about convenience; they also enhance safety by allowing quick control over windows, especially for children.
   
• Adjustable seats: Ergonomically-designed adjustable seats improve driving comfort and reduce fatigue during long journeys.

Entertainment Basics

• AM/FM radio: Although basic, radio remains a popular source of entertainment, especially for long drives.
   
• USB ports: These allow passengers to charge their devices and play personal media, adding a layer of convenience.
   
• Bluetooth connectivity: A modern essential, Bluetooth enables hands-free calls and wireless music streaming, ensuring safe and enjoyable drives.

Advanced Safety Features

Advanced safety features like rear parking sensors, speed warning systems, and electronic stability control (ESC) are becoming standard in modern cars. These systems reduce risks by assisting drivers in avoiding accidents and maintaining control during challenging driving conditions.

• Rear parking sensors and cameras: These features are indispensable in crowded urban areas, helping drivers park and manoeuvre in tight spaces.
   
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC): ESC reduces the risk of skidding and maintains vehicle control during abrupt turns or on slippery roads.
   
• Adaptive cruise control: This high-tech safety feature automatically adjusts speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, adding convenience during highway driving.

Connectivity and Infotainment Features

Connectivity features in vehicles are becoming increasingly more common, and it’s not hard to see why. Whether it’s something as basic as an auxiliary input for your smartphone or advanced navigation systems, these connectivity features make life on the move a lot more enjoyable.
 

Touchscreen Infotainment Systems

Touchscreen infotainment systems have transitioned from a luxury to a necessity in many car segments. These systems offer intuitive control over entertainment, navigation, and connectivity features, catering to tech-savvy Indian buyers.
 

Smartphone Integration: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a game-changer. These systems provide seamless access to apps, music, and maps, enabling distraction-free driving while staying connected.
 

Voice Recognition and Navigation Systems

Voice recognition systems add a layer of convenience by allowing drivers to control infotainment functions without taking their hands off the wheel. Integrated navigation systems ensure hassle-free travel, offering real-time traffic updates and route optimisation.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Comfort and convenience features, as the names suggest, are there to make your life in the cabin altogether more pleasant and relaxing.
 

• Keyless entry and push-start ignition: These features eliminate the need for traditional keys, enhancing convenience in stop-and-go urban traffic.
   
• Automatic climate control: This ensures a consistent cabin temperature, adjusting airflow and cooling levels automatically.
   
• Rear AC vents: Particularly important in India, where rear seat passengers often suffer in the absence of proper airflow.
   
• Adjustable steering column: It enhances driver comfort by allowing adjustments to suit individual preferences.
   
• Seat-height adjustment: As important as an adjustable steering column, being able to adjust your seat height makes it easy for short and tall drivers to get comfortable behind the wheel.

Performance-Enhancing Features

These features improve the driving experience by enhancing speed, stability, and fuel efficiency, especially on Indian roads that range from well-paved highways to under-construction segments.

• Turbocharged engines: These offer higher performance without compromising fuel efficiency, ideal for Indian highways and steep terrains.
   
• Drive modes: Modes like eco, comfort, and sport allow drivers to adjust their driving experience to road conditions and personal preferences. Typically, these modes alter steering heft, accelerator response, gearshift speed, and suspension characteristics.
   
• Advanced suspension systems: Advanced suspension setups ensure smoother and comfortable rides, even on uneven and pothole-ridden Indian roads. Some examples include air dampers, continuous damping control, air spring ride height sensors, and body roll control monitors.

Luxury Features

Certain vehicles that command a premium price tag come with features that elevate the driving experience to a whole new level. These features aren’t necessarily essential, but the opulence they bring to a cabin can’t be denied.
 

• Leather upholstery: This adds a premium feel to the cabin, enhancing the overall experience for passengers.
   
• Panoramic sunroof: A panoramic sunroof not only elevates the aesthetics of a car but also provides an immersive experience during scenic drives. While there are plenty of new cars with a panoramic sunroof, plenty of used vehicles also have the option of a sunroof.
   
• Ambient lighting: Interior lighting with customisable colours adds an element of sophistication and personalisation.
   
• Electric seat adjustments with memory functions: These allow drivers to save their preferred seating positions, adding a layer of convenience for multiple users.
   
• Premium sound systems: Brands like Bose and Harman Kardon deliver an unmatched audio experience, ideal for music enthusiasts and audiophiles.
   
• Wireless charging: This feature provides hassle-free charging for compatible smartphones, reducing clutter in the cabin.
   

Practical Features for Daily Use

Modern vehicles have a lot of practical inclusions aside from the bare necessities. From something as small as cup holders, to something convenient like rain-sensing wipers, practical car features elevate every driving experience.

• Ample boot space: With families often traveling with luggage, a spacious boot is a key requirement.
   
• Cup holders and glove compartments: These storage options add practicality, ensuring essentials like water bottles and documents are always within reach and not rattling about in the footwell area.
   
• Foldable rear seats: They provide flexibility for carrying large or odd-shaped items.
   
• Roof rails: Roof rails are particularly useful for long trips, allowing additional luggage to be carried externally.
   
• Electric ORVMs: Electrically-adjustable and foldable outside rear view mirrors improve visibility and convenience.
   
• Rain-sensing wipers: These automatically activate during rainfall, ensuring clear visibility and hassle-free driving.

Eco-Friendly Features

If fuel efficiency is a priority for you, then be on the lookout for these eco-friendly features that maximise the range your vehicle gives you.

• Electric or hybrid car features: As India transitions to greener mobility, features like regenerative braking, fast charging ports, and EV-specific apps are becoming essential.
   
• Start/stop functionality: This feature automatically turns off the engine during stops, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions, making it perfect for India’s stop-and-go traffic conditions.

Features to Look for in a Used Car

If you’re in the market for a used car, the fact of the matter is that they come with a few drawbacks. One of those drawbacks is that they won’t be as feature-rich as newer vehicles. That said, used cars should still include some essentials.

• Functional basics: Ensure that essential features like airbags, air conditioning, and ABS are in good working condition.
   
• Avoid outdated technologies: Check for modern infotainment systems and avoid cars with obsolete features, which can affect resale value.
   
• Inspect wear and tear: Premium features like leather seats, sunroofs, and electric seat adjustments should be inspected for functionality and damage.
   
• Service history: Review the car’s service records to ensure regular maintenance, especially for critical components.

Future-Ready Features

As cars continuously evolve, there are many features designed with an eye on the future. These might not seem incredibly essential today, but as vehicles get more advanced, certain features will become indispensable.

• Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication: This emerging technology enables cars to communicate with infrastructure, other vehicles, and pedestrians, enhancing road safety and efficiency.
   
• Over-the-air updates: Cars with software-updatable systems ensure that features remain relevant and functional as technology evolves.
   
• Semi-autonomous driving: While still in its infancy in India, features like lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking hint at the future of mobility.

Conclusion

The Indian car market in 2024 offers a rich blend of features, catering to all sorts of buyer needs. From basic safety essentials to advanced connectivity and luxury options, today’s cars are equipped to handle the challenges of Indian roads while offering unparalleled comfort and convenience.

As technology advances and sustainability takes centre stage, understanding and prioritising must-have car features is key to making a smart purchase. Whether buying new or used, selecting the right features ensures that every drive is safe, enjoyable, and future-ready.