10 New Car Features That Aren't Worth the Money

Today’s cars are loaded with new technology and fancy add-ons. But many of these flashy features simply aren’t worth the cost to produce them.

If you are trying to get ahead financially, you probably could do without these new-car features that add to the cost of the vehicle but don’t offer much value to drivers.

Electric door handles have become more popular in recent years. These handles are flush with the door, which reduces drag. That can provide a small boost to gas mileage or electric-vehicle range.

However, these door handles require extra moving parts, which could cost you money if they break. They also don’t perform as well in cold weather, as they tend to ice over easier than a typical door handle.

GPS navigation has come a long way since the early aughts, when drivers would print out directions to take with them on the road.

However, car-based navigation isn’t really a great deal in an era when you can just use navigation on your smartphone, which is probably more up to date than an in-car system anyway.

Glossy trim can give you a good-looking, extra-shiny interior.

However, it also can look extra dirty because small specks of dirt and fingerprints show up more easily on a glossy finish than on a typical finish.

Low-profile tires on high-end cars or sporty vehicles look great and perform well under the right circumstances.

But a low-profile tire can also kick up extra dirt and debris, costing you more money due to potential damage to the car.

This type of tire might give you a rougher ride. And low-profile tires don’t work well in snow, making them a hard sell if you live anywhere with four seasons.

Night vision may be more of a fancy add-on than a practical feature that can help you drive in trying conditions.

The night vision may not offer that much more detail than you get when you are driving with your headlights on.

One of the most basic things you must know as a driver is how to switch a car from drive to reverse to park. But some car companies are changing their gear-shifting knobs, making it harder to figure out what you’re doing.

Other companies such as Tesla have put gear shifting on a touchscreen, taking away the tactical feel that many drivers prefer when shifting a car into different gears.

Touchscreens have become more sophisticated in recent years, allowing you to send texts, navigate streets, play music, and even adjust climate controls from the screen.

However, putting all those things on one touchscreen can potentially distract drivers from the road ahead.

It can be helpful to have pre-programmed settings for things such as your steering wheel or seat. That is especially true if you regularly share your car with another driver.

But some motorized features are less useful. Sure, a motorized rear-view mirror is slightly more convenient. But it’s just one more thing that can break and require a repair.

Is it really such a chore to adjust the mirror by hand when you get into the car?

Some car manufacturers are going digital with apps that you can download to your phone to start your car remotely or unlock your doors.

However, these apps might still have glitches that cause them to not work as well as a typical key fob. They also can clutter up your smartphone.

New features such as heated seats and hands-free driving technology sound like fun. But that excitement can turn to frustration when you find out you can only unlock access by paying an extra subscription fee.

Make sure you know about a car’s subscription fees before you decide to buy the vehicle.

With or without these features, cars can be expensive. So, it always pays to look for ways to cut your costs.

One great way to trim the tab of owning a vehicle is to shop around and gather quotes so you can save on car insurance.

You might also consider putting away some extra cash in your emergency fund in case you have to cover unexpected repair bills. That way, you won’t be forced into debt to pay for fixes.